1999 Mazda Protege

◆ Worse than typical

1999 Mazda Protege
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:46:25.652Z

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 PER YEAR

1999: 88 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.

POWER TRAIN 25%

25% of complaints: power train — 22 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and clutch assembly.

CRASH

AIR BAGS 24%

24% of complaints: air bags — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.

CRASH INJURY

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, 20030102

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. *MR

NHTSA ODI report, 20020930

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. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19991216

TIRES 14%

14% of complaints: tires — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tread/belt and valve.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%

9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and belts and associated pulleys.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 6 distinct reports on file, 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, 20151030

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20150319

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1999 — complaint volume: 88

R 20001115 — equipment

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 COND

Remedy: DEALERS WILL AFFIX ALUMINUM TAPE OVER THE AUDIO UNIT TO PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING.

Campaign 00V301000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed