1991 Mazda Protege Problems
- Complaints
- 51filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 153,256miles, 3 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 1991 Mazda Protege (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of the 1991 Mazda Protege most often describe seat belts that malfunction, including automatic belts that stop retracting or latching, belts that do not hold or restrain the occupant, and warning lights or chimes that come on at random. Repair coverage and cost are also frequent themes, and mileage is missing from most reports, with the listed figures between about 90,000 and 194,000 miles. Some complaints also describe trunk lids that fall, smoke under the hood, and a tire tread separation.
- Seat belts
Automatic seat belts stop retracting or latching
- 19 complaints (37%)
- median 173,803 mi at 14.0 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
- filed 1995–2005
Owners describe automatic seat belts that retract slowly and then stop, stay locked in the release position, or fail to return to the retractor. Some report a motor malfunction or a broken plastic belt holder, which left the belt retracted and hard to reach. Complaints say the automatic part no longer operates, and a complaint says the dealer could not repair the belt and the owner would pay for the work. Mileage is missing from most of these reports, and the listed figure is about 194,000 miles.
What to check: Test each automatic belt in the car, checking that it retracts, latches, and returns fully. Ask the seller whether any retractor or belt holder repair was done, and get a repair estimate before buying if it was not.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The automatic shoulder belt would retract slower and slower until it finally stopped retracting. The consequences were: on april 18, 2005 I was given a fix-it ticket for not wearing my shoulder harness. The automatic harness no longer fully retracts, so it is useless.”
NHTSA complaint #10118142, filed 2005-04, 194,350 miles“Lap belt for both front passenger and driver's seat is held in an accessible location by a plastic bar on the lower outboard hinge. The plastic bar broke twice, resulting in lap belt retracting all the way to the reel, making it difficult to access while sitting in the seat.”
NHTSA complaint #513699, filed 1997-10 - Seat belts
Seat belt fails to hold or restrain the occupant
- 16 complaints (31%)
- median 121,628 mi at 15.4 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
- 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2016
Owners describe seat belts that did not hold the occupant, including a driver belt that did not restrain the driver in a side impact and a belt that detached during a crash. Other reports describe a rear belt that fell apart while the car was turning, a restraint belt that broke, and a driver belt that would not return, leaving the occupant unrestrained. A complaint says a recall for a similar motorized belt on another model does not cover this model, though it has the same part number. Mileage is missing from most of these reports; where given, it is about 90,000 to about 153,000 miles.
What to check: Buckle and check each belt, including the rear belts, for smooth operation and full locking, and inspect the belt anchors for damage. Check the recall status with the VIN on the NHTSA recall lookup, since complaints describe disputes over seat belt recall coverage.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Current recall on Mazda 323 motorized safety belt does not cover the Mazda Protege which has the identical part number. My car's belt has failed due to this defect and Mazda refuses tocover it.”
NHTSA complaint #727860, filed 2000-08“The driver's side restraint belt broke and has a beeping noise. The dealer will replace the restraint at the owner's expense. The manufacturer has been notified.”
NHTSA complaint #827895, filed 1998-09 - Seat belts
Seat belt repairs with disputed coverage or cost
- 9 complaints (18%)
- typically at 8.0 yrs old
- filed 1995–2002
Owners describe a seat belt connector that was replaced repeatedly under warranty, with the part described as nearly 300 dollars. Other complaints say the dealer would replace the belt only at the owner's expense, or could not replace it without warranty coverage. According to the complaints, the manufacturer declined to cover a belt because a related recall was said not to include this model. These reports do not list mileage, and the complaints tie the issue to warranty status and repair cost.
What to check: Ask the seller whether any seat belt repair was done under warranty or recall, and request the paperwork. Check the recall status of the vehicle with the VIN before buying, since complaints describe disputes over recall coverage.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Seat belt seat belt warning light and beep go on and off intermittently while driving due to an electrical connector wearing through in the drivers shoulder belt retractor located in the center console. Replaced several times under warranty. Part is nearly $300. Several people I know with this model and year have the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #757436, filed 2002-01“Seat belt warning light and beep go on and off intermittently while driving due to an electrical connector wearing through in the drivers shoulder belt retractor located in the center console. Replaced several times under warranty. Part is nearly $300. Several people I know with this model and year have the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #737814, filed 2000-12 - Seat belts
Seat belt warning light and chime
- 6 complaints (12%)
- typically at 6.6 yrs old
- filed 1995–2002
Owners describe a seat belt warning light and chime that come on at random, switch on and off while driving, or sound continuously after the belt is buckled. Complaints tie some of these alerts to a worn electrical connector in the driver's shoulder belt retractor, which was replaced repeatedly under warranty. Owners also ask whether the belt will still function in a crash when the warning appears. These reports do not list mileage, and the complaints describe the alerts as random, intermittent, or continuous.
What to check: Check whether the warning light and chime turn off once each belt is buckled, and ask whether the driver shoulder belt retractor connector was inspected. Ask the seller for records of any warranty repair to the belt or its connector.
An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“There is a continuous beeping sound activated when the seat belt are not secured and engine started. However, currently this alarm activates intermittently and constantly while vehicle is driven and the sea tbelt is securely buckled.”
NHTSA complaint #523220, filed 1998-02
Buying note. Buyers considering this model year should test each seat belt and retractor, including the rear belts, and ask for proof of any belt repairs and their coverage before buying.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 28 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 51 consumer complaints for the 1991 Mazda Protege. 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 153,256 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 8 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 5 technical service bulletins for this model year.
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 belts27 53%
- Body and structure7 14%
- Electrical system4 7.8%
- Brakes3 5.9%
- Engine cooling2 3.9%
- Suspension2 3.9%
- Vehicle speed control2 3.9%
- Air bags1 2.0%
- Exterior lighting1 2.0%
Also reported: Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seats (1), Tires (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Seat belts: “The contact owns a 1991 Mazda Protege. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH during rain weather conditions, the vehicle went over a pothole causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle and stopping on the shoulder of the road. The contact then attempted to drive and the vehicle spun crashing the front of the vehicle into a tree. The seat belt detached and the contact was released from the rear window. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed. The contact received knee, head, and back injuries which required medical attention. …”
NHTSA complaint #10819069, filed 2016-01, 90,000 milesBody and structure: “Trunk lid was in the up position and trunk came down and hit consumer's daughter on head. Consumer states nothing to keep the trunk lid in upright position. A slight wind or elevation could blow the open lid down and may cause serious injury.”
NHTSA complaint #8015782, filed 2002-08Electrical system: “The contact owned a 1991 Mazda Protege. While driving various speeds, smoke appeared under the hood. There were no flames visible and no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v674000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #10876750, filed 2016-06Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 90,000 and 194,350 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1991 Mazda Protege. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protege · sedan | not rated | 3 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
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 1991 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. 5 on record; the latest 5 are shown.
- 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…
- 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
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Mazda Protege?
Owners of the 1991 Mazda Protege most often describe seat belts that malfunction, including automatic belts that stop retracting or latching, belts that do not hold or restrain the occupant, and warning lights or chimes that come on at random. The issues reported most often: Automatic seat belts stop retracting or latching; Seat belt fails to hold or restrain the occupant; Seat belt repairs with disputed coverage or cost.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1991 Mazda Protege have?
NHTSA recorded 51 consumer complaints for the 1991 Mazda Protege as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 Mazda Protege is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 27 complaints (53% of the total), followed by body and structure with 7.
Has the 1991 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 1991 Mazda Protege reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 153,256 miles and the middle half falls between 90,000 and 194,350 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program.
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.