Total Complaints
60 filings
MAZDA PROTEGE · model year
1991 MAZDA PROTEGE
60 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1991MAZDAPROTEGE carries 60 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 2 fires, 9 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1991 PROTEGE is seat belts:front:retractor with 10 filings, followed by seat belts (8) and seat belts:front:anchorage (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1991 PROTEGE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
60
Complaints
6
Crashes
2
Fires
9
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
6 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 10 |
| SEAT BELTS | 8 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 4 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 2 |
| WHEELS | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20160627FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
20160108CrashAIR BAGS
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 BACK INJURIES WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 03/15/16*LJ *TR
Mileage: 90,000
20160108CrashSEAT BELTS
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 BACK INJURIES WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 03/15/16*LJ *TR
Mileage: 90,000
20080729STRUCTURE:BODY
REAR STRUT TOWERS RUST RIGHT THROUGH. *TR
20050420SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
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.
Mileage: 194,350
20040416SEAT BELTS:FRONT
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
Mileage: 153,256
20040105STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE'S HOOD DETACHED RESULTING IN THE HOOD HITTING THE WINDSHIELD.*MR *CB *JB
20020813SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETURN TO THE RETACTOR, LEAVING THE OCCUPANT UNRESTRAINED. DEALER NOTIFED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
20020812POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMITION LOCKED UP GOING 65 MPH. *AK
20020807STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
TRUNK LID WAS IN THE UP POSITION AND TRUNK CAME DOWN AND HIT CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER ON HEAD. *AK CONSUMER STATES NOTHING TO KEEP THE TRUNK LID IN UPRIGHT POSITION. A SLIGHT WIND OR ELEVATION COULD BLOW THE OPEN LID DOWN AND MAY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. *YH
20020130SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT AND BEEP GO ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WEARING THROUGH IN THE DRIVERS SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR LOCATED IN THE CENTER CONSOLE. REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES UNDER WARRANTY. PART IS NEARLY $300. SEVERAL PEOPLE I KNOW WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK
20001218SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT AND BEEP GO ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WEARING THROUGH IN THE DRIVERS SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR LOCATED IN THE CENTER CONSOLE. REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES UNDER WARRANTY. PART IS NEARLY $300. SEVERAL PEOPLE I KNOW WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
20001218SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT AND BEEP GO ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WEARING THROUGH IN THE DRIVERS SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR LOCATED IN THE CENTER CONSOLE. REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES UNDER WARRANTY. PART IS NEARLY $300. SEVERAL PEOPLE I KNOW WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
20001025SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE BRAKE PEDAL STINKS, DEALER HAS BLED THEM AND REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. NLM
20001024SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE BRAKE PEDAL STINKS, DEALER HAS BLED THEM AND REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. NLM
20001024STRUCTURE
WITH VEHICLE IN DRIVE & AT A STANDSTILL, CAR VIBRATES HEAVILY, REPLACE MOTOR MOUNTS AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS BUT PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS.* ET
20001017CrashTIRES
THIRD TIRE OF SET OF 4 THAT TREAD HAD SEPARATED - THIS ONE TOTALED THE CAR AND INJURED ONE PERSON. TIRE HAD 18,000 MILES WEAR. *AK (TIRESIZE: P185/60R14)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P185/60R14 )
20000828SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
CURRENT RECALL ON MAZDA 323 MOTORIZED SAFETY BELT DOES NOT COVER THE MAZDA PROTEGE WHICH HAS THE IDENTICAL PART NUMBER. MY CAR'S BELT HAS FAILED DUE TO THIS DEFECT AND MAZDA REFUSES TOCOVER IT.*AK
19991120EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DATES ARE APPROXIMATE. HEADLIGHTS: BOTH LENS'S WERE FOGGED/YELLOWING LATER WHEN I WENT TO DEALER IN LEESBURG, VA (PATEROS); SERVICE MANAGE TRIED TO CLEAN.. MADE WORSE. THEN I REALIZED THAT LENS'S WERE PLASTIC! -- HIS CLEANING SOLUTION MELTED THAT PART OF THE LENS. I BELIEVE THAT THE HEADLIGHTS SHOULD LAST THE DURATION OF THE CAR'S LIFE. --THAT I SHOULD GET REPLACEMENTS AS THEY ARE A SAFETY FEATURE. ENGINE: A YEAR AND A HALF AGO ENGINE WILL EMIT BLACK SMOKE WHEN ON TREADMILL FOR EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND SMOKES WHITE WHEN I SIT FOR LENGTH OF TIME IDLING. THREE VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY YEARS AGO -- I THINK THE ENGINE SHOULD NOT BE DOING THIS AT THIS POINT AND EITHER THE NOW DEFUNCT SERVICE DEPT DID IMPROPER JOB OR HAVE A DEFECTIVE ENGINE. I HAVE FOLLOWED REGULAR SCHEDULE FOR OIL CHANGES. PASSENGER SEAT: THE SPRINGS HAVE FALLEN APART COMPLETELY, I THOUGHT PERHAPS ONE OF MY KIDS DID IT YEARS AGO BUT WENT TO SEE ABOUT REPAIR AND WAS POINTED
19991102SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
ON THREE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING THE REAR SEAT BELT FELL APART WHILE MAKING A TURN. REPLACMENT COULD NOT BE DONE DUE TO NO WARRANTY. *YC
Compare 1991MAZDAPROTEGE to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1991 MAZDA PROTEGE have?▼
The 1991 MAZDA PROTEGE has 60 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 2 fires, 9 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1991 MAZDA PROTEGE?▼
The most-complained component for the 1991 MAZDA PROTEGE is SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR with 10 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEAT BELTS and SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE.
Is the 1991 MAZDA PROTEGE safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.