1997 Mazda PROTEGE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
99,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 29 complaints (13.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 20.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 17.2% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 6.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.4% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 4 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 2 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 2 |
| Suspension:Rear | 2 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control: 4; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 2; Structure:Body:Door: 2; Suspension:Rear: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 26 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 11 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
2000: 11; 2001: 7; 2002: 6; 2003: 3; 2004: 1; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10367075 · 2010-11-22 (November 22, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MAZDA PROTG DX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TAKING HIS VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,000. UPDATED 02/11/11 *BF UPDATED 11/30/2011 *LN
Owner-reported narrative. 99,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10367075 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 727784 · 2000-08-13 (August 13, 2000)
1) AIRBAG DIDNT DEPLOY DURING A RIGHT ANGLE (T BONE) ACCIDENT AT AN INTERSECTION .. THE DRIVER (ME) SYSTAINED HEAD AND FACE / CHEST INJURIES. 2) SINCE NEW THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE ON MY NON ABS CAR LOCKES UP VERY EASILY, AND HAS CAUSED A SPIN OUT IN SEVERAL CASES, ON WET SURFACES. A DEALER TRIED TO DO SOMETHING, BUT IT HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. FURTHER, WHEN I WROTE MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE HQ, THEY SIMPLY SAID TO GO BACK TO A DEALER FOR THEIR JUDGEMENT / ACTION TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 727784 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 727932 · 2000-08-14 (August 14, 2000)
MAZDA PRO HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS RESULTING IN 2 ENGINE FIRES IN 3-4 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 727932 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 751239 · 2001-08-27 (August 27, 2001)
BATTERY EXPLODED WHEN I TURNED ON THE IGNITION PUT 3 DENTS IN THE HOOD, MAZDA BATTREY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 751239 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 746998 · 2001-06-18 (June 18, 2001)
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. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 746998 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 752047 · 2001-09-10 (September 10, 2001)
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 FE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 752047 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8008186 · 2002-04-22 (April 22, 2002)
OVERDRIVE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, WHEN SHIFTING VEHICLE WILL KICK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8008186 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 832154 · 2000-02-09 (February 9, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MHP ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE CONSUMER PUMPED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE SLID INTO THE OTHER VEHICLE, REARENDING IT. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY UNTIL THE CONSUMER HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND BROKE THE BIGGEST STERNUM BONE IN HER CHEST. ALSO, THE SHOULDER BELT DIDN'T HOLD THE CONSUMER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 832154 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 852010 · 2000-01-18 (January 18, 2000)
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. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 852010 at NHTSA ↗