1990 Mazda Protege Problems
- Complaints
- 37filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 167,125miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Mazda Protege (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 1990 Mazda Protege. The part named most often is seat belts, with 21 complaints (57% of the total), followed by engine cooling (4) and steering (3). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 167,125 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 7 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts21 57%
- Engine cooling4 11%
- Steering3 8.1%
- Equipment2 5.4%
- Other or unknown2 5.4%
- Electrical system1 2.7%
- Exterior lighting1 2.7%
- Seats1 2.7%
Also reported: Suspension (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Seat belts: “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. 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, filed 2004-06, 128,000 milesEngine cooling: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #717845, filed 2000-01Steering: “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, filed 2002-06Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “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, filed 2001-11Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 128,000 and 206,250 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 15V674000Oct 19, 2015Electrical system › Ignition › SwitchCovers: Mazda Protege 1990–1998, MPV 1989–1998, 626 1993–1998 +4 more
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…
Recall details for the 1990 Mazda Protege → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE94059Auto restraint system failClosed · Jul 28, 1994
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 7 on record; the latest 7 are shown.
- 10154879Mar 20, 2019Engine cooling, Equipment, Fuel system. In support of the new MRT distribution, Mazda will ship to dealers a new Dual Purpose Diagnostic Leak Detector beginning March, 2019. Training videos will be posted to MGSS shortly and Workshop…
- 10153339Jan 14, 2019Electrical system. In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State…
- 10148072Oct 10, 2018Vehicle speed control, Equipment. In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State…
- 10144333Aug 31, 2018Vehicle speed control. In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State…
- 10118467Aug 7, 2017Equipment, Electrical system. In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State…
- 10213425Feb 17, 2016Electrical system. Speedometer replacement procedure
- 10098367Aug 15, 2014Equipment. In accordance with federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer.note:mazda vehicles are manufactured with tamper-proof speedometers.when a speedometer is…
Other model years of the Mazda Protege
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 120 | 67,000 | 0 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 98 | 61,000 | 0 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 50 | 45,500 | 1 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 102 | 45,000 | 1 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 88 | 64,065 | 1 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 46 | 82,100 | 1 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 66 | 99,000 | 1 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 70 | 42,000 | 1 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 165 | 79,000 | 4 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 74 | 95,000 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 44 | 183,000 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 63 | 92,000 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 51 | 153,256 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 37 | 167,125 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Mazda Protege model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 Mazda Protege have?
NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 1990 Mazda Protege as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Mazda Protege is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 21 complaints (57% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 4.
Has the 1990 Mazda Protege been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1990 Mazda Protege reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 167,125 miles and the middle half falls between 128,000 and 206,250 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.