1997 Mazda Protege LX from North America - Comments

Absolutely nothing. I have owned a Mazda since 1977 and not a single one of them has ever had anything go wrong with any of them.

This car is by far the best in the small car catagory. A friend of mine drives a BMW 325 and he thinks my Mazda is a better driving and a more comfortable car.

Has the check engine light ever come on?

I am wondering if other '97 owners have had problems with the plastic covers on the door locks. Both of mine are broken (and the locks don't work), and I'd like Mazda to replace them even though my car is out of warranty. I've noticed that the newer models have metal covers... someone obviously realized that plastic covers are a bad idea.

I love my car... except for the door locks... and would probably buy another Protege. A great value for the price!

My 98 has had both front door locks replaced and the passenger side broke again, also at 1,075 my check engine light came on <1,075 AFTER the warranty!>.

We took it to the dealer who had it scoped <70 bucks> and said it was a misfire in cylinder #2 due to ignition problems. They suggested replacing the plugs, wires, cap, and rotor, and a timing belt <so I did>, over $400 later the light was still on and the car was running very poor. So back to the dealer to scope it <another $70> for them to say it's a problem with the valves.

Almost $1000 later, the light is finally off and back to normal <Real Slow>.

Will the engine seize if the timing belt breaks? When would you change it?

Generally speaking, if you're travelling over ~100 km/hr when the belt breaks, there could be significant cylinder damage (had an Acura Legend whose belt went while travelling on the highway, about 120 km/hr, and the engine just seized). They have to be replaced before they break to avoid this risk... depending on the car, most are replaced around 100,000 kms.

Actually... the Mazda engines were designed with that in mind. they are "non-interference engines" which means that snapping a t9iming belt should not damage the valves. simply put... but while you change it keep in mind to also change the water pump. this way you don't need to stick your hands back into the same place to replace something else. you should change it every 60k to 80k (miles)

Check engine light! The service rep. at the Mazda dealer tightened the gas cap a couple of clicks and the light went off 3 days later and has never been a problem again 3 months later. The Blower motor fan speed switch (mechanical) doesn't work. It's been about 6-8 weeks in the making. First the #4 (high) setting would work intermittently. Now the switch does not activate the blower motor. The simple solution would be to replace the switch, The switch was not in stock at the dealer and to order the switch I have to wait 7 - 10 days and pay shipping if I want to get the part sooner. The switch is $55.00 plus labor which is $65.00 to $80.00. Looks like this is a do it myself repair.