MYRModel Year Report

1999 Mazda Protege

◆ Worse than typical
1999 Mazda Protege
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:41:13.436Z

This year had 30% to 100% more 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
88
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1999

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Power train

25% 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 1995 1996: 70 complaints 1997: 66 complaints 1998: 46 complaints 1999: 88 complaints 1999 88 2000: 102 complaints 2001: 50 complaints 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 1998: 46 complaints 1999: 88 complaints 1999 88 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 1998: 46 complaints 1998 1999: 88 complaints 1999 88 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

1999: 88 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.

Power train

25% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and clutch assembly.

CRASH

Air bags

24% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Brakes failed which caused consumer to hit a steel beam pole. There there were no brake indicators prior to accident, after the impact airbags did not deploy, and consumer sustained major injuries.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-02

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Consumer states that while driving the vehicle was involved in a car crash where the air bags did not deployed. Mazda was notified.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-30

While driving at aprroximately 50 MPH ,driver hit another vehicle head-on ,and dual airbags did not deploy, causing injuries. No warning of airbags being inoperative.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-12-16

Tires

14% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt and valve.

Engine and engine cooling

9% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing engine and belts and associated pulleys.

Electrical system

7% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and wiring.

Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Mazda Protege. The contact stated that while driving at any speed, the instrument panel lights started to flicker and failed to illuminate.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-10-30

Also filed under Exterior lighting

Check engine light on no matter what the reading says change all parts will go off but back on and fail inspection mass air flow sensor has been change three times and cayli. Converter twice.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-03-19

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1999Complaint volume 88 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2000-11-15Equipment00V301000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with a particular factory installed audio unit. If the vehicle is operated at low speed in a hot and humid environment with the window open, air…

    Remedy: Dealers will affix aluminum tape over the audio unit to prevent water from entering.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…

    Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. 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 →

Buy-smart checklist

1999 Mazda Protege — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 22 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 21 reports on file for this year.
  • Tires: 12 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 00V301000 · Equipment
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1999 Mazda Protege reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Mazda Protege is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Mazda Protege?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Mazda Protege have?
3 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.