1999 Mazda Protege: common problems and reliability
91 owner complaints on record.
Most complaints are about power train. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 1999 Protege?The 1999 Mazda Protege has 91 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and air bags.
Safety record for the 1999 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1999 Mazda Protege vehicles (US, public record).
Is 1999 a good year for the Protege?
Across the 8 Protege model years we track, complaint volume runs from 47 (1998) to 121 (2003). With 91 complaints, the 1999 Protege sits about the same as the model's median of 91.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 1999 Protege
exterior lighting
Campaign 09E012000SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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.
exterior lighting
Campaign 06E026000CERTAIN 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.
equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/cd etc.
Campaign 00V301000VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A PARTICULAR FACTORY INSTALLED AUDIO UNIT. 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.
What owners say across generations
Overwhelmingly positive sentiment regarding long-term reliability, durability, and driving enjoyment.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Protege. See the full Protege owner picture and every model year.
Other Protege model years
Compare every Protege year side by side to see how 1999 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Protege against its rivals
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