1999 Mazda Protege: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 88 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (22% of complaints); the 1998 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 88 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The headlights no longer work on low beam. The high beams still work. Upon removing the steering column cover and unplugging the wiring harness I found that the connector is literally burned and melted at the point of connection in the harness. Mazda no longer makes the part and I cannot have it fixed by a mechanic because the part is almost impossible to find in a used salvaged vehicle. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2011
“Passenger 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”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mazda protege. The contact stated he rear-ended another vehicle at 50 mph. Upon impact the air bags failed to deploy. As a consequence he sustained moderate head injuries. The insurance company was in the process of investigating the cause of the failure. No repairs have been made. He contacted the manufacturer, but was not provided with any assistance. The failure and current mileages were 217,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“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. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the there was an electrical wiring failure that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2009
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2007
“1999 mazda protege was taken to dealership for repairs and the dealership would not honor the warranty. *mr the vehicle was takne in for the timing, water pump, etc. *sc *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2005
“1999 mazda protege developed problems with the engine. Repairs were made and the total came up to $804.64. *mr a noise was coming from the engine. *sc *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2005
“I am now having to put the 3rd transmission in my 99 mazda protege, the first two were at mazda expense and I feel the 3rd should be as well since this is a known problem with this vehicle and this model.*ak”Owner report · Equipment · Jan 2005
“My son purchased a 1999 mazda protege lx last year. He has had major problems with the engine running hot. He was told he needed a timing belt and water pump. He had the car fixed at a cost of $750.00. Again the same thing happened about two months later. He again is being told that he needs the same work done. This time it is going to cost him $900.00 and the engine has to be tested to see if there is no damage. If there is damage to the engine it will be more costly. Also the power locks are damaged and this occurred the first week of purchase.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2004
“I owned a 1999 mazda protege that had the original transmission replaced at 49500 miles. Approximately 24 months later at 85000 miles, the replacement transmission went out as well. In both instances the problems was the axle breaking the restraining clip causing the transmission to move out of position. The transmission would then leak causing slipping and lurching. The replacement transmission installed by the dealer was a rebuilt transmission that only had a 12/12000 warranty. *ak”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 21 of these complaints and injuries in 16 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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 CONDITIONER RUNNING, AND AUDIO ON, CONDENSED WATER ON THE A/C DUCT SURFACE COULD DROP AND ENTER INTO THE AUDIO UNIT, CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL AFFIX ALUMINUM TAPE OVER THE AUDIO UNIT TO PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING.
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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
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.
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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1999 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 1999 Mazda Protege reliable?
NHTSA has 88 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Mazda Protege. The most complained-about area is power train (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Mazda Protege problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 65,033 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Mazda Protege have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/cd etc.. 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.