1999 Mazda Protege Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 7%of 88 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 66,994miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Mazda Protege, 7% of the 88 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,994 miles. 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.
“Check engine light on no matter what the reading says change all parts will go off but back on and fail inspection mass air flow sensor has been change three times and cayli. Converter twice.”
NHTSA complaint #10695482, filed 2015-03, 76,987 miles“The headlights no longer work on low beam. The high beams still work. Upon removing the steering column cover and unplugging the wiring harness I found that the connector is literally burned and melted at the point of connection in the harness. Mazda no longer makes the part and I cannot have it fixed by a mechanic because the part is almost impossible to find in a used salvaged vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10403706, filed 2011-05“We own a Mazda Protege 1999. Both the headlights & bright lights failed. We tried replacing bulbs & a relay, neither of which worked. The car is currently at an independent automobile electrical shop. The owner stated that the internal wiring for these components burned out. This could have caused an internal fire behind the dashboard. The wires were not exposed under the hood so we could not have known that they were wearing thin. I have been in contact with Mazda USA as the mechanic told me that this was a common problem with Mazda. …”
NHTSA complaint #10194870, filed 2007-06“The contact owns a 1999 Mazda Protege. The contact stated that while driving at any speed, the instrument panel lights started to flicker and failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the there was an electrical wiring failure that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10787224, filed 2015-10, 57,000 miles“The transmission was faulty which caused a high pitched whistle noise in the vehicle, the dealer replaced the transmission, on four occasions while driving the vehicle would jerk into a lower gear without warning, the vehicle was taken to the dealer but the problem could not be duplicated and no repairs were made (vehicle was still under warranty), on one occasion the vehicle was slipping in and out of gear and it stalled at which time it could not be restarted, the dealer then suggested that the wiring harness was the problem but could no guarantee that the slippage would not reoccur. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #568376, filed 2002-12Related recalls
- 00V301000Oct 5, 2000Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with a particular factory installed audio unit. If the vehicle is operated at low speed in a hot and humid…Covers: Mazda Protege 1999
Related service bulletins
- 10232299Feb 28, 2023Speedometer replacement procedure
- 10217209Jul 18, 2022In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer.
- 10215274Jun 22, 2022This 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…
- 10209778Mar 17, 2022The 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…
- 10205994Dec 21, 2021Battery Maintenance: This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged…
- 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…
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 1999 Mazda Protege
22 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsTires
12 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Mazda Protege
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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