1998 Mazda PROTEGE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
82,101 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 32 complaints (15.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 15.6% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 12.5% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 6.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 2 |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 2; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 2; Air Bags: 1; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electrical System: 1
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 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 24 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 | 8 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2000: 8; 2001: 3; 2002: 7; 2003: 4; 2004: 4; 2005: 2; 2008: 2; 2017: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 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 10059969 · 2004-02-28 (February 28, 2004)
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.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 98,401 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059969 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10096831 · 2004-10-26 (October 26, 2004)
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *BF THE VEHICLE IS ON ITS 4TH TRANSMISSION. *TC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10096831 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10229940 · 2008-06-04 (June 4, 2008)
I WAS DRIVING ALONE MY 1998 MAZDA PROTEGE ALONG A LOCAL ROUTE IN TEWKSBURY MA IN LIGHT RAIN AT ABOUT 30-35 MPH WHEN A CAR A FEW CARS AHEAD OF ME MADE A QUICK STOP FOR A LEFT TURN. SEVERAL CAR BEHIND STOPPED WITHOUT PROBLEM, BUT I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP AND SKID ALL THE WAY INTO THE CAR AT FRONT WHICH WAS A 2002 CAMRY. AT THE TIME THE CAR AT FRONT OF ME HIT THE BRAKE I TAPPED ON MY BRAKE ALMOST AT THE SAME TIME AND THERE WERE ABOUT 10 CAR LENGTH DISTANCE BETWEEN ME AND THE 2002 CAMRY THAT I HIT EVENTUALLY. THE TRACTION PROVIDED BY MY TIRES ARE …
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10229940 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 719197 · 2000-02-24 (February 24, 2000)
THIS PROBLEM DIDN'T RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE PROBLEM I AM HAVE IS THAT MY CAR IS MAKING A VERY BAD KNOCKING NOISE EVERYTIME I APPLY THE BRAKES BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BY TO DENNIS EAKIN MAZDA ABOUT TWO WEEK AFTER I PURCHASE IT. THEY INFORMED ME IT WERE THE BRAKE CALIPERS SLIDES. THEY HAD TO ORDER THE SLIDES. THE SLIDES CAN IN AND WERE REPLACED. THE NOISE STOPPED FOR ABOUT TWO OR THREE WEEKS AND STARTED BACK. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE AGAIN TO DENNIS EAKIN AND THIS TIME THE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 719197 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011635 · 2003-04-03 (April 3, 2003)
THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DROP INTO A LOWER GEAR, AN THE ENGINE ACTED AS THOUGH IT WOULD STALL AND THEN BUCKED ERRATICALLY. *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011635 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 768998 · 2002-10-28 (October 28, 2002)
THE VEHICLE STALLS WHEN PUSHING IN THE CLUTCH. WHEN PUSHING IN THE CLUTCH, THE IDLE DROPS TO 0 AND THE CAR SHAKES BEFORE RETURNING TO IT'S NORMAL IDLE SPEED, APPROX. 500 RPM, OR IT JUST STALLS. THIS HAS CAUSED HARROWING MOMENTS WHEN PUSHING IN THE CLUTCH AND BRAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS ON EXIT RAMPS AND PULLING INTO PARKING SPOTS. IT HAS BEEN BACK TO (2) MAZDA DEALERS 3 TIMES AND EACH TIME I AM TOLD THAT IT IS THE GAS I USE, BUT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR 40,000 MILES NOW AND IS GETTING WORSE. DT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 768998 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10993819 · 2017-06-07 (June 7, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MAZDA PROTEGE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE IGNITION SWITCH ALONG WITH THE KEYS BECAME HOT TO THE TOUCH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ORDERED UNKNOWN PARTS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED SKYLAND MAZDA AT [phone removed]2 AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMA…
Owner-reported narrative. 200,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10993819 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10249129 · 2008-11-18 (November 18, 2008)
WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION STEERING PRODUCES A GRINDING NOISE. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING RACK AND PINION HAS MALFUNCTIONED. MIDAS ASKING FOR $1400 AND SAYS THIS IS COMMON MAZDA PROTEGE 1998 PROBLEM. I FOUND SIMILAR ALREADY EXISTING COMPLAINT BY SOMEONE ELSE (REFERENCE NUMBER: 10083656). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 99,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10249129 at NHTSA ↗