1998 Mazda Protege Problems
- Complaints
- 46filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 82,100miles, 8 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 25 mpgcombined, 1.5L 4-cyl FWD · 22 city / 30 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Mazda Protege (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 1998 Mazda Protege. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 15 complaints (33% of the total), followed by engine cooling (10) and brakes (5). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 82,100 miles. Of all complaints, 8 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 52 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins 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.
- Engine cooling10 22%
- Brakes5 11%
- Air bags3 6.5%
- Seat belts3 6.5%
- Tires3 6.5%
- Vehicle speed control2 4.3%
- Electrical system1 2.2%
Also reported: Equipment (1), Other or unknown (1), Seats (1), Steering (1), Suspension (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “Automatic transmission problems. Vehicle downshifts for no reason. Intermittent times car will downshift to lower gear when foot removed from accelerator pedal whether on streets or freeway. Car is renderd unusable by wife.”
NHTSA complaint #10059969, filed 2004-02, 98,401 milesEngine cooling: “Called Mazda dealer in regards to cracked exhaust manifold basically told me that since it wasn't under warranty anymore there was nothing they could do. I have called 25 different salvage yards in georgia and this seems to be a hot item right now because I can't get one. To buy one from the dealer will cost me over $300.00 . I know there should be a recall on this.”
NHTSA complaint #753984, filed 2001-11Brakes: “After many trips to the dealership and once to a local brake shop, I continue to have a problem with extremely soft brakes. This is most problematic when it rains. I've had the dealership tighten them and replace pads three times, but within a couple of”
NHTSA complaint #723805, filed 2000-06Air bags: “While driving at a speed of 55mph consumer was rear ended and then was hit from the drivers side of the vehicle. As a result, vehicle was pushed into the back of a eighteen wheeler, and niether of the air bags deployed.”
NHTSA complaint #847554, filed 1999-09Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 64,737 and 99,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 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 / – | — | — | — |
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.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1998 Mazda Protege version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protege FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 26 | 33 | 29 | $2,300 |
| Protege FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Protege FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 29 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Protege FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,900 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
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 1998 Mazda Protege → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
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. 52 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10217209Jul 18, 2022Electrical system. In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer.
- 10215274Jun 22, 2022Electrical system. This 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 unnecessary battery…
- 10209761Mar 29, 2022Equipment. Accessory instructions can be found on OneMazda under Dealer Resources - Parts & Accessories.
- 10209778Mar 17, 2022Equipment, Electrical system. The Mazda DCA-8000 is required for all warranty battery testing. If the Mazda DCA-8000 is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replacement. Use the following test…
- 10205994Dec 21, 2021Electrical system. Battery Maintenance: This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to…
- 10206002Dec 8, 2021Transmission and drivetrain. Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Cooler and Lines Flushing Procedure: Automatic Transaxle/Transmission (A/T) oil cooler and lines must be power flushed completely before an overhauled or replacement…
- 10200933Aug 24, 2021Electrical system, Engine cooling. This 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 unnecessary battery…
- 10200527Aug 17, 2021Equipment. This service bulletin provides information regarding the proper use of the driverâÂÂs floor mat to avoid any potential interference with the foot pedals. The following are possible causes of…
- 10198689Jun 9, 2021Equipment. Accessory instructions can be found on OneMazda under Dealer Resources - Parts & Accessories. The links provided below can be used for quick access: For 2016 models and newer: NOTE: Instructions are…
- 10188016Feb 8, 2021Electrical system. This 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 unnecessary battery…
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 1998 Mazda Protege have?
NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 1998 Mazda Protege as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 Mazda Protege is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 15 complaints (33% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 10.
Has the 1998 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.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Mazda Protege get?
The EPA rates the 1998 Mazda Protege (Protege, 1.5L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 22 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Mazda Protege reported?
Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 82,100 miles and the middle half falls between 64,737 and 99,000 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 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
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.