1997 Mazda PROTEGE: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10020404 · 2003-06-04 (June 4, 2003)
CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *MR *PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020404 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038858 · 2003-09-14 (September 14, 2003)
AFTER INVESTIGATING "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" OVER A PERIOD OF 5 MONTHS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A VALVE PROBLEM IN THE FIRST CYLINDER WAS CAUSING A LACK OF COMPRESSION AND POOR ENGINE PERFORMANCE. 2 OXYGEN SENSORS WERE REPLACED, AS WELL AS 8 VALVES AND OTHER PARTS, TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. WE SPENT A TOTAL OF $1791.78 BEFORE THE CAR WAS FIXED. WE LEARNED FROM OUR MAZDA DEALER THAT A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED 6/10/98 THAT COVERED THIS PROBLEM. WE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MAZDA AREA REP, AND NO REIMBURSEMENT WAS ISSUED. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. 83,068 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038858 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043933 · 2003-10-15 (October 15, 2003)
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND ACCELERATION IS POOR.*MR ENCLOSED ARE COPIES OF THE RECEIPTS AND SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED IN REFERENCE TO THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. *CB THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS FINALLY IDENTIFIED AS A FAULTY VALVEIN CYLINDER #1. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10043933 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068748 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
AFTER FIXING THE CATALYST CONVERTER, IT THEN GOES OUT AGAIN REQUIRING ME TO HAVE IT FIXED AGAIN
Owner-reported narrative. 108,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068748 at NHTSA ↗
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 566438 · 2002-07-08 (July 8, 2002)
THERE WAS A SEVERE WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AREA, DEALER FOUND THE G1 BEARING WAS WORN ON THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT TO THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE, THE NOISE CONTINUED TO GET LOUDER AND THE DEALER FOUND THE SWAY BAR LINKS TO BE DEFECTIVE, CONSUMER IS ASKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS MADE. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 566438 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 ↗
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 ↗