1990 Mazda Protege recalls & problems

The 1990 Mazda Protege has 1 safety recall and 37 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is seat belts (22 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints37filed by owners

Crashes · fires3 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical system › Ignition › Switch

NHTSA recall 15V674000 · Oct 19, 2015 · 1,368,500 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Seat belts Front › Retractor; Front › Buckle assembly	22	3	0	3	—
Engine and engine cooling Cooling system › Radiator assembly; Exhaust system › Emission control	5	0	1	0	—
Visibility Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core; Power window devices and controls	4	0	0	0	—
Steering Linkages › Tie rod assembly; Linkages › Arm › Idler and attachment	3	0	0	0	—
Equipment Appliance › Air conditioner; Mechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift	2	0	0	0	—
Power train Driveline › Constant velocity joint	2	0	0	0	—
Unknown or other	2	0	0	2	—
Seats Front assembly › Recliner	1	1	0	1	—
Electrical system Ignition	1	0	0	0	—
Exterior lighting Headlights	1	0	0	0	—
Suspension	1	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal	1	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Apr 27, 2012 · 206,250 milesSeat belts
SEAT BELT TRACK JAMMED, DEALER WILL NOT COVER, ALTHOUGH THERE APPEARS TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ALREADY. *TR
Jan 1, 1901 · 128,000 milesSeat belts › Front
THE FRONT AUTOMATIC PASSIVE RESTRAINT SEAT BELTS SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE BECAUSE THE RAIL IS BAD. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPLACE THE RAIL AS STATED IN THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT RAIL RECALL 97V211000. THERE IS CONFLICT BETWEEN THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURE CONCERNING WHAT PART IN THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL. *NM THE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELT IS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RAIL THUS MAKING IT INOPERATIVE. THE DRIVER'S SHOULDER BELT IS STUCK IN THE REAR OF THE RAIL AND IS ALSO INOPERATIVE. *NM
Mar 25, 2002 · crashVehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
WHEN BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY PLACED CAR IN DRIVE AND DEPRESSED GAS, AND VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND CRASHED. GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK TO THE FLOOR.*AK
Jun 1, 2002Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
THIS PART IS DESIGNED WITH NO RETAINER AS ON PREVIOUS PARTS WHICH WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS FAILURE. MOST COMPACT MAZDA AND FORD MODELS HAVE THIS TYPE TIE ROD END. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL FORD ESCORT OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE PARTS WERE AS NEW AS FIVE MONTHS OLD AND FAILED CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL.*AK
Nov 19, 2001Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
WHILE DRIVING WINDSHIELD BECOMES EXTREMELY FOGGED, CAUSING POOR VISBILITY DUE A MALFUNCTION WITHIN HEATER CORE WHICH HAS BEEN REPLACED, BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Nov 13, 2001Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
WHILE DRIVING CAN SMELL ANTI-FREEZE, AND WINDSHIELD BECOMES ABSOLUTELY FOGGY. ALSO, HEATER CORE HAS PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Jan 15, 2000Seat belts
DRIVER'S SIDE MOTOR BELT FAILED TO OPERATE, LEAVING DRIVER WITHOUT ANY RESTRAINT. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL, AND REPAIRS WOULD ONLY BE MADE AT CONSUMER'S COST.*AK
May 15, 1997Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
CAR WAS PURCHASED USED IN 1997. CAR HAS ALWAYS HAD SOME VIBRATION WHEN IT IDLES. IN NOVEMBER OF 1998 CAR BEGAN OVERHEATING. RADIATOR WAS REPLACED BUT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. TOOK BACK TO HAVE REPAIRED. THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED AND WHILE REPLACING THE THERMISTAT A CRACKED SENSOR WAS ALSO FOUND AND REPLACED. THIS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. IN DECEMBER OF 1998 FRONT DRIVERSIDE SHOULDER SEAT BELT FROZE. IT WOULD NOT RETRACT ALL THE WAY BACK. IT WOULD MAKE A CONSTANT CLICKING NOSE. THE WIRES WERE ALSO OFF THE TRACK. HAD TO DISCONNECT THE FUSE TO SHUT OFF THE CLICKING NOISE. HAD AN ESTIMITE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED WHICH WAS APPROX. 900.00.

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

EA94039 · opened Nov 30, 1994 · closed Nov 26, 1997 · led to recall 97V211000AUTO RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAIL
There is no summary currently available
PE94059 · opened Jul 28, 1994 · closed Nov 30, 1994AUTO RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAIL
There is no summary currently available