1990 Mazda Protege

▲ Better than typical

1990 Mazda Protege
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:53:08.003Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

1990: 38 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1989	2
1990	38
1991	51
1992	63
1993	48
1994	75
1995	165
1996	70
1997	66
1998	46
1999	88
2000	102
2001	50
2002	98
2003	120
2004	0
2005	0
2006	0

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SEAT BELTS 58%

58% of complaints: seat belts — 22 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing retractor and buckle assembly.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN OCCUPANT IN AN ACCIDENT. TT CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT. *SLC

NHTSA ODI report, 19951120

SEAT BELT TRACK JAMMED, DEALER WILL NOT COVER, ALTHOUGH THERE APPEARS TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ALREADY. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20120427

THE FRONT AUTOMATIC PASSIVE RESTRAINT SEAT BELTS SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE BECAUSE THE RAIL IS BAD. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPLACE THE RAIL AS STATED IN THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT RAIL RECALL 97V211000.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040526

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13%

13% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing radiator assembly and catalytic convertor.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

CLOGGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSED FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 19960502

VISIBILITY 11%

11% of complaints: visibility — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing heater core and windshield.

STEERING 8%

8% of complaints: steering — 3 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tie rod assembly and idler and attachment.

POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 3 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing constant velocity joint.

Show complaint excerpts

PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AW

NHTSA ODI report, 19940522

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19940728 — PE (closed 19941130)

AUTO RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAIL

I 19941130 — EA (closed 19971126)

AUTO RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAIL

R 20151217 — electrical system

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6.

Campaign 15V674000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1990 Mazda Protege — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for seat belts issues (22 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (5 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for visibility issues (4 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 15V674000 (electrical system) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1998 ● 1993 ● 2001

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ◆ 2003 ◆ 2000

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1990 Mazda Protege reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1990 Mazda Protege is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1990 Mazda Protege?

The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 58% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1990 Mazda Protege have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.