Complaints
102
Crashes
26
Fires
1
Injuries
20
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1999 Mazda Protege Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#116 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:44,926 mi
#214 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Avg mileage:81,642 mi
Crash-related:14
#37 complaints
Airbags
Avg mileage:62,828 mi
Crash-related:7
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1999 Mazda Protege.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission | 16 | — | — | 44,926 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 14 | 14 | — | 81,642 mi | |
| Airbags | 7 | 7 | — | 62,828 mi | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 6 | — | — | 66,500 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 1 | — | — | — |
Automatic Transmission
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
44,926
Air Bags:Frontal
14
complaints
Crashes
14
Fires
—
Avg Miles
81,642
Airbags
7
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
—
Avg Miles
62,828
Tires:Tread/Belt
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
66,500
Tire Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1999 Mazda Protege. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Mazda Protege Years
1999 Mazda Protege — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1999 Mazda Protege reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1999 Mazda Protege has 102 NHTSA complaints, 26 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 16 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1999 Mazda Protege?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (16 complaints, avg 44,926 mi); Air Bags:Frontal (14 complaints, avg 81,642 mi); Airbags (7 complaints, avg 62,828 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1999 Mazda Protege?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 62,805 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1999 Mazda Protege?
NHTSA complaints for the 1999 Mazda Protege include 26 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 20 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1999 Mazda Protege have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1999 Mazda Protege as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1999 Mazda Protege?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Mazda Protege reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1999 Mazda Protege
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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