1990 Mazda Protege
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mazda › Protege › 1990
These records cover every 1990 Mazda Protege. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1990 Mazda Protege. Newest first.
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 and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
37 complaints3 involved a crash1 involved a fire4 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Seat belts
Seat belt track jammed, dealer will not cover, although there appears to be a recall for this issue already. *tr
- Seat 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…
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
- Vehicle 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
- Steering › 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
- Visibility › 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
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core · Visibility › Windshield
While driving can smell anti-freeze, and windshield becomes absolutely foggy. Also, heater core has problems. Please provide any further information. *Ak
- Seat 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
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly · Seat belts › Front › Buckle 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…
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.
- Suspension
The vehicle experiences excessive vibration from the steering wheel, car windows and back rear doors. nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Motor mounts failed causing excessive vibration. Mjs
- Equipment › Mechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift · Seat belts
Motorbelts experience erratic operation intermittently. Mjs
- Unknown or other
Child run over by vehicle after falling out of partially opened door, possible design flaw in not having indicator for opened door. (Attorney for consumer).
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
At cold temperatures the high-beam (headlights) fail to come on. Normal(low beam) lights shut off at this point resulting in no headlights. After vehicle has warmed high-beams work as expected.
- Seat belts
Consumer was driving vehicle when the motorized shoulder restraint would not release properly. She was pulling and heard a clicking noise, and belt was stuck. Dealership (big sky auto ) mechanic called mazda manufacturer, and was told the vehicle was too old, and they would not fix. *ak
- Unknown or other
Because of design of car there was no light or signal to indicate to the driver that the rear door was not totally closed resulting in a young child falling out of the car and being struck by the vehilce.(attorney for consumer).
- Seat belts › Front › Webbing
Shoulder harness failed.
- Electrical system › Ignition
Any electrical functions connected to the ignition being turned on, failed to work properly, such as windshield wipers/air conditioner/heater & anything else affecting visibility of the driver. *ak
- Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
Front inner tie rod separated at joint. Causing loss of steering.
- Seat belts
Retractable seat belt latches on both sides are failing.
- Seat belts · Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
While stopped, vehicle was rearended by moving vehicle that was traveling 35 mph. driver fell forward/backward, seatback reclined, left side of seat broke, motorized shoulder belt did not retract. dealer replaced seat frame. Found no problem with seat belt. *ak consumer sustained injuries to the neck, upper back, right shoulder, arm, hand, and shoulder blade. *slc
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor · Steering › Linkages › Arm › Idler and attachment
The pasenger's seat belt retractor never worked, also cruise control malfunctioned, purchased used vehicle. *ak
- Seat belts
Driver's side automatic restraint system failed to function, to exit vehicle, driver manually pressed buckle's release button, in event of an accident, occupant could be trapped inside of vehicle. *ak
- Power train › Driveline › Constant velocity joint
Outer cv boots replaced.
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
Oxygen sensor replaced three times due to 'check engine' warning light coming on when vehicle IS started. *Dsh
- Seat belts
Automatic seat belt release button broke from minor physical force. *Sd
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Auto restraint system fail
There is no summary currently available
- Auto restraint system fail
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10213425Speedometer replacement procedure
- 10154879In support of the new MRT distribution, Mazda will ship to dealers a new Dual Purpose Diagnostic Leak Detector beginning March, 2019. Training videos will be posted to MGSS shortly and Workshop Manual procedures will be revised gradually.
- 10153339In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealer's responsibility to comply with Federal, State, and local laws concerning odometer and related documentation requirements when providing a repair or replacement. Mazda vehicles are manufactured with tamper-proof speedometers. When a speedometer is replaced, the new speedometer will read zero (0) miles. This procedure is extremely important to accurately represent actual vehicle mileage. Prior to speedometer removal, complete the information required on the "Speedometer Replacement Label". Labels can only be ordered through Mazda eStore. In an effort to achieve a higher level of Customer Experience and retain the value of Mazda's vehicles, MNAO Warranty Operations is allowing all Mazda dealers to utilize a third party, SPECMO Enterprises, Inc., for Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) odometer setting service. With the use of SPECMO's services, it is possible that the odometer will be set between 10 to 31 miles over the odometer mileage at the time of replacement for both warranty and customer pay repairs. Please make sure that the customer is aware that there may be a slight variance to the odometer, in which case the customer may have to accept the slightly higher mileage. Since odometer setting service is not part of the warranty repair, it is not warrantable nor required, but optional. However, Mazda Warranty policy provides after-warranty assistance (AWA) or DSA that can be utilized to cover this service expense.
- 10148072In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealer's responsibility to comply with Federal, State, and local laws concerning odometer and related documentation requirements when providing a repair or replacement. Mazda vehicles are manufactured with tamper-proof speedometers. When a speedometer is replaced, the new speedometer will read zero (0) miles. This procedure is extremely important to accurately represent actual vehicle mileage. Prior to speedometer removal, complete the information required on the "Speedometer Replacement Label". Labels can only be ordered through Mazda eStore. In an effort to achieve a higher level of Customer Experience and retain the value of Mazda's vehicles, MNAO Warranty Operations is allowing all Mazda dealers to utilize a third party, SPECMO Enterprises, Inc., for Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) odometer setting service. With the use of SPECMO's services, it is possible that the odometer will be set between 10 to 31 miles over the odometer mileage at the time of replacement for both warranty and customer pay repairs. Please make sure that the customer is aware that there may be a slight variance to the odometer, in which case the customer may have to accept the slightly higher mileage. Since odometer setting service is not part of the warranty repair, it is not warrantable nor required, but optional. However, Mazda Warranty policy provides after- warranty assistance (AWA) or DSA that can be utilized to cover this service expense.
- 10144333In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealer's responsibility to comply with Federal, State, and local laws concerning odometer and related documentation requirements when providing a repair or replacement. Mazda vehicles are manufactured with tamper-proof speedometers. When a speedometer is replaced, the new speedometer will read zero (0) miles. This procedure is extremely important to accurately represent actual vehicle mileage. Prior to speedometer removal, complete the information required on the "Speedometer Replacement Label". Labels can only be ordered through Mazda eStore. In an effort to achieve a higher level of Customer Experience and retain the value of Mazda's vehicles, MNAO Warranty Operations is allowing all Mazda dealers to utilize a third party, SPECMO Enterprises, Inc., for Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) odometer setting service. With the use of SPECMO's services, it is possible that the odometer will be set between 10 to 31 miles over the odometer mileage at the time of replacement for both warranty and customer pay repairs. Please make sure that the customer is aware that there may be a slight variance to the odometer, in which case the customer may have to accept the slightly higher mileage. Since odometer setting service is not part of the warranty repair, it is not warrantable nor required, but optional. However, Mazda Warranty policy provides after-warranty assistance (AWA) or DSA that can be utilized to cover this service expense.
- 10118467In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealer?s responsibility to comply with Federal, State, and local laws concerning odometerand related documentation requirements when providing a repair or replacement. Mazda vehicles are manufactured with tamper-proof speedometers. When a speedometer is replaced, the new speedometer will read zero (0) miles. This procedure is extremely important to accurately represent actual vehicle mileage. Prior to speedometer removal, complete the information required on the ?SpeedometerReplacement Label?.Labels can only be ordered through Mazda eStore. In an effort to achieve a higher level of Customer Experience and retain the value of Mazda?s vehicles, MNAO Warranty Operations is allowing all Mazda dealers to utilize a third party, SPECMO Enterprises, Inc., for Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) odometer setting service.With the use of SPECMO?s services, a Mazda dealer can get the odometer setting updated to reflect the correct mileage at the time of replacement for both warranty and customer pay repairs, therefore resulting in a higher level of customer satisfaction. Since odometer setting service is not part of the warranty repair, it is not warrantable nor required, but optional. However, Mazda Warranty policy provides after- warranty assistance (AWA) or DSA that can be utilized to cover this service expense.
- 10098367In accordance with federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer.note:mazda vehicles are manufactured with tamper-proof speedometers.when a speedometer IS replaced, the new speedometer will read zero (0) miles.this procedure IS extremely important to accurately represent actual vehicle mileage.prior to speedometer removal, complete the information required on the speedometer replace-ment label. Labels can only be ordered through mstore, not mdcs.
- 10009427Battery test procedure requirements.
- 10009424Speedometer replacement procedure.
- 605988Experiencing popping noise from front brake caliper during slow speed braking.
- 603891Conditions with steering wheel slightly off center.
- 603882Subject on passive seat belt retractor switch.
- 54319Pre-painting preparations for front and rear bumpers.
- 54318Subject pertaining to mtx overhaul information.
- 52520Parts replacement after airbag deployment.
- 52503Maintenance free battery - diagnostic and charging procedure.
- 52497Use of a/c tracer dye.
- 52492Wiper motor inoperative - circuit breaker activation.
- 44000Unknown
- 39687Fuel lid with remote fuel lid opener will not open.
- 39685Difficult operation of the power door lock.
- 39681Front door assist/grip breakage.
Every Mazda Protege model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.