1990 Mazda Protege: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 37 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seat belts (60% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“This part is designed with no retainer as on previous parts which would have prevented this failure. Most compact mazda and ford models have this type tie rod end. I have talked to several ford escort owners that have experienced the same failure. The parts were as new as five months old and failed causing complete loss of control.*ak”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2002
“When backing out of driveway placed car in drive and depressed gas, and vehicle lurched forward and crashed. Gas pedal was stuck to the floor.*ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2002
“Driver's side motor belt failed to operate, leaving driver without any restraint. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was not covered under manufacturer's recall, and repairs would only be made at consumer's cost.*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2000
Show 7 more owner reports
“At cold temperatures the high-beam (headlights) fail to come on. Normal(low beam) lights shut off at this point resulting in no headlights. After vehicle has warmed high-beams work as expected.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 1998
“Consumer was driving vehicle when the motorized shoulder restraint would not release properly. She was pulling and heard a clicking noise, and belt was stuck. Dealership (big sky auto ) mechanic called mazda manufacturer, and was told the vehicle was too old, and they would not fix. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 1998
“Any electrical functions connected to the ignition being turned on, failed to work properly, such as windshield wipers/air conditioner/heater & anything else affecting visibility of the driver. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 1997
“While stopped, vehicle was rearended by moving vehicle that was traveling 35 mph. Driver fell forward/backward, seatback reclined, left side of seat broke, motorized shoulder belt did not retract. Dealer replaced seat frame. Found no problem with seat belt. *ak consumer sustained injuries to the neck, upper back, right shoulder, arm, hand, and shoulder blade. *slc”Owner report · Seat Belts · Sep 1997
“Car was purchased used in 1997. Car has always had some vibration when it idles. In november of 1998 car began overheating. Radiator was replaced but did not solve the problem. Took back to have repaired. Thermostat was replaced and while replacing the thermistat a cracked sensor was also found and replaced. This corrected the problem. In december of 1998 front driverside shoulder seat belt froze. It would not retract all the way back. It would make a constant clicking nose. The wires were also off the track. Had to disconnect the fuse to shut off the clicking noise. Had an estimite to have it repaired which was approx. 900.00.”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 1997
“Because of design of car there was no light or signal to indicate to the driver that the rear door was not totally closed resulting in a young child falling out of the car and being struck by the vehilce.(attorney for consumer).”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 1996
“Child run over by vehicle after falling out of partially opened door, possible design flaw in not having indicator for opened door. (attorney for consumer).”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 1996
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
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. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1990 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Protege by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Mazda Protege reliable?
NHTSA has 37 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1990 Mazda Protege. The most complained-about area is seat belts (60% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Mazda Protege problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 167,125 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Mazda Protege have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.