1999 Mazda Protege DX from North America - Comments

I own a 99 Mazda Protege LX, great car, and really good on gas! I bought this car about 6 months ago with only 97 000km! I'm Canadian, so I don't know what that is in miles. But I do know its been pretty reliable so far, no major repairs (just small things), aside from the rear shocks having to be changed. Anyway, just a question for some of you, how is it that I have the LX model which is supposed to have a 1.6 liter engine and mine has a 1.8. No biggy, not complaining, just wondering how come? Since I've read the 1.8 liter engine went into the ES model only... Does this mean the engine specs are basically what is in the ES model? (more horsepower, torque etc)..

Quick response to the above - some of the LX's in Canada (Roadmaster Edition) had 1.8l engines, and the larger (10.?" brakes), but the basic 14"rims. LX's in the US had the 1.6. So if you look at US parts websites, and even some Cdn parts retailers, you may want to make sure they know you have a 1.8L.

The 1.8L is a reliable Mazda "FP" engine, that is holding up well for me at least - 220 000 km's so far (only current issue is valve lash - make sure you get this checked when you should in the recommended maintenance schedule). It is not a maintenance free car, but reliable, and handles really well.

I purchased a '98 Protege LX with the 1.8l dual-cam Miata engine (Canadian) in 2001 and for the most part, the car has been very reliable. It currently has 220,000kms and there have been no engine or transmission problems to date.

I have experienced trouble with the four wheel disc brake calipers and the thin, short rods that connect to the rear suspension system.

I have also replaced four windshield washer motors (two OM & two aftermarket cheapies which seem to last longer than the OM equipment. The very exposed location on the bottom of the the fluid tank under the passenger side wheel-well would suggest the reason for the early demise of these units.

I had a front exhaust flange rust out yesterday and had it repaired at an exhaust shop today for $50.00 and the car is as quiet as it has ever been. While driving it to the garage this morning, the CEL came on (obviously due to the break in the exhaust system and I was looking for a means of getting rid of the light when I came across this site.

Just thought I'd pass along my experience with the car. In summary, a very reliable, economical, well-handling vehicle.

I have my 98 manual Protege ES sinse new. It has been fine.

Few previous problems (after 100K miles) A/C clutch and couple metal pieces of exhaust burned out - nothing serious.

Also, the car started to go low on idle RPMs. Found a hole in air intake tube and fixed it with filler and duct tape - problem solved. At same time (and this is about 135K miles) noticed drop in fuel efficiency. Replaced front O2 sensor (lucky to find one OEM DENSO on eBay for $35!!!) Fuel efficiency was corrected.

NOW. The check engine came on at about 147K. The code is P0420 and it points to 3 different things. The car runs great. The check engine then went off and on 3-4 times. When the light is ON the fuel efficiency drops. The drop is about 2mpg.

Not sure what to do. Will try to put my old O2 sensor back in and see. I really want this car to go for one more year, then it can die. As I said, it runs great.

May be the best solution is to go to corrupt mechanic, pay $100 to pass the inspection and the end of story.

I have a 99 protege SE (bought in Canada) with a 1.6L engine, 233000km and it has been wonderful up until lately.

In the past year I've had to replace 2 alternator belts, the second time they found that it was the alternator it's self that was faulty. It was actually melting the belt. I've also have to replace the fan belt, but this is minor. The 02 sensor went bad a couple months ago and I had that fixed. 10 months ago I had the timing belt changed. The oil gasket had a leak in it for a while then that was fixed. And the check engine light is always on. Every time I bring the car in they find nothing that turns the engine light off.

Since I drive the car through Canadian winters, the outside has began to rust, but not just around the wheels and such, but also on the hood of the car and on the trunk.

A few years ago, the radio/CD player died and we had that replaced and now the speakers go in and out.

She's a great car but she's becoming a lot of work, and all at once!

I have a 1999 Protege 1.6L, and have had the engine check light on for a few years while living in Virginia. Now I've moved to New Jersey where we have emission laws, and I cannot get the light to go off for more than 1 day. I got p0171 and so I replaced both O2 sensors only to get a low voltage CEL. I cleaned the MAF and then installed some high quality O2 sensors. The light came on within a 30 miles and 2 days of the replacement. I am going to get the code checked tomorrow, but I don't know what to do. I need this inspection to happen soon. Any tips?

I have similar problems, most of the time I get P0172, but rarely - P0171 too. Cleaning helps for some time. I got unlucky as I noticed it one month after recall and they refused to apply it. Earlier in NY they did not have emission tests, but then I moved to Ontario and I was passing them OK. I guess, they measure real emissions here instead of just looking in those stupid codes that can mean anything, and it emits much less limits. After all, what is their business to those codes if a test is called an emissions test, not a computer test?

And if it drives OK as well - why bother?

I bought a Protege LX 1999 brand new in November 1998, I now have 90,000 miles on it, I love this car and I intend to keep it a few more years.

I simply want to advise everybody that my engine light came on 2 years ago. Did I try to fix it? No way. It's still on, the car has absolutely no problem, it runs like new.

My next move on this engine light issue is to wait till the bulb burns. Than the problem will be solved at no cost... but I tell you, these bulbs are though... like the car.

G.H. Montréal, Canada.

I bought my '99 Protege LX new in January 1999. The first time I encountered the check engine light (CEL) problem was in March 2006. After going back and forth to Mazda dealer, I had to replace Pressure valve, O2 sensor and Mass Airflow (MAF) sensor. I had to pay for the new MAF since the extended warranty from Mazda expired on the 7th year, which is just a couple of months before the CEL problem appeared. I'm quite disappointed with the way Mazda handle this issue, and I'll make sure that my next car won't be a Mazda. I also bought a new Mazda 626 in 1986 and I never encountered any problem until it's just too old to drive in the early 2000.

After spending around $700 to perform the replacements mentioned above, the CEL disappeared for about 6 months. Then it's start to be on and off under certain conditions, and I stopped to bother to fix this problem.

Then in April 2009, the CEL is on and off again, but then in May 2009 it always on, and I start to notice some effect it had on the engine, especially if the engine is cold.

I brought the Mazda to a local mechanic shop that mentioned that they are an expert on fixing CEL problem. They said that the problem was a crack in air intake hose. It looks like a good explanation to me, so I had it replaced in the beginning of July 2009. And since then the CEL stays off, hopefully it stays off until the next state inspection in March 2010.

Guys, just give up on Mazda! Too many better cars to choose from and customer service.

"Too many better cars to choose from and customer service."

Come on! You could say that about just any modern car.

It took the commenter a while to figure out the problem (intake hose) but then it was fixed. If you find a good and honest mechanic you can take any cor to him or her and have good experience. It's not at all depending on the make.