1999 Mazda Protege DX from North America - Comments

Within 2 weeks the steering wheel grip cover came loose. The wheel was replaced under warranty.

The rear door seals came away from the door causing leaking and noise.

Driver side door panel rattled constantly while driving.

Foam in the driver seat-back collapsed and the frame could painfully be felt.

Driver side lock key-flaps wore though, making the lock inoperable.

Passenger side door squeaked while driving.

Both sun-visors broke.

Air conditioning ceased operating.

A large gap developed between the rear seat-cushion and seat-back.

The engine light came on for no reason and was 'fixed' more than 8 times, before the problem was located. (At least they told me it was located).

A strong, cold draft is felt on the passenger's feet when driving during the winter.

All of the problems listed above, were fixed under warranty, with the exception of the cold draft, which is 'normal', I am told.

Since my warranty has expired, however, the problems with the car have not.

A metallic rattling sound can be heard from the front end when the car is in neutral or while shifting.

The passenger side lock is now inoperable.

The air conditioning has again, within less than 12 months, ceased operating.

The fresh-air / recirculate switch always moves to the middle of its range.

The service department at Prima Mazda has been cooperative, courteous and apologetic. They will not repair any of the post-warranty failures free of charge.

I have just written to Mazda Canada to complain.

I would like to hear your comments if you have experienced similar misery.

Is this car what is considered a 'lemon'?

I had no problems with my mazda.

I have a 99 LX and my engine light came on quite frequently as well. I took it to the dealership numerous times and then they finally found the problem. They were also very friendly and apologetic. They got to know me by name and even gave me a discount on a routine brake pad replacement. But within the last month or so Mazda sent out a recall letter on the problem so they will fix that for free now if warranties are expired. I also have the problems with the seals on the back doors. Also on the rear doors the side panel on them looks like it is trying to come off. No one is ever in the back so I guess that is just poor material and manufacturing. These to me are minor problems and overall my car (now with 65,000 mile) has been very reliable and really fun to drive and own. This is my second protege and I plan on trading this one in on a 2002 ES. zoom zoom.

I have a 1997 Protege which now has 160,000km. Only the "engine light" problem has been seen. Mazda promptly replaced the computer which was under warranty at the time (about two years ago). No problems with anything since, and I drive it hard.

I have experienced the engine light issue in the past, but only once.

I am also currently hearing A metallic rattling sound from the front end when the car is in neutral or while shifting and it has gotten rapidly worse over the past couple of weeks. It sounds as though the gears are grinding and being stripped away.

I have had my 99 LX for 1 year. Check engine light came on also and had that repaired. Now, I have a problem with the engine stuttering... coming out of a stop sign and the car gasping and jumping trying to go. Someone told me this was a recall problem. Anyone?

Those door seal problems are very minor, I had that when I bought mine and fixed it myself, but you have to be careful when reinserting the door seals.

You need to line up the bottom lip to the groove in the metal, then simply place pressure on the seal so that the seal sits down square in the frame.

Very easy to do, and you will see what I mean if you look at it.

That engine light was a North America only recall, after spending 15 minutes on the phone with Mazda Australia they were able to inform me that the ignition coils are different upon regions, IE the ignition coils in North America need to be stronger to withstand colder climates.

Was your car the first in the series? the problems your having sound like things that happen in the first batch of cars from a production line - while the workers figure out how to do things etc.

I purchased a 1999 Protege from Car Max on the 2nd of this month. The next day the check engine light came on. After they had it for 3 days they determined the O2 sensor was bad and replaced it under warranty. I got my vehicle back and again the next day the light came on. This time it was the converter. Then, a week later the actuator in my drivers door went out and the brakes needed to be replaced. It is now 2 weeks later and I'm having transmission problems. I've heard Mazda's were great cars, but mine has prooven just the opposite. Car max's service team is wonderful, but at the same time, enough is enough.

I have owned a '96 Protege for two years now and only needed to replace the battery (at 84,000 miles). The locking mechanism that controls all locks in the vehicle pulled away from the panel on the door, but I can live with that. Now, at 86,000 miles I am in the process of replacing the timing belt and water pump (they are not bad, it is simply time to do so as a maintenance and precautionary measure). I can detect a slight grinding sound coming from the back when the brakes are applied which indicates to me that the brakes will need some work. I do not drive the car hard, nor overuse the brakes, so this must either be from a previous owner's rough handling of the vehicle or simply an age problem. The gas pedal sticks if the car is driven cold, therefore, I always let it idle for a good five to ten minutes before I drive it, which should be done with any vehicle. All in all, I have been very lucky with this automobile. Once I retire it, I will most definitely purchase another Mazda!

You are all a bunch of nut bars. Mazda Protege is one of the most reliable cars in Canada, and has won numerous awards to prove it. I own a 1999 Protege SE and the only problem I have had is that the car is too hot in the summer - I opted not to get air. Runs great, unreal with gas, looks fantastic (when I decide to clean it), and has required the least amount of attention of any car I have ever owned. By the way, my Protege is now at 170,000 km - you work that out in miles!

P.S. I have switched dealerships simply because I moved from Victoria, British Columbia to Toronto, Ontario and both dealerships (Pacific Mazda and Dave Wood Mazda) have provided me with unmatchable customer service - that is to say they have both been amazing.

Mazda keeps this combo going - great product and service - I will be making my way into a showroom soon to purchase a Miata. Way to go Mazda.

Our 99 Protege with 87000km has all of a sudden become a problem. It is driven daily and one morning recently it simply would not start. It was towed to a service centre where it was determined that the retention spring on the timing belt had broke and the timing belt and spring required replacement. Mazda covered the parts, but I did have to pay for the labour and towing.

Well, the engine light came on when I started the car and the mechanic suggested driving it for a while to see if it would simply rectify itself. Trouble with start up and stalling when cold were the norm for a couple of days and I returned to the service centre. The car was hooked up to the computer and it was determined that some kind of air flow unit required replacement. Now this thing is about the size of a can of soup and is located on the air intake duct. Mazda tells me that the part will cost me $1100.00 and NO it will not be covered by warranty. They tell me that these things can be ruined if the engine backfires during cranking. Duh! Apparently it was my fault that the spring broke and the car wouldn't start and it may have backfired while I was trying to start it.

Well I got a used unit for $100 and and we will continue to drive this vehicle 'til it dies however this experience with our 4th Mazda has left a bitter taste in our mouths and Mazda has just lost a good customer and many potential customers who will be very interested in what I have to say about my experiences.

I have a 99 Protege, and it has almost 96000 km. A week ago my check engine light came on. The computer showed two problems: "Manifold Absolute Pressure Performance Problem" and "System Too Lean". The mechanic couldn't find anything wrong with the car, so he reset the computer. The next day, the engine light came on again. Reading some of the comments here, I'll have to take it to the dealership next, although I don't like the service and my warranty probably ran out.

When I first bought the car, I had a Windshield seal problem, which gave wind noises all the time, and it took the dealership 4 times to fix the problem. The rear door seal is coming off now, even though the door is not used often.

I don't think I'll buy another Mazda again, mostly due to the poor service that I received in the past 4 years, and this engine light problem now didn't help.

We loved our '97 Protege so much that 2 years later we bought a '99. However, at about 85,000 the '97 needed a valve job ($2000+), then the AC compressor went out, then the front shocks went... that was when we traded it in for a Toyota Tacoma! Now our '99 Protege, at about 90,000, is beginning to act how the other did just before the valve job. Is it the valves? The automatic transmission? I don't know, but I do know that when I buy a vehicle, I expect it to last a LONG time... and I won't be buying another Mazda.

Do keep in mind that not all cars after assembly (no matter what make or model) are going to be perfect.

I have a 2000 M/T DX Protege. I love my car. I have never had any problems with the vehicle, but I also pay close attention to my maintenance schedule. I have put almost 53,000 miles on my car and I will admit that there is a minimal squeaking noise that has started in the passenger compartment.

I also work for Nissan and I have seen many people leave with their 2003 vehicles and not have any complaint about them and I have seem people come in complaining about their car the day after they buy it. (Sentras seem to be the worst) That is what I am talking about when I say that not every car is perfect out of the factory.

Give Mazda the benefit of the doubt... just because there was a few bad experiences doesn't mean that it is Mazda itself. It happens to the best of them (yes even American made!)

Oh and there was a mass air flow sensor recalled on some of the 2000 1.6L engines it is covered for an extended 7 years or 70,000 miles whichever comes first. Call your local Mazda dealer for details.

I had no problems with that vehicle until this morning when the engine light went on and the throttle kept changing on me on the highway. I took it to Mazda 220 on sources and they were not helpful at ll. well this is not the first time that they were not helpful. they told me to drive it at my own risk till Monday and today is Thursday... any commments.

Hi.

My 99 protege has been a great car for me.

Never had a problem besides normal repairs like replacement of tires, battery and breaks. I drive in hot-humid and sometimes freezing cold weather of Houston, TX and have had no trouble whatsoever with my protege. Rather I would say it gives me unreal mileage. I get close to 30 MPG in Houston traffic.

What is this engine light issue. I have never had that happen to me. I did though notice couple of times in the middle of driving the car at 70mpg it suddenly jerks like it just went dead and got restarted as it was still in gear and was running at a good speed. Though, this has happened only twice with my car.

In my experience this is a great car with good mileage, reliable service from dealers, low maintenance cost.