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Latches, locks and linkagesPart report

1998 Mazda Protege Latches, locks and linkages Problems

Complaints
2about this part
Share
4%of 46 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 1998 Mazda Protege, 4% of the 46 complaints for this model year.

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.

“Coverings on driver and passenger side key locks that prevent moisture from entering the lock were made from plastic. This plastic becomes brittle after several years of exposure and use and can break. When the part breaks, pieces from the broken cover can easily be lodged in the lock rendering the lock unusable (as happened to me).”

NHTSA complaint #762876, filed 2002-06

Latches, locks and linkages: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200311%
200222%
200044%
199824%
199611%
199521%
199411%
199312%
199212%
199112%

Other parts of the 1998 Mazda Protege

Transmission and drivetrain
15 complaints
Engine cooling
10 complaints
Brakes
5 complaints
Air bags
3 complaints
Seat belts
3 complaints
Tires
3 complaints
Vehicle speed control
2 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaints
Electrical system
1 complaints
Equipment
1 complaints
Other or unknown
1 complaints
Seats
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1998 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