1989 Mazda PROTEGE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 2 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 1 | 50.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
1995: 1; 2002: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 960055 · 1995-02-15 (February 15, 1995)
WHILE PULLING INTO AN INTERSECTION SUDDENLY IGNITION SWITCH LOCK, RENDERING STEERING CAPABILITY INOPERATIVE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960055 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
2 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 2917.6%ODI 10113499DRIVER WAS HIT FROM BEHIND WHILE SITTING AT AN INTERSECTION ,THEN PUSHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. LEFT FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK | 1724.3%ODI 526548VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DURING A CRASH, RESULTING IN INJURIES. *AK | 1116.7%ODI 538254WARNING LIGHT FOR DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG HAS ILLUMINATED TWICE AND THE UNIT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. | 24.3%ODI 847554WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 55MPH CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED AND THEN WAS HIT FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO THE BACK OF A EIGHTEEN WHEELER, AND NIETHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK | 1415.9%ODI 10019418 · 47,899 miDUE TO COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE HIT A STEEL POLE AND DAMAGED THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MR SCC *JB | 1716.7%ODI 10008759CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.*JB | 48.0%ODI 10024845CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH AND AS A RESULT OF A HEAD ON CRASH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ANY TIME.*AK | 55.1%ODI 10037677WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK | 21.7%ODI 10062776 · 1,204 miI WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION IN MY 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE5 WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 10-20MPH. THE OTHER PARTY WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 20-25MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER DIDN'T WORK (I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT) AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS INFATED. THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR WAS MAINLY STRUCTURAL, ESTIMATES TO FIX THE CAR WERE APPROXIMATELY $13,000-$14,000, SUBSEQUENTLY THE CAR WAS 'TOTALED'. TO DESCRIBE THE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE, THE FRAME WAS BENT, THE RIGHT FENDER AND STRUCTURAL PARTS UNDERNEATH WERE BUCKLED AT THE WINDSHIE… |
| Seat Belts | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1129.7%ODI 10456720 · 206,250 miSEAT BELT TRACK JAMMED, DEALER WILL NOT COVER, ALTHOUGH THERE APPEARS TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ALREADY. *TR | 815.7%ODI 10819069 · 90,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 MAZDA PROTEGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH DURING RAIN WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A POTHOLE CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STOPPING ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT THEN ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE SPUN CRASHING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE INTO A TREE. THE SEAT BELT DETACHED AND THE CONTACT WAS RELEASED FROM THE REAR WINDOW. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED KNEE, HEAD, AND … | 1422.2% | 1022.7%ODI 102795741) I HAVE A 93 MAZDA 323/PROTEGE AND THE SEAT BELT WERE RECALLED ACCORDING TO THE WEB SIT SAFERCARS.GOV. NHTSA ID NO.97V211000 2)THE SEAT BELT LIGHT WAS ON MY VEHICLE AND THE BELT REFUSES TO MOVE ON THE RAIL SOME TIMES. IN ADDITION THE BUZZER COMES ON WHILE I AM DRIVING AND THE BELT TENDS TO MOVE SLIGHTLY UP AND DOWN WHILE I AM DRIVING. 3) I TOOK THE CAR INTO MAZDA TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND THE DEALER SAID THAT ITS GOING TO BE $ 98.95 TO HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT. IF THEY FIND A PROBLEM THAT IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE PARTS ON THE RECALL TH… | 2229.7%ODI 10036608 · 95,000 miBOTH FRONT PASSENGER RESTRAINTS FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY. THE RESTRAINTS DO NOT RETRACT. I HAVE HAD THEM FIXED AT LEAST 3 TO 4 TIMES DURING THE WARRANTY. *NLM | 10.6%ODI 826933THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT IS STUCK IN A FORWARD POSITION, CAUSING THE SHOULDER BELT TO BE INOPERATIVE WHICH WILL NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 11.5%ODI 864152DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT CABLE WILL NOT RELEASE FROM THE RETRACTING MECHANISM, CAUSING SEAT BELTS TO BECOME INOPERABLE. CABLE OF BELT IS STICKING OUT OF TRACK AND MOTORS HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED BECAUSE THEY WERE RUNNING ALL THE TIME AND RAN DOWN THE BATTERY. *AK *ML | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 11.1%ODI 10301694 · 140,000 miPASSENGER SIDE REAR SEAT BELT AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR DOES NOT STAY LOCKED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAFELY INSTALL A CHILD SAFETY SEAT. THE SEAT BELT WAS RARELY IF EVER USED UNTIL THE CAR SEAT WAS INSTALLED. *TR | 22.0%ODI 10044140CONSUMER STATED THAT 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO VEHICLE BEING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT SEAT BELT LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND OFF. THEN, WHEN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, SEAT BELT DID NOT WORK, AND AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED CERVICAL STRAIN/KNEE AND LOWER BACK INJURIES. *AK | 24.0%ODI 10015803 · 25,500 miTHE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEATS BELT UNLATCHED. *JB | 1414.3%ODI 10119942 · 29,000 miON MARCH 15, 2005 I WAS INVOLVED IN A PILE-UP ACCIDENT. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN ME FROM HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MY CHEST. I HAD A FRACTURED RIB. MY CAR IS A MAZDA PROTEGE 5 AND THE VIN3 IS: [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR | 1512.5%ODI 10152845 · 33,000 miI WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING AN '03 MAZDA PROTEGE5. UPON IMPACT MY SEAT BELT FAILED. *JB |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 23.9% | 34.8% | 12.3%ODI 784270AUTO TRANSMISSION FAILURE CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND THE HOLD LIGHT COMES ON DURING PARKING. *ET | 22.7%ODI 806147WHEN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS GEARS THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK | 106.1%ODI 10023318 · 60,128 miTRANSMISSION FAILED AT 60128 MILES. THIS OCCURRED WHILE I WAS PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH MADE IT A SAFETY ISSUE. LUCKILY THE VEHICLE THAT I WAS PASSING DECIDED TO SPEED UP SO THAT I COULD GET BACK INTO MY LANE BEFORE ANOTHER VEHICLE CAME ALONG WHICH WOULD HAVE ENDED UP IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. *NLM | 34.3%ODI 10046062WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED THAT TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. AFTER BEING INSPECTED CONSUMER CONCLUDED THAT TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK | 57.6%ODI 523217WHEN 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. *AK | 1226.1%ODI 10011635THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DROP INTO A LOWER GEAR, AN THE ENGINE ACTED AS THOUGH IT WOULD STALL AND THEN BUCKED ERRATICALLY. *TS *JB | 1618.2%ODI 10000826 · 66,000 miI BOUGHT A NEW MAZDA PROTEGE IN 1999. I HAVE TAKEN EVERY PRECAUTION TO MAKE SURE MY CAR WAS TAKEN CARE OF. I DID ALL THE MAINTENANCE THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE DONE WHEN THEY WERE DUE. AFTER ALL THE CARE I TOOK, MY CAR'S TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON DEC. 31, 2002 WITH ONLY 66,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THEY SAID IT WOULD BE $2200 TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION. I FEEL THE CAR SHOULD HAVE LASTED LONGER THAN 66,000 MILES. SHOULD THERE BE A RECALL ON THESE CARS? I ALSO FEEL THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE LIABLE. | 2423.5%ODI 10004469 · 49,800 miWHILE DRIVING ENGINE AND OVERDRIVE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT VEHICLE REQUIRES NEW TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR AND OTHER ENGINE WORK. CONSUMER VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE VEHICLE MILEAGE WA SLOW AND MAINTAINED REGULARLY. TS. *AK | 36.0%ODI 10086275 · 53,478 miWHILE DRIVING MY MAZDA PROTEGE TO WORK WHEN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT DOWN INTO FIRST GEAR. AFTER SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AND BACK TO DRIVE, TRANS SHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR. DROVE NORMALLY FOR NEXT 15 MILES TO WORK. WHEN LEAVING FOR LUNCH, TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY AFTER 15 SECONDS IN DRIVE. CAR IS 3 YRS 3 MONTHS OLD, WAS BOUGHT NEW AND HAD 53,000 MILES AT TIME OF FAILURE. CAR HAD BEEN CAREFULLY MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER'S SCHEDULE. DEALER'S SERVICE REP SAID CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND WOULD NOT CONSIDER ANY ASSISTANCE … | 1313.3%ODI 10014468 · 500 miWE PURCHASED A NEW 2002 MAZDA PROTEGE LX IN 08/2002. WITHIN DAYS WE WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. SOMETIMES JUST HESITATION IN ACCELERATION AND SHIFTING. FREQUENT FAILURE TO SHIFT AT ALL OR FAILURE TO SHIFT FOR PROLONGED INTERVALS (SOMETIMES MILES). OCCASIONAL SLAMMING INTO GEAR AND CAR LURCHING FORWARD. WE HAVE HAD 3 INCIDENTS THAT ALMOST LEAD TO ACCIDENTS. WE HAVE HAD CAR IN FOR REPAIRS ON 5 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. LETTER OF NOTIFICATION OF DEFECT TO MANUFACTURER SENT TO MAZ… | 32.5%ODI 10062733 · 18,157 miMY TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED AT 18,000 MILES AND ONE MONTH SHY OF BEING A YEAR OLD. A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED. I HAD MY CAR BACK FOR ONE WEEK AND THE NEW TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWN SHIFT FOR NO REASON AS I WAS DOING 70 MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE. AFTER REPLACING THE COMPUTER, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, THROTTLE RANGE SENSOR, AND THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, MAZDA HAS NOW DECIDED TO REPLACE THE NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TRANSMISSION IN A YEAR OLD CAR. *JB |
| Air Bags | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 12.0%ODI 10819069 · 90,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 MAZDA PROTEGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH DURING RAIN WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A POTHOLE CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STOPPING ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT THEN ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE SPUN CRASHING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE INTO A TREE. THE SEAT BELT DETACHED AND THE CONTACT WAS RELEASED FROM THE REAR WINDOW. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED KNEE, HEAD, AND … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 11.4% | 116.7%ODI 10039296 · 125,000 mi1995 MAZDA PROTEGE. BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHEN MY DAUGHTER HIT A CURB. NO OTHER DAMAGE WAS EVIDENT. TIRES AND RIMS HAD NO DAMAGE. THE BAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. RECALL 95V184000 DESCRIBES PROBLEM WITH INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT ON THIS VEHICLE. MAZDA CLAIMS THAT MY DAUGHTERS VEHICLE WAS FIXED IN 1995. THIS UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACT CAUSED THE BAGS TO DEPLOY HURTING MY DAUGHTER AND THE PASSENGER SIDE BAG DOOR CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. VERY EXPENSIVE ITEMS TO FIX FOR NO REASON. *JB | 57.1%ODI 10099934 · 84,000 miCONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHILE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, WHICH CAUSED A CHAIN REACTION WITH TWO OTHER VEHICLES. CONSUMER'S HEAD IMPACTED THE STEERING WHEEL , THE SEAT BACK, AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL AGAIN. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 12.2%ODI 11437046Straight-on, front-end collision occurred, that destroyed radiator and folded hood. Air bag did not deploy. | 78.0%ODI 10002271 · 92,532 miTHE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, WHERE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. TS SCC | 87.8%ODI 10007433 · 37,600 miI WAS IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT. I HIT A GUARD RAIL, WENT THROUGH IT AND ROLLED DOWN A 30 FOOT EMBANKMENT. I SUFFERED NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES AND BACK INJURIES. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN A CAR SINCE THIS ACCIDENT. IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM A NURSE SAID I HAD A POSSIBLE SPINAL COMPRESSION FRACTURE. I THOUGHT MY CAR WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE AIR BAGS, I SAW THE CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE ACCIDENT YESTERDAY. THE WHOLE CAR IS BEAT UP...THE ROOF, THE FRONT, THE BACK BOTH SIDES, AND NOT EVEN 1 OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I AM SO GRATEFUL MY CAR HAD SUCH A HIG… | 612.0%ODI 10015803 · 25,500 miTHE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEATS BELT UNLATCHED. *JB | 33.1%ODI 10057041 · 55,000 miAIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A FRONT END COLLISION AT 35 MILES PER HOUR. THE FRONT END WAS TOTALLED AND ALTHOUGH THE INJURIES WERE MINOR, THERE IS A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY.*AK | 54.2% |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 12.7% | 12.0%ODI 982252WHILE STOPPED IN DRIVE GEAR WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, VEHICLES FRONT SUSPENSION VIBRATES, DEALER HAS REPLACED MOTOR MOUNTS, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. *AK | 23.2%ODI 749419MAIN BEARINGS ON CRANK BLEW, EVEN THOUGH CAR HAS ONLY 65000 MILES OIL IS CHANGED EVERY 4 MONTHS OR 3000 WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. NO WARNING THAT ANY PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. CAR IN TRAFFIC ENGINE STARTED TO WEV HIGH,WHEN THIS HAPPENED I PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD CAR OVERHEATED WAS TOWED OFF HIGHWAY IN NEW JERSEY. WAS BROGHT BACK TO CT ON FLAT BED. SAME MECHANIC ON CAR SINCE BEGINING.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 63.6%ODI 10008450 · 111,123 miENGINE FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN RECALL NUMBER 95 V 0 3 3000. CALLED MAZDA AT [phone removed] ON MARCH 03, 2003, BUT WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER IS NOT IN THEIR RECALL LIST. HOWEVER, THEY WERE NOTIFIED. *JB | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 57.6%ODI 10038858 · 83,068 miAFTER 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. 2 OXYGEN SENSORS WERE REPLACED, AS WELL AS 8 VALVES AND OTHER PARTS, TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. WE SPENT A TOTAL OF $1791.78 BEFORE THE CAR WAS FIXED. WE LEARNED FROM OUR MAZDA DEALER THAT A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED 6/10/98 THAT COVERED THIS PROBLEM. WE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MAZDA AREA REP, AND NO REIMBURSEMENT WAS ISSUED. *PH | 24.3%ODI 10083377NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH 1999 MAZDA PROTEGE LX.*MR DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE SHE WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE NOT VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT MAZDA BECAUSE THEY WERE PRIMARILY A HONDA DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE STATION WHERE THEY SUGGESTED THE PROBLEM HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE GAS. THE TECHNICIAN RESET THE COMPUTER AND TOLD THE CONSUMER IF THE PROBLEM RECURRED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A MAZDA DEALER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CO… | 33.4%ODI 10017210 · 64,000 miTHE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *JB | 32.9%ODI 10157465 · 60,000 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PULLED OVER BUT CONTINUED TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED, THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER HAD BLOWN A SPARK PLUG THROUGH THE MOTOR. THE SPARK PLUG WAS IN 3 PIECES, THE PLUG WIRES WERE STILL CONNECTED TO THE TOP OF THE PLUG, THE THREADED PORTION OF THE PLUG WAS STILL IN THE CYLINDER, AND THE THIRD PIECE WAS INSIDE THE ENGINE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. UPDATED 05/30/2006. *AK | 24.0%ODI 10037572 · 15,300 miI HAVE A 2001 MAZDA PROTEGE LX 2.0 AND IT HAS HAD A VIRBRATION IN THE STERRING COLUMN AND THROUGH OUT THE CAR. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR ON12-10-02. THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT IT IS NORMAL! IS IT?*AK | 11.0%ODI 8022831CONSUMER STATES ENGINE MAKES A RATTLING NOISE WHEN STARTED. NOISE IS ALSO HEARD WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER VEHICLE HAS COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED BY DEALER WHO ADVISED A "VALVE" IN THE ENGINE IS CAUSING NOISE AND THAT MAZDA ENGINEERS ARE INVESTIGATING TO FIND A SOLUTION. CONSUMER IS VERY CONCERNED THAT ISSUE COULD COMPROMISE HER SAFETY WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE. TS | 1310.8%ODI 10020190WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED A KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *JB |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 513.5%ODI 805142THE PASENGER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR NEVER WORKED, ALSO CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED, PURCHASED USED VEHICLE. *AK | 1019.6%ODI 10118142 · 194,350 miTHE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT WOULD RETRACT SLOWER AND SLOWER UNTIL IT FINALLY STOPPED RETRACTING. THE CONSEQUENCES WERE: ON APRIL 18, 2005 I WAS GIVEN A FIX-IT TICKET FOR NOT WEARING MY SHOULDER HARNESS.*AK THE AUTOMATIC HARNESS NO LONGER FULLY RETRACTS, SO IT IS USELESS. | 57.9%ODI 10033534 · 149,000 miDRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RETRACTOR BROKE, IT CAME COMPLETELY OFF THE TRACK. SEAT BELT IS INOPERATIVE.*AK | 511.4%ODI 8009984CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT RETRACT ANY MORE. CONTACTED DEALER.*JB | 45.4%ODI 10095766I HAVE A 1994 MAZDA PROTEGE LX WITH THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS. THE SEAT BELTS FAIL TO RETRACT UPON OPENING THE DOOR. ON TOP OF THIS BEING A VERY ANNOYING DEVELOPMENT, IT ALSO CREATES AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD IF I'M INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND AM TRYING TO EXIT THE CAR. THERE IS AN EMERGENCY RELEASE, BUT IF I WERE UNABLE TO REACH IT DUE TO INJURY OR OTHERWISE, I COULD BE TRAPPED IN THE CAR. MY CAR IS JUST ONE OF MANY OF THIS MANUFACTURE AND MODEL THAT HAS THIS PROBLEM. THE INCIDENT DATE BELOW IS THE DATE THAT MY BELTS BEGAN FAILING.*AK | 21.2%ODI 782503THE REAR SHOULDER HARNESS FAILS TO RETRACT AND GETS CAUGHT IN THE DOOR CAUSING THE DOOR NOT TO CLOSE. NLM | 34.3%ODI 809121WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCED SUDDENLY CV JOINT FAILURE WHEN IT BROKE IN STEERING COLUMN, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, HIT TELEPHONE POLE; ALSO, UPON IMPACT DUAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, 2:00 ON FRONT BUMPER, DRIVER'S SEAT SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED TO RETRACT ENOUGH. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 24.3%ODI 10101556THE FRONT SEAT BELTS WERE LOOSE AND WILL NOT RETRACT BACK IN TO NORMAL POSITION. *JB | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 11.0%ODI 720339PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILED DURING FIRST USE BY JAMMING. PASSENGER UNABLE TO DISENGAGE SEATBELT WHICH CAUSED PASSENGER TO HAVE TO "SLITHER" OUT OF SEAT. PUSHING THE BUTTON MADE THE ASSEMBLY CRACK IN HALF AT THE SEAMS. INSIDE OF ASSEMBLY APPEARS TO BE MADE OF PLASTIC. *AK | 12.0%ODI 755364THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE OCCURRED ON 11/01/2001 IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT. I'M THE PASSENGER WHO WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE SOUTHBOUND ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN SUDDENLY I COULDN'T STOP THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE BRAKES, SO I TRIED TO CHANGE LANES, AND THE CAR VEERED OFF THE ROAD, LANDING IN A DITCH AFTER CRASHING INTO 4 OR 5 TREES. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, AND MY SEAT BELT DETACHED AT SOME POINT DURING THE IMPACT. AS A RESULT CAR WAS COMPLETELY TOTALED, AND DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS SMASHED IN. PASSENGER'S SEAT DIRECTLY BEHIND THE DRIVER WAS PU… | 11.0%ODI 10030066DRIVER'S SEAT BELT CAN'T BE USED DUE A FAULTY RETRACTOR. DEALER NOTIFIED. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, DEALER STATED SEAT BELT WAS WARRANTED ONLY 2 MONTHS. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Tires | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 12.0%ODI 733496THIRD TIRE OF SET OF 4 THAT TREAD HAD SEPARATED - THIS ONE TOTALED THE CAR AND INJURED ONE PERSON. TIRE HAD 18,000 MILES WEAR. *AK (TIRESIZE: P185/60R14)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P185/60R14 ) | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 12.3%ODI 553964LEFT FRONT MOHAWK MONTEGA A/S TSB TIRE WAS COLLAPSING, DEALER SAID THOSE TIRES WERE BEING BROUGHT BACK BECAUSE OF SOME SORT OF HEAT RELATED SEPARATION, CONSUMER PURCHASED A REPLACEMENT BUT 27 DAYS LATER THE NEW TIRE STARTED SHOWING THE SAME DEFECT. NLM | 11.4%ODI 966684FRONT TIRES ON VEHICLE HAVE WORN EXCESSIVELY AFTER 22K MILES. TT | 10.6%ODI 513395YOKAHOMA TIRE BLEW OUT, CAUSING ACCIDENT/AIRBAG DID NOT INFLATE IN CRASH, CAUSING SMOKE TO BURN EYES. | 11.4%ODI 728726LEFT REAR TIRE 'SEPARATED' WHILE GOING TO WORK ON I-95 AT 11 A.M. I TEMPORARY LOST CONTROL AND VEERED OVER 3 LANES BEFORE REGAINING CONTROL OF CAR. LUCKY TO BE ALIVE.( DOT NUMBER: ???? TIRE SIZE: ????? ) | 34.5% | 24.3%ODI 10229940 · 120,000 miI WAS DRIVING ALONE MY 1998 MAZDA PROTEGE ALONG A LOCAL ROUTE IN TEWKSBURY MA IN LIGHT RAIN AT ABOUT 30-35 MPH WHEN A CAR A FEW CARS AHEAD OF ME MADE A QUICK STOP FOR A LEFT TURN. SEVERAL CAR BEHIND STOPPED WITHOUT PROBLEM, BUT I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP AND SKID ALL THE WAY INTO THE CAR AT FRONT WHICH WAS A 2002 CAMRY. AT THE TIME THE CAR AT FRONT OF ME HIT THE BRAKE I TAPPED ON MY BRAKE ALMOST AT THE SAME TIME AND THERE WERE ABOUT 10 CAR LENGTH DISTANCE BETWEEN ME AND THE 2002 CAMRY THAT I HIT EVENTUALLY. THE TRACTION PROVIDED BY MY TIRES ARE … | 55.7%ODI 10029489CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK | 22.0%ODI 10160055 · 66,097 miLESS THAN TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING MY 2000 MAZDA PROTEGE NEW FROM THE DEALER I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPT. WHILE ACCELERATING, THE CAR WOULD JERK AND BUCK AS IF I HIT A BRICK WALL. THE CAR CONTINUED TO DO THIS. EACH TIME I COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE DEPT. AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. I ALSO CONTACTED MAZDA CORP. TO INQUIRE IF THERE WERE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OR RECALLS. I WAS ADVISED THAT MAZDA HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. JUST SHY OF THREE YEARS OF OWNERSHIP I AGAIN TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER SER… | 24.0%ODI 756394I WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRE WAS DRIVEN WHILE LOW. I CHECK THE AIR IN MY TIRES ONCE SOMETIMES TWICE A WEEK. THE MECHANIC THAT LOOKED AT MY TIRE SAID THAT IT ONLY HAS TO BE A LITTLE LOW TO START RUBBING ON THE RIM. AS YOU CAN SEE BY MY MILEAGE I DRIVE QUITE A BIT. PLUS BOTH MY DAD (RETIRED) AND MY HUSBAND WORK FOR UNIROYAL TIRES. MY HUSBAND IS A TIREBUILDER. I AM JUST GLAD THE TIRES DIDN'T BLOW WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I AM 36 YEARS OLD AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVERY HAD A TIRE RUINED IN 20000 MILES. I THINK SOMETHING IS … | 88.2%ODI 10079850 · 19,000 miPROBLEMS WITH TIRE EQUIPMENT ON THE 2002 MAZDA PROTEGE 5. *MR THERE WAS DIFFICULTY WITH PLACING SUITCASES OR BOXES INTO THE TRUNK OF THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE, THE CD PLAYER SKIPPED, THE TRANSMISSION DISPLAYED A LOUD CLUNK NOISE, THERE WAS A SPARE TIRE PROBLEM, THERE WAS A NAIL IN THE TIRE WHICH COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE IT WAS LOCATED TOO CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF THE TIRE, 50% OF TREAD REMAINED, AND THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE WHEEL NEEDED TO HAVE FIVE HOLES FOR BOLTS (SPARE WHEEL), AND THE BRAKES HAD 50% REMAINING. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT… | 86.7%ODI 10055956WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. CONSUMER WAS NOT SURE IF THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE TIRES OR SUSPENSION. *AK *JB |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 12.0%ODI 704813WENT TO STOP AT STOP LIGHT, ENGINE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, UNABLE TO STOP. REARENDED STATIONARY VEHICLE AT LIGHT. OUR VEHICLE TOTALED. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK | 34.8%ODI 10044943WHEN DRIVING AT 25 MPH VEICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *AK | 12.3%ODI 753813WINDOWS-DRIVER SIDE POWER ASSISTED WINDOW FAILURE TO GO UP/DOWN, CONTROL WOULD NOT FUNCTION, HAD TO REASSEMBLE WINDOW AND REPLACE MASTER POWER WINDOW CONTROL UNIT. COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE @ 155,000MI. ALL COMPONENTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. WAS NOT ACTIVLY DRIVING WHEN FAILURE NOTICES. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY. THROTTLE COMPONENT- TEMPERATURE CENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THROTTLE WOULD SPARATICALLY GIVE OUT, CAUSING A TRAFFIC HAZARD. (I.E. COULD BE ON HIGHWAY DOING 55MPH, CENSOR WOULD MISDETECT ENGINE STATUS CAUSING THROTTLE TO GO DOWN AND SPEED TO INVOLU… | 11.4%ODI 856511ENGINE SURGES WHEN VEHICLE STOPS. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER, BUT UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. *AK *ML . THE DEFECT HAS REOCCURRED AGAIN IN EARLY SEPT. 2000, DLR HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WILL SURGE FOWARD FAR ENOUGH TO HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT. | 21.2%ODI 828959SPEEDOMETER STAYS ON "0" EVEN WHEN THE TACKOMETER GOES UP TO "7." DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED, AND IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. ENGINE REVVED AT 40 MPH DID NOT SPEED UP. SMOKE POURED OUT OF BACK AND FRONT AND SMELL CAME INSIDE THE VEHICLE. | 45.7%ODI 10316645 · 30,000 miI HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE - THE MAZDA PROTG MENTIONED UNDER "SUBJECT" OF THIS E-MAIL - ACCELERATING WITHOUT THE GAS PEDAL BEING TOUCHED ON AT LEAST THREE OCCASIONS SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW IN THE FALL OF 1996. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXHIBITED INTENSE RUMBLING WHEN IN DRIVE AND WAITING AT IDLE AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. ON ONE OF SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ABOUT THE LATTER PROBLEM, A YOUNG ATTENDANT AT THE DEALER (MAZDA MAPLE SHADE IN MAPLE SHADE, NEW JERSEY) MENTIONED - APPARENTLY INADVERTENTLY - THAT… | 46.1% | 24.3%ODI 836139WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE WITH FOOT ON BRAKES VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE PARKING BUMP & HIT A BRICK WALL. NO PHYSICAL INJURIES. PRIOR TO ACCELERATION, HAD VENICLE AT DEALER & THE TIMING BELT WAS ADJUSTED. *AK | 11.1%ODI 716968CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, CONTINUED PROBLEM OF ACCELERATION WHEN CHANGING GEARS. *AK | 43.9%ODI 10006291WHILE DRIVING ABS LIGHT STAYED ON. PH. ALSO, DEALER REPLACED FAILED SPEED SENSOR. *AK | 24.0%ODI 894827WHILE AT A STOP ENGINE REVVED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE VIBRATED. DEALER WAS AWARE OF PROBLEMS.*AK | 55.1%ODI 10044023WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND RAN INTO FRONT PORCH. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2002: 38 complaints · 2003: 47 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 11 | 26 | 38 |
| 2003 | 10 | 38 | 47 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 92 | 2 | 4 |
| 2003 | 115 | 3 | 2 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | — | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.