Total Complaints
103 filings
MAZDA PROTEGE · model year
1997 MAZDA PROTEGE
103 NHTSA complaints, 20 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997MAZDAPROTEGE carries 103 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 20 crashes, 2 fires, 16 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 1997 PROTEGE is air bags:frontal with 11 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (5) and engine and engine cooling:engine (5). 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 1997 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.
103
Complaints
20
Crashes
2
Fires
16
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
20 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 |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 11 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 5 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 4 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 4 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 4 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 4 |
| TIRES | 3 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 3 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 3 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 2 |
Recent Complaints
20101122SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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
Mileage: 99,000
20040721ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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
20040422FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
AFTER FIXING THE CATALYST CONVERTER, IT THEN GOES OUT AGAIN REQUIRING ME TO HAVE IT FIXED AGAIN
Mileage: 108,000
20040422ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
AFTER FIXING THE CATALYST CONVERTER, IT THEN GOES OUT AGAIN REQUIRING ME TO HAVE IT FIXED AGAIN
Mileage: 108,000
20040422UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AFTER FIXING THE CATALYST CONVERTER, IT THEN GOES OUT AGAIN REQUIRING ME TO HAVE IT FIXED AGAIN
Mileage: 108,000
20030914ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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
Mileage: 83,068
20030604CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *MR *PH
20020812CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY ON BOTH SIDES AT 35MPH WHILE REAR ENDING A VAN. TORE OFF BUMPER WITH AIRBAG SENSORS CLEARLY IN VIEW AIRBAG LIGHT INSIDE OF VEHICLE WAS NOT ON EITHER. *AK
20020719SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
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
20020719SUSPENSION:REAR
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
20020717CrashSEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
FAILURE OF THE LATCHES ON BOTH FRONT SEAT ALLOWING THE SEAT TO RECLINE. DURING AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK IN REAR CAUSING THE SEAT BACK TO RECLINE. THE ACTION TRAPPED MY WIFE'S LEFT FOOT UNDER THE SEAT. THIS CAUSED SEVERE CONTUSION AND ABRASIONS.*AK
20020628CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THERE WAS A DIRECT FRONTAL COLLISION, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURY TO DRIVER. *AK THE SEAT BELT FAILED DURING THE ACCIDENT. *YH
20020628CrashSEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THERE WAS A DIRECT FRONTAL COLLISION, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURY TO DRIVER. *AK THE SEAT BELT FAILED DURING THE ACCIDENT. *YH
20020422POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
OVERDRIVE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, WHEN SHIFTING VEHICLE WILL KICK. *AK
20020415POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
LIGHTS KEPT COMING ON, OVERDRIVE SENSOR. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT IT FUSE WAS BLOWN, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. *AK
20011227STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
POWER LOCKS WERE REPLACED TWICE BY COVINGTON PIKE MAZDA (TN) AND ONCE BY CASCADE MAZDA DEALER(OH, 44221). THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME, MY LOCKS HAVE DETERIORATED.
20011218SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
BRAKE CALIPER PINS RUSTED OUT DUE TO MOISTURE COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE PINS, AND CAUSING THE CALIPERS TO WORK ERRATICALLY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. CONSUMER ADDED THAT CALIPERS WERE EXHIBITING A CLICK AND POPPING NOISE, DEALER REPLACED CALIPERS. CUSTOMER STATES DOME LIGHT FAILED. *TT
20011218INTERIOR LIGHTING
BRAKE CALIPER PINS RUSTED OUT DUE TO MOISTURE COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE PINS, AND CAUSING THE CALIPERS TO WORK ERRATICALLY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. CONSUMER ADDED THAT CALIPERS WERE EXHIBITING A CLICK AND POPPING NOISE, DEALER REPLACED CALIPERS. CUSTOMER STATES DOME LIGHT FAILED. *TT
20011130SUSPENSION:REAR
RIGHT SIDE AXLE SHAFT/FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS TOTALLING $576.44 IN REPAIRS.*AK
20011130POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:BANJO HOUSING
RIGHT SIDE AXLE SHAFT/FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS TOTALLING $576.44 IN REPAIRS.*AK
Compare 1997MAZDAPROTEGE to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1997 MAZDA PROTEGE have?▼
The 1997 MAZDA PROTEGE has 103 NHTSA complaints, 20 crashes, 2 fires, 16 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 MAZDA PROTEGE?▼
The most-complained component for the 1997 MAZDA PROTEGE is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL with 11 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE.
Is the 1997 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.