1999 Mazda Protege: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1999 Mazda Protege: 1 recall, 88 owner complaints and up to 27 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Equipment Vehicle recall #00V301000 · 2000 · 23,000 vehicles
What's wrong: If the vehicle is operated at low speed in a hot and humid environment with the window open, air conditioner running, and audio on, condensed water on the a/c duct surface could drop and enter into the audio unit, causing a short circuit.
Why it matters: If the short circuit occurs at one specific set of terminals, the rear right loudspeaker can overheat and, in some cases, catch fire.
The fix: Dealers will affix aluminum tape over the audio unit to prevent water from entering.
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E026000 · 2006 · 61,944 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 16 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (22): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (11), stalls / loses power (2), leaks (2).
- Airbags (21): the most common themes are fails to deploy (14).
- Tires (12): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (12).
- Engine & cooling (8): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1999 Mazda Protege has 88 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 14 Protege model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 77). Complaints peaked in 2000 (19 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 64,065 miles. Neighboring years: 1998 (46 complaints, 1 recalls), 2000 (102 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 31 | 27 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 26 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 25 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 23 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1999 Mazda Protege.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 1999 Mazda Protege have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1999 Mazda Protege, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1999 Mazda Protege problems?
Owners have filed 88 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (22), airbags (21), tires (12).
What gas mileage does the 1999 Mazda Protege get?
EPA ratings run up to 27 mpg combined (1.6 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1999 Mazda Protege repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.