FaultScore report
Owners have filed 45 complaints about the 1990 Mazda Protege with NHTSA between 1995 and 2012. The largest single group is the seat belts.
45
Complaints
5
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
0 crashes, 1 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
AUTO RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAIL
AUTO RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAIL
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
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.
Risk: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Electrical
On certain vehicles, a defect in the ignition switch could cause an electrical short to develop over time. This could result in smoke and/or fire, increasing the risk of injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
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.
NHTSA complaint #8016819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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).
NHTSA complaint #527401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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).
NHTSA complaint #528067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
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
NHTSA complaint #817831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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
NHTSA complaint #817831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
CLOGGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSED FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #502407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT TRACK JAMMED, DEALER WILL NOT COVER, ALTHOUGH THERE APPEARS TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ALREADY.
NHTSA complaint #10456720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
THE FRONT AUTOMATIC PASSIVE RESTRAINT SEAT BELTS SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE BECAUSE THE RAIL IS BAD. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPLACE THE RAIL AS STATED IN THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT RAIL RECALL 97V211000. THERE IS CONFLICT BETWEEN THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURE CONCERNING WHAT PART IN THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL. *NM THE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELT IS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RAIL THUS MAKING IT INOPERATIVE. THE DRIVER'S SHOULDER BELT IS STUCK IN THE REAR OF THE RAIL AND IS ALSO INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10074312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
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.
NHTSA complaint #8016819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA complaint #762831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
WHILE DRIVING WINDSHIELD BECOMES EXTREMELY FOGGED, CAUSING POOR VISBILITY DUE A MALFUNCTION WITHIN HEATER CORE WHICH HAS BEEN REPLACED, BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #899230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WHILE DRIVING CAN SMELL ANTI-FREEZE, AND WINDSHIELD BECOMES ABSOLUTELY FOGGY. ALSO, HEATER CORE HAS PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #899061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
WHILE DRIVING CAN SMELL ANTI-FREEZE, AND WINDSHIELD BECOMES ABSOLUTELY FOGGY. ALSO, HEATER CORE HAS PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #899061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #860235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA complaint #717845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA complaint #717845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES EXCESSIVE VIBRATION FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, CAR WINDOWS AND BACK REAR DOORS. NLM
NHTSA complaint #550332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED CAUSING EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. MJS
NHTSA complaint #547279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
MOTORBELTS EXPERIENCE ERRATIC OPERATION INTERMITTENTLY. MJS
NHTSA complaint #604606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
LUG WRENCH COULD NOT REMOVE NUTS ON WHEELS WHEN CHANGNG FLAT TIRE. MJS
NHTSA complaint #604606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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).
NHTSA complaint #527401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #700402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #829835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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).
NHTSA complaint #528067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #539524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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.
NHTSA complaint #825967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
FRONT INNER TIE ROD SEPARATED AT JOINT. CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #533468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
RETRACTABLE SEAT BELT LATCHES ON BOTH SIDES ARE FAILING.
NHTSA complaint #522345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
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
NHTSA complaint #817831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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
NHTSA complaint #817831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE PASENGER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR NEVER WORKED, ALSO CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED, PURCHASED USED VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #805142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.