1999 Mazda Protege recalls & problems

3 recalls 88 complaints

3recalls
88owner complaints
21crashes reported
1fires reported
20 / 0injuries / deaths

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 1999 Mazda Protege and 88 owner complaints. The part owners complain about most is power train (22 reports), followed by air bags (21). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers – enter your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your car still has an open recall.

1999 Mazda Protege recalls

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

16,270 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

61,944 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Equipment · NHTSA 00V301000 · Oct 5, 2000

Problem: 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.

Fix: Dealers will affix aluminum tape over the audio unit to prevent water from entering.

23,000 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

1999 Mazda Protege problems by component

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train 22
100
Air Bags 21
21015
Tires 13
000
Engine and Engine Cooling 8
000
Electrical System 6
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 6
304
Seats 4
101
Unknown or Other 4
000
Steering 3
000
Suspension 3
000
Seat Belts 2
000
Fuel System, Gasoline 2
010
Exterior Lighting 2
000
Structure 1
000
Equipment 1
000
Engine 1
000
Vehicle Speed Control 1
000
Visibility 1
000
Wheels 1
000

Latest owner complaints

Engine · Feb 13, 2018 · VA

The plastic dip stick to check oil snapped off

Exterior Lighting · Oct 30, 2015 · 57,000 miles · KY

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…

Electrical System · Oct 30, 2015 · 57,000 miles · KY

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…

Electrical System · Mar 19, 2015 · 76,987 miles · NC

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

Exterior Lighting · May 29, 2011 · MO

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…

Electrical System · May 29, 2011 · MO

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…

Seat Belts · Jan 21, 2010 · 140,000 miles · MN

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

Air Bags · Sep 22, 2009 · 127,000 miles · SC · crash · 1 injured

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…

Tires · Apr 8, 2009 · CA

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…

Power Train · Nov 25, 2008 · 75,000 miles · CA

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.…

Electrical System · Jun 28, 2007 · WA

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…

Engine and Engine Cooling · Jul 8, 2005 · MS

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

Other Mazda Protege years

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Frequently asked questions

Does the 1999 Mazda Protege have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls covering the 1999 Mazda Protege, the most recent one (09E012000) for exterior lighting. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Mazda Protege?

Based on 88 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are power train (22), air bags (21), tires (13).

Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 1999 Mazda Protege?

Owners reported 21 crashes, 1 fire, 20 injuries and 0 deaths in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.