MYRModel Year Report

1997 Mazda Protege

● Typical for this model
1997 Mazda Protege
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:51:50.760Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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
66
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Service brakes

20% of complaints

Complaints per year

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

1997: 66 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19892
199038
199151
199263
199348
199475
1995165
199670
199766
199846
199988
2000102
200150
200298
2003120
20040
20050
20060

Known problem areas

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

Service brakes

20% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Air bags

18% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer driving and suddenly vehicle is out of control, fell into a hole head-on and rolled 3-4 times, all occupants were wearing seat belts. Neither air bag deployed.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-11-13

Driving approximately 50MPH when hit another vehicle directly in the front, neither air bag deployed.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-08-15

Power train

18% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and park/neutral start interlock switch.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

When driving on highway, the overdrive light started to flash and tachometer went to 5000 rpms, vehicle did not accelerate and did not change gear. The second time, driver lost control and hit a curb while driving on slippery road.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-09-10

Engine and engine cooling

14% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing engine and emission control.

Show complaint excerpts

After investigating "Check engine light" Over a period of 5 months, it was determined that a valve problem in the first cylinder was causing a lack of compression and poor engine performance.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-09-14

Vehicle speed control

12% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Cruise control malfunctioned causing sudden acceleration.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-04

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2015-12-17Electrical system15V674000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Mazda Protege — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 13 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 12 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 12 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 15V674000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 Mazda Protege reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Mazda Protege is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Mazda Protege?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Mazda Protege have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.