1997 Mazda Protege Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 15%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 10 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Mazda Protege, 15% of the 66 complaints for this model year. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“When driving on highway, the overdrive light started to flash and tachometer went to 5000 rpms, vehicle did not accelerate and did not change gear. The second time, driver lost control and hit a curb while driving on slippery road.”
NHTSA complaint #523217, filed 1997-09“While vehicle is in reverse and then switches to drive, vehicle will jump without a warning. One time resulted in crash into a cement wall, driver was injured.”
NHTSA complaint #860617, filed 2000-04Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 12 | 10% |
| 2002 | 17 | 17% |
| 2001 | 6 | 12% |
| 2000 | 29 | 28% |
| 1999 | 22 | 25% |
| 1998 | 15 | 33% |
| 1997 | 10 | 15% |
| 1996 | 8 | 11% |
| 1995 | 19 | 12% |
| 1994 | 7 | 9% |
| 1993 | 2 | 5% |
| 1992 | 4 | 6% |
| 1991 | 4 | 8% |
| 1990 | 2 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1997 Mazda Protege
12 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsElectrical system
6 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 29, 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