1997 Mazda Protege Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 12%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 8 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1997 Mazda Protege, 12% 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.
“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 2000-01“Car always would speed up or idle down at diff. Times once went to 3000 rpms had to shut engine off killed at stop signs holiday changed diff components but could not stop the idling and lurching forward problem also at diff times it would idle down and stall or just idle up and down til I would shut it off and restart or just stop on the gas this idling up and lurching forward has at diff times almost caused an accident by going forward.”
NHTSA complaint #746998, filed 2001-06“Engine idled roughly. Vehicle was under warranty. Dealer tightened engine valves. 2 months later, warranty expired. Dealer dismantled engine and had to remachine the valves.”
NHTSA complaint #860309, filed 2000-04“Car engine raced while slowing to park. Car lurched forward and crashed into a fence and a building. Car had been in shop approximately one week prior to incident for high idle condition.”
NHTSA complaint #706364, filed 1999-05Related service bulletins
- 10186703Jan 21, 2021In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer
- 10148072Oct 10, 2018In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by…
- 10144333Aug 31, 2018In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by…
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 | 2% |
| 2002 | 6 | 6% |
| 2001 | 3 | 6% |
| 2000 | 5 | 5% |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% |
| 1998 | 2 | 4% |
| 1997 | 8 | 12% |
| 1996 | 4 | 6% |
| 1995 | 7 | 4% |
| 1994 | 1 | 1% |
| 1993 | 1 | 2% |
| 1992 | 4 | 6% |
| 1991 | 2 | 4% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1997 Mazda Protege
12 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsEngine cooling
9 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 30, 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