SEATS
WHEN ENGAGING SEAT BELT INTO LOCKING MECHANISM, THE MECHANISM BROKE INTO ABOUT SEVEN PIECES. IT WILL NO LONGER HOLD THE SEAT BELT.
NHTSA complaint #10489215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mazda Protege seat problems
42 of the 1,377 complaints filed about the Mazda Protege are about the seats — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1995.
42
Complaints
3%
Share of all complaints
16
Crashes
0
Fires
Seats complaints by model year
1990 Protege
1
2.4%
1991 Protege
1
2.4%
1992 Protege
3
7.1%
1993 Protege
1
2.4%
1994 Protege
3
7.1%
1995 Protege
12
28.6%
1996 Protege
3
7.1%
1997 Protege
2
4.8%
1998 Protege
1
2.4%
1999 Protege
4
9.5%
2000 Protege
5
11.9%
2001 Protege
1
2.4%
2002 Protege
1
2.4%
What owners said
SEATS
WHEN OUR VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARD. I WAS MILDLY INJURED AND IF MY 1 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE REAR SEAT INSTEAD OF THE PASSENGER SIDE, I WOULD HAVE CRUSHED AND LIKELY KILLED HER. I AM NOT OVERWEIGHT AND WAS STRUCK WHILE STOPPED BY A VAN AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #10392389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
I WAS REAR-ENDED, I WAS A PASSENGER, A LOOSE LUG WRENCH CAME ,FROM THE TRUNK, THROUGH THE SEAT AND CRACKED ME IN THE RIBS.
NHTSA complaint #10245118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
I AM 6'0" WITH A TEMPERMENTAL BACK AND A 30" PANT INSEAM. IN PRACTICAL TERMS, I MUST HAVE THE SEAT CUSHION AT ITS LOWEST POSITION (FOR HEADROOM); THE SEAT BACK VERTICAL (TO PREVENT BACKACHE); AND THE SEAT MOVED RELATIVELY FORWARD (TO REACH THE PEDALS). MY 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE 5 IS ONE OF THE FEW CARS I CAN DRIVE COMFORTABLY. THAT'S HIGH PRAISE FOR SUCH A MODEST CAR. >>>>> MY PROBLEM WITH THE PROTEGE IS THE LEVER FOR THE FORE/AFT MOVEMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE LEVER IS BELOW THE FRONT EDGE OF THE SEAT CUSHION (INSTEAD OF ALONG THE LEFT SIDE); IT IS SHAPED ROUGHLY LIKE A CAPITAL LETTER "L" LAID HORIZONTALLY; THE INSIDE ANGLE IS ABOUT 120 DEGREES (SO THAT THE LONG SIDE POINTS FORWARD TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR); AND THE LEVER TIP IS "POINTY". >>>>> IF I WEAR "LONG" PANTS WITH BOTTOM CUFFS, THE CUFFS ARE PRONE TO CATCH ON THE SEAT LEVER AS I GET OUT OF THE CAR. BELIEVE ME, IT'S NOT EASY TO STOP 235 POUNDS WHEN I'VE BEEN THROWN OFF BALANCE. I'VE REPEATEDLY GOTTEN BRUISED AND/OR SCRAPED HANDS DURING UNGRACEFUL LANDINGS. >>>>> THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS SIMILAR. THESE LEVERS ARE A SAFETY HAZARD. I BELIEVE THAT THE 2003 PROTEGE (AND ANY OTHER RECENT VEHICLE USING THIS DESIGN) SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE SEAT LEVERS.*AK >>>>> A REPLACEMENT LEVER SHOULD BE SHAPED SO THAT ITS TIP TUCKS FAR ENOUGH UNDER THE SEAT CUSHION (A COUPLE OF INCHES) TO PREVENT IT FROM CATCHING A PANT CUFF OR PURSE STRAP. FOR AN EXAMPLE OF THE JOB DONE RIGHT, PLEASE SEE THE 2004 MAZDA 626. >>>>> THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. YOUR STUPID WEB SITE DESIGN INSISTS ON A SPECIFIC MONTH/DAY/YEAR FOR THE INCIDENT DATE. I HAVE ENTERED MY DATE OF PURCHASE INSTEAD.
NHTSA complaint #10067862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2003 Mazda Protege
Cromwell, CT
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
WHILE DRIVING HEAD REST ADJUSTED ON ITS OWN. THIS CAUSED THE HEAD REST NOT TO ADJUST PROPERLY TO HEIGHT OF THE HEAD. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10053483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1994 Mazda Protege
LAS Vegas, NV
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SEAT COLLAPSED WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED FORCEFULLY.
NHTSA complaint #8016151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
FAILURE OF THE LATCHES ON BOTH FRONT SEAT ALLOWING THE SEAT TO RECLINE. DURING AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK IN REAR CAUSING THE SEAT BACK TO RECLINE. THE ACTION TRAPPED MY WIFE'S LEFT FOOT UNDER THE SEAT. THIS CAUSED SEVERE CONTUSION AND ABRASIONS.
NHTSA complaint #764163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2000 Mazda Protege
Cambridge, OH
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY A TRUCK. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8008019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1995 Mazda Protege
Palmyra, VA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
I AM A SMALL WOMEN WHO ONLY WEIGHS 135 LBS AND THIS SEAT BROKE IT IS VERY UNSTABLE AND I AM AFRAID I WILL HAVE AN ACCIENT WITH MY 2 CHILDREN BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM APPARENTLY IS A PROBLEM, I HAVE SEEN ON EPIONS.COM ANOTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD APPRICIATE IF THIS WOULD BE LOOKED INTO SO THIS PROBLEM CAN BE RESOLVED. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS NOT THE FIRST COMPLAINT TO YOUR ORGANAZATION. I WOULD APPRICIATE A SPEEDIANT RESPONSE TO MY COPLAINT, SO I CAN FIND OUT IF THE MANUFACTURER WILL PAY FOR THIS OR NOT!
NHTSA complaint #760235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1995 Mazda Protege
Farmington Hills, MI
SEATS
THE FRONT SEAT CAME LOOSE AND WAS ROCKING CREATING THE SAFETY PROBLEM. IT REMAINED ATTACHED ON THE RIGHT SIDE BUT THE LEFT SIDE WAS LOOSE. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT TO CAUSE THE FAILURE OF THE SEAT . I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD SAID TO CONTACT MAZDA. I CONTACTED MAZDA AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE HAD OVER 100,000 MILES AND WERE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE COST TO MAKE THE SEAT SAFE AGAIN. I ASKED IF SAFETY HAD A MILEAGE LIMIT AND WAS TOLD NO BUT THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN FIXING THE SEAT. I THINK IT VIOLATES THE INTENT OF FMVSS 207 AND TOLD THEM SO.
NHTSA complaint #756298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
THE 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 PUSHED INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE CAR, AND THE TRUCK SAT IN THE BACK SEAT. THROUGH ALL OF THE IMPACT I COULD HAVE PROBABLY BEEN THROWN OUT OF MY SEAT BECAUSE MY SAT BECAME UNATTACHED, THEREBY CAUSING EXTREME DAMAGE TO MY CHEST, AND LEAVING ME WITH FRACTURED RIBS WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE AIR BAGS SIMPLY DEPLOYED. *AKFURTHERMORE, THE WHOLE THING COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF I HAD CONTROL OF STOPPING THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY FASHION.
NHTSA complaint #755364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1995 Mazda Protege
Seabeck, WA
SEATS
SEAT BEGAN ROCKING; TRIED TO TIGHTEN ANCHOR BOLT, BUT ANCHOR BROKE. NOW SEAT ROCKS COMPLETELY BACK AND FORTH....CV SHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE; HEARD CLICKING NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CV SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SIX MONTHS LATER REPLACEMENT CV SHAFT BEGAN TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #750675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2000 Mazda Protege
Athens, GA
SEATS
DRIVER'S SEAT AND BACKREST CUSHION ALREADY WEARING OUT. CAN FEEL METAL WHILE DRIVING. VERY LOUD WHISTLE FROM THE WINDSHIELD POSSIBLY FROM OUTSIDE AIR VENT NOT SEALING PROPERLY AROUND 75 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #750281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM THE REAR AT 50 MPH WHICH CAUSED DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATS TO COLLAPSE BACKWARDS, ALSO, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #881296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1995 Mazda Protege
Seat Pleasant, MD
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
SEAT LATCH MECHANISM HAS BROKEN, CAUSING SEAT TO RELEASE FROM UPRIGHT POSITION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #877897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1993 Mazda Protege
Flushing, NY
SEATS
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL FOR THE FRONT DOOR LATCH FOR IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RETRACTOR, THEY REFUSED RECALL REPAIR AND STATED THAT IT ONLY APPLIES WHEN IT GETS STUCK HALF WAY DOWN THE RETRACTOR, THE DOOR LATCH IS INOPERABLE AND THE CONSUMER FEELS THE RECALL SHOULD BE COMPLETED. (RECALL INFORMATION NOT AVAILABLE) *MJS
NHTSA complaint #558134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1995 Mazda Protege
Dupont, WA
SEATS
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HAS SEPARATED FROM TRACKS. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE.*AK THE DRIVER'S SEAT SEPARATED TWICE. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #876355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG UPON IMPACT AND THE DRIVERS SEAT BROKE CAUSING INJURIES TO LOWER BACK. NLM
NHTSA complaint #553640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2000 Mazda Protege
Worcester, MA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE METAL PLATES/BARS INSIDE THE BUCKET SEATS CAN BE FELT. AFTER 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING, THE SEAT CUSHION COMPRESSES AND THESE PLATES PUT PRESSURE ON THE LOWER BACK AND CAUSE SEVERE BACK PAIN.
NHTSA complaint #725805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1995 Mazda Protege
Herndon, VA
SEATS
THE DRIVER SEAT HAS BEEN LOOSE SINCE NEW. YH
NHTSA complaint #552539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.