1991 Mazda PROTEGE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
153,256 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 31 complaints (25.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 9.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 9.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 8 |
| Seat Belts | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Warning Light/Devices | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 8; Seat Belts: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Warning Light/Devices: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 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 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 2
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 28 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 11 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
1995: 11; 1996: 7; 2000: 3; 2002: 4; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2008: 1; 2016: 2
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10051911 · 2003-12-22 (December 22, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE'S HOOD DETACHED RESULTING IN THE HOOD HITTING THE WINDSHIELD.*MR *CB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10051911 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10066303 · 2004-04-16 (April 16, 2004)
THE SEAT BELT CORD ON MY 1991 MAZDA PROTEGE HAS BECOME INOPERABLE AND THEREFORE I HAVE NO TOP SEAT BELT ON MY CARS DRIVER SIDE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 153,256 miles reported. Look up ODI 10066303 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10118142 · 2005-04-20 (April 20, 2005)
THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT WOULD RETRACT SLOWER AND SLOWER UNTIL IT FINALLY STOPPED RETRACTING. THE CONSEQUENCES WERE: ON APRIL 18, 2005 I WAS GIVEN A FIX-IT TICKET FOR NOT WEARING MY SHOULDER HARNESS.*AK THE AUTOMATIC HARNESS NO LONGER FULLY RETRACTS, SO IT IS USELESS.
Owner-reported narrative. 194,350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10118142 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10236314 · 2008-07-29 (July 29, 2008)
REAR STRUT TOWERS RUST RIGHT THROUGH. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10236314 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10819069 · 2016-01-08 (January 8, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 MAZDA PROTEGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH DURING RAIN WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A POTHOLE CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STOPPING ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT THEN ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE SPUN CRASHING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE INTO A TREE. THE SEAT BELT DETACHED AND THE CONTACT WAS RELEASED FROM THE REAR WINDOW. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED KNEE, HEAD, AND …
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10819069 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10876750 · 2016-06-27 (June 27, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1991 MAZDA PROTEGE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO FLAMES VISIBLE AND NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10876750 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484256 · 1995-07-10 (July 10, 1995)
BRAKES SQUEAK. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484256 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505045 · 1996-05-25 (May 25, 1996)
SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURY. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505045 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
15V674000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Reported: 2015-10-19 (October 19, 2015)
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 inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
Consequence: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.
NHTSA campaign record ↗