FaultScore

FaultScore report

1999 Mazda Protege problems

Owners have filed 102 complaints about the 1999 Mazda Protege with NHTSA between 1999 and 2018. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain. Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 11 worst.

D

FaultScore 62/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mazda Protege.

How this is worked out

The numbers

102

Complaints

26

Crashes reported

1

Fires reported

19

Injuries reported

60,500 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

23%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 47 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 40 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 47
Against the median year of the Mazda Protege. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
45.1% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 40
23% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1999 compares with every other Mazda Protege

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1999 Mazda Protege

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 57,000 mi

Airbags 21 20.6%

21 crashes, 0 fires · median 75,833 mi

Tires 13 12.7%

Median failure at 66,500 miles

Engine & Cooling 9 8.8%

Median failure at 64,032 miles

Brakes 6 5.9%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 47,899 mi

Electrical System 6 5.9%

Median failure at 66,993 miles

Other & Unspecified 4 3.9%

Median failure at 68,000 miles

Seats 4 3.9%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Suspension 3 2.9%
Steering 3 2.9%
Seat Belts 2 2.0%

Median failure at 140,000 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 2 2.0%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Lights 2 2.0%

Median failure at 57,000 miles

Equipment & Accessories 1 1.0%

Median failure at 33,818 miles

Wheels 1 1.0%

Median failure at 52,000 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 1 1.0%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 1.0%
Body & Structure 1 1.0%

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Automatic Transmission 16 34.0%
Frontal 14 29.8%
Tread/Belt 6 12.8%
Engine 3 6.4%
Clutch Assembly 2 4.3%
Foundation Components 2 4.3%
Steering Wheel/Handle BAR 2 4.3%
Delivery 2 4.3%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 1 3.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 9 30.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 12 40.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 5 16.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 3 10.0%

When owners complained

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.

Apr 1999 peak 5 Feb 2018

Recalls on the 1999 Mazda Protege

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.

United States — NHTSA

09E012000

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 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.

Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

06E026000

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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

00V301000

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

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.

Risk: IF THE SHORT CIRCUIT OCCURS AT ONE SPECIFIC SET OF TERMINALS, THE REAR RIGHT LOUDSPEAKER CAN OVERHEAT AND, IN SOME CASES, CATCH FIRE.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2000234 4,205 units in Canada

Electrical

On certain vehicles, if operated at low speeds in a hot and humid environment with the window open, air conditioner running and audio on, condensed water on the A/C duct surface may drop and enter into the audio unit, causing a short circuit. If the short circuit occurs at one specific set of terminals, the rear right speaker can overheat and possibly catch fire. Correction: Dealers will affix aluminum tape over the audio unit to prevent water from entering .

Recall 2000176 86,835 units in Canada

Other

Certain vehicles do not comply with Regulation 6 - Statement of Compliance. Vehicles have an incorrect National Safety Mark (NSM). Correction: Since this non-compliance does not present a risk to vehicle safety, no further action will be taken.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 127,000 miles Columbia, SC Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10284876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 33,125 miles Texarkana, AR Crash

POWER TRAIN

THE ABOVE DESCRIPTION IS THE FIRST TIME THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPAIRED. NOW AT 47,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION IS OUT AGAIN. JOEY

NHTSA complaint #10069135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 33,125 miles Texarkana, AR Crash

AIR BAGS

THE ABOVE DESCRIPTION IS THE FIRST TIME THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPAIRED. NOW AT 47,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION IS OUT AGAIN. JOEY

NHTSA complaint #10069135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,000 miles Louisville, KY Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER MOTORIST. NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER STERNUM FROM IMPACTING THE STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA complaint #10052132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 77,667 miles Savannah, GA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.

NHTSA complaint #10050508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 47,899 miles Rocky Mount, NC Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

DUE 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

NHTSA complaint #10019418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Madison Heights, VA

ENGINE

THE PLASTIC DIP STICK TO CHECK OIL SNAPPED OFF

NHTSA complaint #11072812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 57,000 miles Winchester, KY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10787224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 57,000 miles Winchester, KY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10787224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,987 miles Lumberton, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10695482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfield, MO

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10403706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfield, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10403706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Mendota Heights, MN

SEAT BELTS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10301694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 127,000 miles Columbia, SC Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10284876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ojai, CA

TIRES:VALVE

FAULTY TIRE VALVES (DILL ACP 123 TR 418) ON A 1999 MAZDA PROTEGE. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRE DEFLATED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A RECALL RELATING TO THE VALVE STEMS BY DILL-ACP MODEL TR-418. RECALL# 08T0228000. *JB SEE ALSO 10496085 *SY UPDATED 06/23/10.*JB THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS SINCE EXPERIENCED ANOTHER TIRE FAILURE, DUE TO A DEFECTIVE TIRE VALVE STEM. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VALVE STEM WAS CRACKED AND THE REAR TIRE WAS SPLIT. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE REASON FOR THE SPLIT WAS DUE TO HEAT BUILD-UP, BECAUSE HE CONTINUED TO DRIVE ON THE TIRE, BEFORE HE REALIZED THE TIRE HAD DEFLATED. UPDATED 10/24/12 UPDATED 02/07/13

NHTSA complaint #10264688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles LOS Angeles, CA

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

PROBLEM MAZDA TRANSMISSION FAILURE .MAZDA PROTEGE 1999 THIS CAR HAD A MAJOR ENGINE OVERHAUL RECENT ABOUT A YEAR FROM NOW. ONE MONTH AFTER OVERHAUL TRANSMISSION FAILED. MAZDA REFUSED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS FAILURE. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT OWNER EXPENSE EXACTLY ONE YEAR AFTER THAT TRANSMISSION WAS FIXED FAILURE AGAIN . AGAIN TRANSMISSION NOT COVERED OUT OF WARRANTY. ESTIMATE AS TO HOW MUCH HAS BEEN SPENT SO FAR $3,500. AS OF NOW I CANT DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE THE CAR CANT BE MOVED DUE TO MALFUNCTION. AFTER RESEARCH ONLINE I HAVE FOUND THIS VIN NUMBER ON THIS MAZDA HAS HAD ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT OFF LAMP FLASHING NO SHIFT CONDITION 3RD GEAR SHIFT RATION SET ERRATIC SHIFTS ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION ISSUES ETC. I PERSONALLY FEEL THEY SHOULD COMPENSATE OR AT LEAST TRY AND HELP TO GET THIS RESOLVED AND THEY REFUSE TO ADMIT THEY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THIS CAR VIN VERY BAD PRACTICE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL OR AT LEAST TRY AND HELP PAY FOR ALL THESE DAMAGES I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO BUY A CAR TRANSMISSION EVERY YEAR BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO ADMIT OR TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY WITH THIS "KNOWN ISSUE" I CALLED MAZDA THEY SAID I HAVE TO PAY ALL DAMAGES ON TRANSMISSION I DON'T DRIVE ALOT CAR IS DRIVEN VERY MINIMAL WORK AND BACK.

NHTSA complaint #10249753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mercer Island, WA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

WE OWN A MAZDA PROTEGE 1999. BOTH THE HEADLIGHTS & BRIGHT LIGHTS FAILED. WE TRIED REPLACING BULBS & A RELAY, NEITHER OF WHICH WORKED. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT AN INDEPENDENT AUTOMOBILE ELECTRICAL SHOP. THE OWNER STATED THAT THE INTERNAL WIRING FOR THESE COMPONENTS BURNED OUT. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN INTERNAL FIRE BEHIND THE DASHBOARD. THE WIRES WERE NOT EXPOSED UNDER THE HOOD SO WE COULD NOT HAVE KNOWN THAT THEY WERE WEARING THIN. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH MAZDA USA AS THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MAZDA. I AM DISTRESSED THAT MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING A CAR KNOWN TO HAVE FAULTY WIRING THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ENGINE AND/OR INTERIOR FIRE. MAZDA USA ADVISED ME THAT THE CAR WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, AND I WAS FACING A $700 COST FOR REPAIRS. I WAS HOPING MAZDA WILL HELP WITH THIS, BUT AS YET THEY HAVE NOT, AND MY DAUGHTER WAS WITHOUT A CAR TO DRIVE AT NIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #10194870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Moss Point, MS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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

NHTSA complaint #10130190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,065 miles Moss Point, MS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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

NHTSA complaint #10127962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 33,818 miles Glen Burnie, MD

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10105936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cleveland, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10105940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 33,818 miles Glen Burnie, MD

EQUIPMENT

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.

NHTSA complaint #10105936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,612 miles Vernon, CT

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE TRANSMISSION.*MR THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED A 32600 MILES. THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10031919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 33,125 miles Texarkana, AR Crash

POWER TRAIN

THE ABOVE DESCRIPTION IS THE FIRST TIME THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPAIRED. NOW AT 47,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION IS OUT AGAIN. JOEY

NHTSA complaint #10069135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,000 miles Elkton, MD

POWER TRAIN

MY CAR STARTED WITH UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION LAST FEB. 2003. THEN IT STARTED TO FELL LIKE THE GEARS WERE SLIPPING. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM. NOW, IT IS OCT. 2003 AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. LAST NIGHT THE CAR GOT STUCK IN LOW GEAR AND WILL NOT REVERSE. THE RPM GO UP WHEN YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE, BUT THE CAR WILL NOT GO PAST 10 MILES AN HOUR. RIGHT NOW THE CAR IS AT THE DEALER'S SHOP AND I AM MAD!!! I AM A SINGLE MOM WHO BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. I'VE HAD ALL MAINTENANCE, AND I WANTED A CAR THAT WOULD LAST FOR 10 YEARS. NOW I FEEL CHEATED BY MAZDA!!

NHTSA complaint #10070987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 33,125 miles Texarkana, AR Crash

AIR BAGS

THE ABOVE DESCRIPTION IS THE FIRST TIME THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPAIRED. NOW AT 47,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION IS OUT AGAIN. JOEY

NHTSA complaint #10069135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Plano, TX

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUGUST 1999,IT HAD 12 MILES ON IT I HAD JUST GOTTEN RID OF ANOTHER PROTEGE 1994 THE MOST LOUSY CAR I HAD EVER SEEN,I HAD SPENT OVER$ 8,000 ON REPAIRS. 2 TRANSMISSIONS IN 2 YEARS. 2 SETS OF CV BOOTS ETC. ANYWAY I THOUGHT IF I COULD GET A NEW ONE I WOULD NOT HAVE ANY TROUBLE FOR A LONG TIME, IF ANY AT ALL. WELL,I HAD IT PROBABLY HAD IT ABOUT 6 MONTHS OR SO,AND IT STARTED MAKING A METALLIC RATTLING IN THE FRONT IN THE ENGINE. IT SOUNDS LIKE BACK IN THE OLD DAYS WHEN A CAR NEEDED OIL IT WOULD RATTLE LIKE A PIECE OF JUNK. THEY CHECKED IT OUT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING,TOOK IT BACK SEVERAL TIMES, SO THE SERVICE MANAGER JOE BURK VERY NICE MAN VERY HELPFUL. THEY CHANGED A FEW PARTS, POWER TRAIN ETC, PLEASE CHECK MY RECORDS WITH THEM IF YOU CAN, OR I WILL HAVE TO DIG IN MY FILES TO FIND ALL OF THE RECEIPTS.SO HE SUGGESTED THAT I TRY DIFFERENT GAS. WELL,I DID I TRIED ALL OF THEM COST ME ALMOST $1,500. MOBIL,EXXON,CHEVRON,TEXACO,SHELL MID GRADE GAS. ABSOLUTLEY DID NOTHING,THIS WENT ON FOR A YEAR.THIS IS ABOUT 2001. WELL IT SEEMS IT DOES THIS VERY BADLY WHEN IT GETS HOT. HE SAID THAT THEY HAD HEARD ABOUT SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS IN HOUSTON WITH THEIR HEAT AND HUMIDITY. I ASK IF THIS DOES NOT WORK WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO? WELL MAZDA MENTIONED MAYBE GIVING ME ANOTHER CAR. THEY DECIDED TO PUT A BRAND NEW ENGINE IN IT,(A BRAND NEW CAR)BY THAT TIME IT HAD A LITTLE 20,000 MILES ON IT. I PAY $412.64 A MONTH ON A CAR THAT RATTLES LIKE A PIECE OF CRAP. THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. AS OF THE WEEK OF AUGUST 4-8 TOOK IT BACK STILL DOING IT, THEY REPLACED THE POWER TRAIN ON IT AND IT STILL DOES IT. THEY LOOKED AT IT AGAIN. NOTHING CAN BE DONE,AS LONG AS I AM IN WARRANTY I AM ALRIGHT, BUT WHEN THAT RUNS OUT I AM SCREWED.

NHTSA complaint #10070674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,000 miles Elkton, MD

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY CAR STARTED WITH UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION LAST FEB. 2003. THEN IT STARTED TO FELL LIKE THE GEARS WERE SLIPPING. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM. NOW, IT IS OCT. 2003 AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. LAST NIGHT THE CAR GOT STUCK IN LOW GEAR AND WILL NOT REVERSE. THE RPM GO UP WHEN YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE, BUT THE CAR WILL NOT GO PAST 10 MILES AN HOUR. RIGHT NOW THE CAR IS AT THE DEALER'S SHOP AND I AM MAD!!! I AM A SINGLE MOM WHO BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. I'VE HAD ALL MAINTENANCE, AND I WANTED A CAR THAT WOULD LAST FOR 10 YEARS. NOW I FEEL CHEATED BY MAZDA!!

NHTSA complaint #10070987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Alton, IL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10062582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 57,000 miles Whitewater, WI

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

CLUTCH FAILURE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME CLUTCH FAILED. FIRST TIME AT 57K, NOW AT 149K. FIRST TIME WAS FIXED AT MAZDA DEALERSHIP, BOTH REPLACED WITH MAZDA CLUTCH PARTS. HIGHWAY MILES USED MAJORITY OF TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10054876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,000 miles Louisville, KY Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER MOTORIST. NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER STERNUM FROM IMPACTING THE STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA complaint #10052132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.