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Vehicle safety record

1990 Mazda Protege Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 38 complaints about the 1990 Mazda Protege with NHTSA, most often about the seats & seat belts (21) and the engine & cooling (4). Those complaints describe 3 crashes and 4 injuries. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in October 2015 for the switch. For comparison, the 1989 has 2 and the 1991 has 51.

NHTSA data checked

BFewer problems than a typical Protege year, for its age

#51 most complained-about 1990 vehicle

Complaints
38
Recalls
1
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
4
Deaths
0

Most common 1990 Mazda Protege problems

Share of all 38 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

1990 Mazda Protege recalls 1

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Electrical system: switch

15V6740001,368,500 vehicles affected

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

What owners say

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38 complaints about the 1990 Mazda Protege

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.

Seats & seat belts

Seat belt track jammed, dealer will not cover, although there appears to be a recall for this issue already. *Tr

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 10456720
Seats & seat belts

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

Filed Seat beltsNHTSA 10074312
Acceleration & cruise controlCrash

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

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 8016819
Steering

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

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 762831
Visibility & wipers

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

Filed VisibilityNHTSA 899230
Visibility & wipers

While driving can smell anti-freeze, and windshield becomes absolutely foggy. Also, heater core has problems. Please provide any further information. *Ak

Filed VisibilityNHTSA 899061
Seats & 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

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 860235
Engine & coolingSeats & seat belts

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.

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Seat beltsNHTSA 717845
Suspension

The vehicle experiences excessive vibration from the steering wheel, car windows and back rear doors. Nlm

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 550332
Engine & cooling

Motor mounts failed causing excessive vibration. Mjs

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 547279
Lights

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.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 700402
Seats & 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

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 829835
Seats & seat belts

SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED.

Filed Seat beltsNHTSA 539524
Electrical system

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

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 825967
Steering

Front inner tie rod separated at joint. Causing loss of steering.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 533468
Seats & seat beltsCrash1 injury

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

Filed Incident Seat belts · SeatsNHTSA 817831
Seats & seat belts

Motorbelts experience erratic operation intermittently. Mjs

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 604606
Seats & seat belts

Retractable seat belt latches on both sides are failing.

Filed Seat beltsNHTSA 522345
Other & unknown1 injury

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).

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 528067
Other & unknown1 injury

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).

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 527401
SteeringSeats & seat belts

The pasenger's seat belt retractor never worked, also cruise control malfunctioned, purchased used vehicle. *Ak

Filed Steering · Seat beltsNHTSA 805142
Seats & 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

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 805243
Transmission & drivetrain

OUTER CV BOOTS REPLACED.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 510562
Seats & seat belts

Automatic seat belt release button broke from minor physical force. *Sd

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 502849
Engine & cooling

Oxygen sensor replaced three times due to 'check engine' warning light coming on when vehicle is started. *Dsh

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 502407

Mazda Protege: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
19940100-A
199351122Seats & seat beltsC
199265151Seats & seat beltsC
199151152Seats & seat beltsC
199038130Seats & seat beltsB
19892001Electrical systemA
All Protege years

1990 Mazda Protege vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 1990 Mazda Protege

Does the 1990 Mazda Protege have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1990 Mazda Protege: switch (October 2015). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 1990 Mazda Protege?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the seats & seat belts (21), engine & cooling (4), steering (3).

How many complaints has the 1990 Mazda Protege had?

38 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on May 22, 1994 and the latest on April 27, 2012. Of these, 3 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 4 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 1990 Mazda Protege a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 63 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Mazda Protege year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Mazda Protege years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 1990 Mazda Protege has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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