1997 Mazda Protege Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 9%of 66 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Mazda Protege, 9% of the 66 complaints for this model year. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Engine idled up or down at stop with foot on brake car would sometimes race up over 300 rpms shut engine off to stop it from going higher this happened three times almost going through back of my garage also surged when trying to park and causing car to jump forward car has stalled at intersections twice they changed numerous parts including wire harness under hood grounds alternator vacuum line engine mounts when this first started to be worsening on surging and got a number for Mazda tech center by mistake and the man I talked to said he felt this should be taken up with Mazda rep for this…”
NHTSA complaint #752047, filed 2001-09“Engine check light came on, and gas gauge malfunctioned. Vehicle hesitated when starting/ dealer replaced flywheel. Also, fuel tank was disconnected, and dealer replaced fuel tank. In addition, rpms increased by 500 rpms, and repaired wiring in jamme ddoor. Also, windshield wiper blades malfunctioned/ fuse shorted out , causing radio, cd, and other electrical components to fail, and replaced canister.”
NHTSA complaint #852010, filed 2000-01Related recalls
- 15V674000Oct 19, 2015Mazda 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…Covers: Mazda Protege 1990–1998, MPV 1989–1998, 626 1993–1998 +4 more
Related service bulletins
- 10200933Aug 24, 2021This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce…
- 10188016Feb 8, 2021This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce…
- 10188015Feb 8, 2021The Mazda DCA-8000PM is required for all warranty battery testing. If the Mazda DCA-8000PM is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replacement…
- 10186703Jan 21, 2021In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer
- 10170661Jan 9, 2020In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by…
- 10153339Jan 14, 2019In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by…
- 10153309Jan 2, 2019The Mazda GR8-1291 is required for all warranty battery testing. If the Mazda GR8-1291 is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replacement. Use…
- 10153308Jan 2, 2019This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce…
- 10134929Mar 26, 2018The Mazda GR8-1291 is required for all warranty battery testing. If the Mazda GR8-1291 is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replacement. Use…
- 10134928Mar 26, 2018This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 3 | 3% |
| 2002 | 9 | 9% |
| 2001 | 3 | 6% |
| 2000 | 6 | 6% |
| 1999 | 6 | 7% |
| 1998 | 1 | 2% |
| 1997 | 6 | 9% |
| 1996 | 3 | 4% |
| 1995 | 15 | 9% |
| 1994 | 5 | 7% |
| 1993 | 3 | 7% |
| 1992 | 5 | 8% |
| 1991 | 4 | 8% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1997 Mazda Protege
12 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Mazda Protege
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology