1999 Mazda Protege Problems & Complaints

THE PLASTIC DIP STICK TO CHECK OIL SNAPPED OFF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MAZDA PROTEGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS STARTED TO FLICKER AND FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL WIRING FAILURE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON NO MATTER WHAT THE READING SAYS CHANGE ALL PARTS WILL GO OFF BUT BACK ON AND FAIL INSPECTION MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR HAS BEEN CHANGE THREE TIMES AND CAYLI. CONVERTER TWICE. *TR

THE HEADLIGHTS NO LONGER WORK ON LOW BEAM. THE HIGH BEAMS STILL WORK. UPON REMOVING THE STEERING COLUMN COVER AND UNPLUGGING THE WIRING HARNESS I FOUND THAT THE CONNECTOR IS LITERALLY BURNED AND MELTED AT THE POINT OF CONNECTION IN THE HARNESS. MAZDA NO LONGER MAKES THE PART AND I CANNOT HAVE IT FIXED BY A MECHANIC BECAUSE THE PART IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND IN A USED SALVAGED VEHICLE. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE REAR SEAT BELT AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR DOES NOT STAY LOCKED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAFELY INSTALL A CHILD SAFETY SEAT. THE SEAT BELT WAS RARELY IF EVER USED UNTIL THE CAR SEAT WAS INSTALLED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MAZDA PROTEGE. THE CONTACT STATED HE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 50 MPH. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. AS A CONSEQUENCE HE SUSTAINED MODERATE HEAD INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS IN THE PROCESS OF INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 217,000.

FAULTY TIRE VALVES (DILL ACP 123 TR 418) ON A 1999 MAZDA PROTEGE. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRE DEFLATED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A RECALL RELATING TO THE VALVE STEMS BY DILL-ACP MODEL TR-418. RECALL# 08T0228000. *JB SEE ALSO 10496085 *SY UPDATED 06/23/10.*JB THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS SINCE EXPERIENCED ANOTHER TIRE FAILURE, DUE TO A DEFECTIVE TIRE VALVE STEM. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VALVE STEM WAS CRACKED AND THE REAR TIRE WAS SPLIT. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE REASON FOR THE SPLIT WAS DUE TO HEAT BUILD-UP, BECAUSE HE CONTINUED TO DRIVE ON THE TIRE, BEFORE HE REALIZED THE TIRE HAD DEFLATED. UPDATED 10/24/12 UPDATED 02/07/13

PROBLEM MAZDA TRANSMISSION FAILURE .MAZDA PROTEGE 1999 THIS CAR HAD A MAJOR ENGINE OVERHAUL RECENT ABOUT A YEAR FROM NOW. ONE MONTH AFTER OVERHAUL TRANSMISSION FAILED. MAZDA REFUSED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS FAILURE. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT OWNER EXPENSE EXACTLY ONE YEAR AFTER THAT TRANSMISSION WAS FIXED FAILURE AGAIN . AGAIN TRANSMISSION NOT COVERED OUT OF WARRANTY. ESTIMATE AS TO HOW MUCH HAS BEEN SPENT SO FAR $3,500. AS OF NOW I CANT DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE THE CAR CANT BE MOVED DUE TO MALFUNCTION. AFTER RESEARCH ONLINE I HAVE FOUND THIS VIN NUMBER ON THIS MAZDA HAS HAD ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT OFF LAMP FLASHING NO SHIFT CONDITION 3RD GEAR SHIFT RATION SET ERRATIC SHIFTS ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION ISSUES ETC. I PERSONALLY FEEL THEY SHOULD COMPENSATE OR AT LEAST TRY AND HELP TO GET THIS RESOLVED AND THEY REFUSE TO ADMIT THEY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THIS CAR VIN VERY BAD PRACTICE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL OR AT LEAST TRY AND HELP PAY FOR ALL THESE DAMAGES I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO BUY A CAR TRANSMISSION EVERY YEAR BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO ADMIT OR TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY WITH THIS "KNOWN ISSUE" I CALLED MAZDA THEY SAID I HAVE TO PAY ALL DAMAGES ON TRANSMISSION I DON'T DRIVE ALOT CAR IS DRIVEN VERY MINIMAL WORK AND BACK. *TR

WE OWN A MAZDA PROTEGE 1999. BOTH THE HEADLIGHTS & BRIGHT LIGHTS FAILED. WE TRIED REPLACING BULBS & A RELAY, NEITHER OF WHICH WORKED. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT AN INDEPENDENT AUTOMOBILE ELECTRICAL SHOP. THE OWNER STATED THAT THE INTERNAL WIRING FOR THESE COMPONENTS BURNED OUT. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN INTERNAL FIRE BEHIND THE DASHBOARD. THE WIRES WERE NOT EXPOSED UNDER THE HOOD SO WE COULD NOT HAVE KNOWN THAT THEY WERE WEARING THIN. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH MAZDA USA AS THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MAZDA. I AM DISTRESSED THAT MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING A CAR KNOWN TO HAVE FAULTY WIRING THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ENGINE AND/OR INTERIOR FIRE. MAZDA USA ADVISED ME THAT THE CAR WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, AND I WAS FACING A $700 COST FOR REPAIRS. I WAS HOPING MAZDA WILL HELP WITH THIS, BUT AS YET THEY HAVE NOT, AND MY DAUGHTER WAS WITHOUT A CAR TO DRIVE AT NIGHT.*AK

1999 MAZDA PROTEGE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS AND THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY. *MR THE VEHICLE WAS TAKNE IN FOR THE TIMING, WATER PUMP, ETC. *SC *JB

1999 MAZDA PROTEGE DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. REPAIRS WERE MADE AND THE TOTAL CAME UP TO $804.64. *MR A NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. *SC *JB

I AM NOW HAVING TO PUT THE 3RD TRANSMISSION IN MY 99 MAZDA PROTEGE, THE FIRST TWO WERE AT MAZDA EXPENSE AND I FEEL THE 3RD SHOULD BE AS WELL SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THIS MODEL.*AK

MY SON PURCHASED A 1999 MAZDA PROTEGE LX LAST YEAR. HE HAS HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING HOT. HE WAS TOLD HE NEEDED A TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP. HE HAD THE CAR FIXED AT A COST OF $750.00. AGAIN THE SAME THING HAPPENED ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER. HE AGAIN IS BEING TOLD THAT HE NEEDS THE SAME WORK DONE. THIS TIME IT IS GOING TO COST HIM $900.00 AND THE ENGINE HAS TO BE TESTED TO SEE IF THERE IS NO DAMAGE. IF THERE IS DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE IT WILL BE MORE COSTLY. ALSO THE POWER LOCKS ARE DAMAGED AND THIS OCCURRED THE FIRST WEEK OF PURCHASE.*AK

I OWNED A 1999 MAZDA PROTEGE THAT HAD THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 49500 MILES. APPROXIMATELY 24 MONTHS LATER AT 85000 MILES, THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AS WELL. IN BOTH INSTANCES THE PROBLEMS WAS THE AXLE BREAKING THE RESTRAINING CLIP CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO MOVE OUT OF POSITION. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD THEN LEAK CAUSING SLIPPING AND LURCHING. THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION INSTALLED BY THE DEALER WAS A REBUILT TRANSMISSION THAT ONLY HAD A 12/12000 WARRANTY. *AK

CLUTCH FAILURE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME CLUTCH FAILED. FIRST TIME AT 57K, NOW AT 149K. FIRST TIME WAS FIXED AT MAZDA DEALERSHIP, BOTH REPLACED WITH MAZDA CLUTCH PARTS. HIGHWAY MILES USED MAJORITY OF TIME. *LA

THE ABOVE DESCRIPTION IS THE FIRST TIME THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPAIRED. NOW AT 47,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION IS OUT AGAIN. JOEY

I BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUGUST 1999,IT HAD 12 MILES ON IT I HAD JUST GOTTEN RID OF ANOTHER PROTEGE 1994 THE MOST LOUSY CAR I HAD EVER SEEN,I HAD SPENT OVER$ 8,000 ON REPAIRS. 2 TRANSMISSIONS IN 2 YEARS. 2 SETS OF CV BOOTS ETC. ANYWAY I THOUGHT IF I COULD GET A NEW ONE I WOULD NOT HAVE ANY TROUBLE FOR A LONG TIME, IF ANY AT ALL. WELL,I HAD IT PROBABLY HAD IT ABOUT 6 MONTHS OR SO,AND IT STARTED MAKING A METALLIC RATTLING IN THE FRONT IN THE ENGINE. IT SOUNDS LIKE BACK IN THE OLD DAYS WHEN A CAR NEEDED OIL IT WOULD RATTLE LIKE A PIECE OF JUNK. THEY CHECKED IT OUT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING,TOOK IT BACK SEVERAL TIMES, SO THE SERVICE MANAGER JOE BURK VERY NICE MAN VERY HELPFUL. THEY CHANGED A FEW PARTS, POWER TRAIN ETC, PLEASE CHECK MY RECORDS WITH THEM IF YOU CAN, OR I WILL HAVE TO DIG IN MY FILES TO FIND ALL OF THE RECEIPTS.SO HE SUGGESTED THAT I TRY DIFFERENT GAS. WELL,I DID I TRIED ALL OF THEM COST ME ALMOST $1,500. MOBIL,EXXON,CHEVRON,TEXACO,SHELL MID GRADE GAS. ABSOLUTLEY DID NOTHING,THIS WENT ON FOR A YEAR.THIS IS ABOUT 2001. WELL IT SEEMS IT DOES THIS VERY BADLY WHEN IT GETS HOT. HE SAID THAT THEY HAD HEARD ABOUT SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS IN HOUSTON WITH THEIR HEAT AND HUMIDITY. I ASK IF THIS DOES NOT WORK WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO? WELL MAZDA MENTIONED MAYBE GIVING ME ANOTHER CAR. THEY DECIDED TO PUT A BRAND NEW ENGINE IN IT,(A BRAND NEW CAR)BY THAT TIME IT HAD A LITTLE 20,000 MILES ON IT. I PAY $412.64 A MONTH ON A CAR THAT RATTLES LIKE A PIECE OF CRAP. THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. AS OF THE WEEK OF AUGUST 4-8 TOOK IT BACK STILL DOING IT, THEY REPLACED THE POWER TRAIN ON IT AND IT STILL DOES IT. THEY LOOKED AT IT AGAIN. NOTHING CAN BE DONE,AS LONG AS I AM IN WARRANTY I AM ALRIGHT, BUT WHEN THAT RUNS OUT I AM SCREWED.

MY CAR STARTED WITH UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION LAST FEB. 2003. THEN IT STARTED TO FELL LIKE THE GEARS WERE SLIPPING. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM. NOW, IT IS OCT. 2003 AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. LAST NIGHT THE CAR GOT STUCK IN LOW GEAR AND WILL NOT REVERSE. THE RPM GO UP WHEN YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE, BUT THE CAR WILL NOT GO PAST 10 MILES AN HOUR. RIGHT NOW THE CAR IS AT THE DEALER'S SHOP AND I AM MAD!!! I AM A SINGLE MOM WHO BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. I'VE HAD ALL MAINTENANCE, AND I WANTED A CAR THAT WOULD LAST FOR 10 YEARS. NOW I FEEL CHEATED BY MAZDA!!

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER MOTORIST. NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER STERNUM FROM IMPACTING THE STEERING WHEEL. *NM

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.

TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE AND DAMAGED THE FENDER WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED. FIRESTONE, SIZE P185/65R14, DOT# H406JDNO79. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE AND STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING. THE CONSUMER TURNED OFF THE A/C, RADIO AND REDUCED SPEED TO LISTEN AND DETERMINE THE CAUSE. ONLY TWO EXITS AWAY FROM THEIR EXIT, THE CONSUMER HEARD A THUD. HE PULLED OVER AND SAW THE RIGHT REAR FENDER HANGING OFF TO THE CURB AND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS BALD. ALL THE TREAD ON THE SURFACE WAS GONE. HE CHANGED THE TIRE, SECURED THE FENDER WITH DUCT TAPE AND WENT TO SEARS TO PURCHASE A NEW TIRE. CONSUMER SENT THE TIRE TO FIRESTONE/BRIDGESTONE FOR INSPECTION AND COMPENSATION. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THERE INSPECTION SHOWED THAT THE TIRE WAS OPERATED FOR AN UNKNOWN PERIOD OF TIME WITH INSUFFICIENT AIR PRESSURE TO CARRY THE LOAD. THE INSUFFICIENT AIR PRESSURE WAS EVIDENT BY THE DEFORMATION THROUGHOUT THE TIRE BEAD AREA. THEY CONCLUDED THAT THE TIRE FAILURE WASN'T THE RESULT OF DEFECTIVE MATERIALS OR WORKMANSHIP. THE TIRE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER UPON HIS REQUEST. THE INSURANCE COMPANY ESTIMATED DAMAGES AT $902.54. *PH *NLM

1999 MAZDA PROTEGE WITH 40K MILES AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. CAR PURCHASED NEW AND CARED FOR, AT RECENT SERVICE VEHICLE WAS TESTED AND FOUND TO HAVE SLIPPAGE IN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR AND TRANS WILL NOT "LOCK UP". REBUILD STARTS AT $1700 AND GOES UP. MAZDA SEEMS TO HAVE PROBLEMS RELATING TO TRANSMISSIONS AND NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS. TRANSMISSION SHOP INDICATES MAZDA'S TRANSMISSIONS ARE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR (AS MUCH AS LEXUS). *JB

THE CAR HESITATES BEFORE TAKING OFF AFTER STOPPING. WHEN IT DOES SWITCH INTO THE RIGHT GEAR AND MOVE FORWARD, IT IS AS IF YOU HAVE BEEN HIT IN THE REAR BECAUSE IT JERKS FORWARD HARD. THE CAR THEN DOES NOT ACCELERATE VERY WELL.*AK

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE TRANSMISSION.*MR THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED A 32600 MILES. THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. *NM

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL JERK FORWARD THAN STALL OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP HAS SERVICED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES,PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK

YOUR RECENTLY ANNOUNCED INVESTIGATION INTO SLOW TIRE LEAKS DUE TO BAD STEEL WHEELS ON GM PRODUCTS PROMPTED ME TO WRITE ABOUT THE SAME EXPERIENCE WITH MY 99 MAZDA PROTEGE ALLOY WHEEL THAT I JUST REPLACED AT FULL COST. MAZDA TOLD ME THEY HAVE HAD NO COMPLAINTS ON THE TYPE OF DEFECT THAT I HAD--A PINHOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WHEEL. OF ALL THE YEARS OF OWNING AN AUTOMOBILE, I WAS NEVER CONFRONTED WITH THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. ANY CORRELATION? ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THESE WHEELS? THANKS. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH, SUDDENLY INTERMITTENTLY THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS ON, ENGINE SLOWED DOWN TO 40MPH. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE THREE TIMES AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE STRUTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. *NLM

DUE TO COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE HIT A STEEL POLE AND DAMAGED THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MR SCC *JB

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM

1999 MAZDA PROTEGE RECEIVED O/D OFF LIGHT, SPEEDOMETER DROPPED OUT AND SLIPPAGE IN GEARS, (O/D), BROUGHT TO SCHWARTZ MAZDA, SHREWSBURY, NJ, THEY SOLD ME A NEW TRANSMISSION, (76000 MILES ON ODOMETER), CAR STILL HAD SAME TROUBLE. ADVISED MAZDA THAT I FELT THIS IS A MISDIAGNOSIS, PER NHTSB TECH SERVICE BULLETIN OF SPEED SENSOR ON TRANSMISSION WHICH PRESENTS SAME SYMPTOMS, THEY WOULD NOT CREDIT THE $2073 COST OF THE NEW TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER DID NOT SEE THIS TROUBLE WHICH IS WHAT I ORIGINALLY BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE, AFTER 3 MORE RETURN VISITS TO SERVICE DEPT, THEY FINALLY REPLACE SPEED SENSOR, NOW PROBLEM IS GONE, BUT NOW I HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION THAT I DID NOT NEED. THEY NEVER PRODUCED ANY DIAGNOSTIC BACK UP TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILING, I TOOK THEM AT THEIR WORD THAT THIS IS WHAT THE CAR NEEDED, WHEN ALL ALONG THE SPEED SENSOR FIXED THE TROUBLE. THEY WERE VERY UNCOOPERATIVE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE EXPERIENCE EXCEPT WHEN IT CAME TO TAKING OUR MONEY, AND AT ONE POINT WHEN I ASKED TO PLEASE LET ME TEST DRIVE WITH THE TECH, THE SERVICE MANAGER ADVISED ME, THEY HAD SPENT ENOUGH TIME ON THIS AND TO TAKE THE CAR AND LEAVE. NOT UNTIL I RESEARCHED OTHER DRIVERS COMPLAINTS ON THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS CAR GOING AT AROUND 70000 MILES. *JB

THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER SHIP REPLACED THE REAR STRUTS. *JB

ATTORNEY GENERAL OF NORTH CAROLINA'S LETTER TO MAZDA CORPORATION ASKED FOR AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TO CONSUMER'S COMPLAINT CONCERNING A CRASH DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE AND NON DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS WHICH RESULTED IN INJURIES. ADD TO 568358. *AK *JB

I BOUGHT A NEW MAZDA PROTEGE IN 1999. I HAVE TAKEN EVERY PRECAUTION TO MAKE SURE MY CAR WAS TAKEN CARE OF. I DID ALL THE MAINTENANCE THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE DONE WHEN THEY WERE DUE. AFTER ALL THE CARE I TOOK, MY CAR'S TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON DEC. 31, 2002 WITH ONLY 66,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THEY SAID IT WOULD BE $2200 TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION. I FEEL THE CAR SHOULD HAVE LASTED LONGER THAN 66,000 MILES. SHOULD THERE BE A RECALL ON THESE CARS? I ALSO FEEL THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE LIABLE.

THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, WHERE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. TS SCC

BRAKES FAILED WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO HIT A STEEL BEAM POLE. THERE THERE WERE NO BRAKE INDICATORS PRIOR TO ACCIDENT, AFTER THE IMPACT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND CONSUMER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES. *TT CONSUMER HASN'T RECEIVED A RESPONSE FRON MAZDA NORTH AMERICA. SCC. *AK

THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY WHICH CAUSED A HIGH PITCHED WHISTLE NOISE IN THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, ON FOUR OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK INTO A LOWER GEAR WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE (VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY), ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE WAS SLIPPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR AND IT STALLED AT WHICH TIME IT COULD NOT BE RESTARTED, THE DEALER THEN SUGGESTED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS THE PROBLEM BUT COULD NO GUARANTEE THAT THE SLIPPAGE WOULD NOT REOCCUR. NLM

WHILE DRIVING RADIATOR FAN RELAY BECAME INOPERABLE. CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL OUT OF THE ROAD, DEALER WILL REPLACE FAN RELAY, BUT IT WILL COST $350.00. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS. *AK

ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION REPLACED BY MAZDA 7/26/00 DUE TO TECH. BULLETIN. SINCE THEN SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY JERKING INTO A LOWER GEAR, AT BOTH HIGH AND LOW SPEEDS. MAZDA DEALER UNABLE TO REPLICATE OR IDENTIFY PROBLEM AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS. MR

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR CRASH WHERE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED. MAZDA WAS NOTIFIED. *MR

STEERING WHEEL OUT OF CENTER, CAR PULLS TO ONE SIDE, TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS IS ALIGMENT PROBLEM, I MENTIONED TO THE DEALER THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT BECAUSE CAR AND DRIVER FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM IN PROTEGE AND CONSUMER REPORTS TOO. DEALER REFUSED TO FIX IT AT NO CHARGE WITH THE CAR STILL UNDER MANUFACTURER WARRANTY, I CONTACTED MAZDA MOTOR CO. AND I GOT SAME ANSWER.*AK

THERE IS A SMELL AND A DARK COLOR LIQUID COMING FROM PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

SIDEWALLS FOUND TO BE CRACKING AS IF DRY-ROTTING ON 7/23/02. E-MAILED FIRESTONE WITH NO RESPONSE YET. SCHEDULED TO REPLACE TIRES FRIDAY BECAUSE I CONSIDER THEM UNSAFE ESPECIALLY AFTER READING ON THIS SITE ABOUT ALL THE SIDEWALL BLOWOUTS.*JB

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 20-50 MPH ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, VEHICLE JERKED INTO REVERSE AND BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK GEAR SHIFT REMAINS IN DRIVE OCCURRING EVERH 2-3 MONTHS. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM, BUT STATES 4-5 OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. *TT

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED APPLIES BRAKES , AND WITHOUT WARNING THE BRAKES FADE.*JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK IN HIS VEHICLE WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A CRACKED ENGINE BLOCK. NLM. CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT THE CLUTCH STUCK AT TIMES.*JB

WHILE DRIVING, WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE ACCELERATING GEARS WILL CHANGE/ EXTREMELY ROUGH. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING TRANSMISSION WILL JERK OR GET STUCK INTO OTHER GEARS. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

THE VEHICALS TACOMETER WAS FLUTTERING AND THE VEHICAL WAS STALLING AT LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WE BROUGHT THE VEHICAL TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE PROBLEM STATING THE INTAKE MANAFOILD GASKET WAS CRACKED. JUST BARELY OVER THE WARENTY WE FOLD A ENGINE PROBLEM OF THIS NATURE ODD AS WELL AS THE DEALER DID. WE ARE SEEKING SOME KIND OF RETURNDED FUNDS FROM MAZDA FOR THE EXPENSIVE PROBLEM.*AK

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 40 MPH FRONT END COLLISION, AND FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMERS HEAD HIT WINDSHIELD. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

ORIGINAL MANUFACTURED EQUIPMENT ON A 1999, MAZDA, PROTEGE, TIRE SIZE P18565R14. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON HIGHWAY CONSUMER HEARD A THUMPING NOISE BEFORE THE EXPLOSION OF TREAD SEPARATING FROM RIGHT REAR TIRE. *AK FIRESTONE TIRES P185/65/R14.*JG

WHILE DRIVING AND SLOWING DOWN A TRUCK HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AND PUSHED IT INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.*AK

REAR LEFT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, COMPLETLY SHREARD FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE TIRE ABOUT HALF WAY AROUND THE TIRE. WHEN TAKEN TO THE FIRESTONE DEALER COMPLAINED ABOUT TREAD SPERATION, WAS TOLD THAT I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING TO HAVE CAUSED SUCH DAMAGE TO THE TIRE. THERE WAS MINIMIAL TREAD WEAR ON THE TIRE AS IT WAS BRAND NEW AND HARDLY ANY MILEAGE DRIVEN ON IT. FIRESTONE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE TIRE FOR FREE, STATED HE DID NOT HAVE ANY INSTOCK AND WOULD HAVE TO ORDER A TIRE TO REPLACE IT. TOLD THE FIRESTONE DEALER FORGET IT AND REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A NON FIRESTONE BRAND FROM A MORE REPUTIABLE TIRE MANUFACTURE. LUCKLY THERE WAS NOONE HURT AND THE CAR DID NOT LOSE CONTROL AFTER THE BLOW OUT. (TIRESIZE: R14)

INTERNAL LOCK SERVO GEAR FAILED ON THE INSIDER OF FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR. HAD TO TAKE CAR INTO DEALERSHIP TO FIX WHILE CAR WAS UNDER WARANTY. THEY HAD TO SPECIAL ORDER A NEW LOCK MECHNISIM. UNKOWN AMOUNT OF DAMAGE AS WAS COMPELTLY COVERED BY WARANTY.*AK

WHENEVER CAR COMES TO A STOP AND TAKES OFF THERE'S A VIOLENT JOLT LIKE GETTING HIT IN REAR.*AK CONSUMER STATES WHEN TRAVELING AT 40 MPH THERE WILL BE A VIOLENT JOLT AS IF SOMEONE HIT YOU FROM BEHIND, IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE JOLTS FOWARD CONSUMER STATES THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED HE THOUGHT HE HAD BEEN REAR-ENDED.*JB

THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CAUSING THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY DECREASES FROM HIGHWAY SPEED TO 0-5 MPH WHILE THE TACHOMETER MOVES WILDLY. NLM

I BOUGHT A FORMERLY WRECKED CAR WITH FRONTAL DAMAGE. THE AIRBAGS HAD NOT DEPLOYED. I NOTICED THE PROBLEM ON OTHER 99 PROTEGES AND THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT IT. THERE SEEMS TO BE A POSSIBLE DEFECT IN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.*AK

GEAR CASING INSIDE STEERING WHEEL BROKE, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY LOOSE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER STATED ENTIRE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED REPLACING. *AK ACCIDNET HAD OCCURED AT LESS THAN 5000 MILES, AND THE STEERING WHEEL BROKE 18,000 MILES LATER, BUT THE DEALER REFUSED REPLACING IT STATING THE PREVIOUS SALVAGE TITLE. *YH

STEERING WHEEL CAST AROUND PART WITH GEAR TO ATTACH TO STEERING COLUMN--CASTING FAILED. *AK

TOOK CAR INTO DEALERSHIP FOR INVESTIGATION OF 'HUMMING' NOISE COMING FROM FRONT RIGHT TIRE AND VIBRATION OF STEERING AT 65MPH. SERVICE DEPT STATED ALL FOUR TIRES ARE CUPPING IN CAUSING UNEVEN WEAR ON TREAD.ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL IS BENT. THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACING ALL FOUR TIRES, NEW WHEEL,AND ALIGNMENT.*AK (DOT NUMBER: H48N TIRESIZE: P195/55R15)

HORN STARTS HONKING BY ITSELF IN MID-NIGHT WHEN NOBODY IS ON THE CAR. THE CAR IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH ANY ANTI-THEFT ALARM SYSTEM. THE HONKING SOUND IS STEADY RATHER THAN ALTERNATING LIKE THAT MADE BY ANTI-THEFT ALARM. AFTER LOCAL POLICE NOTIFICATION, I WENT TO THE PARKING LOT. THE CAR HAD BEEN HONKING FOR OVER THIRTY MINUTES NON-STOP. THE MOMENT I PUSH THE "UNLOCK" BUTTON ON THE REMOTE KEYLESS CONTROLLER, THE HONKING STOPPED. THE FIRST TME THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED, THE DEALER, CRYSTAL MAZDA IN NJ, REPLACED BOTH HORNS THAT WERE ALMOST BURNT OUT. BUT THEY FAILED TO FIND THE REAL PROBLEM WHICH I STRONGLY SUSPECT IS RELEVENT TO THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY MODULE THAT CAN CONTROL HORN. THEN, EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED ABOUT ONE MONTH LATER IN THE MORNING. CRYSTAL AUTO MALL FAILED TO FIND ANY PROBLEM. THEY DIDN'T REPLACE ANY PART.*AK

DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT AT 35MPH, WHEEL SLIGHTLLY BENT, DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE HAD BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL. FIRESTONE DEALER REPLACED TIRES AND GAVE ADJUSTED CREDIT. I SEE THAT OTHERS OWNERS ARE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THESE TIRES. PLEASE CONSIDER DANGER WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHER RATE OF SPEED. *AK (DOT NUMBER: H406JDN239 TIRESIZE: 18565R14)

I WASN'T SURE IF THIS TIRE WAS PART OF THE RECALL ON FIRESTONE, BUT I THOUGHT I SHOULD CHECK. I'VE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR A YEAR AND BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. IT SURPRISED ME TO HAVE A TIRE BLOW OUT AND HAVE IT UNREPAIRABLE. THE REASON THE TIRE BLEW OUT WASN'T FROM A NAIL OR GLASS, BUT THE SIDE OF THE TIRE WAS WORE DOWN AND THEREFORE UNREPAIRABLE. WHAT SURPRISED ME EVEN MORE IS THAT THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE TIRE SAID THAT IT LOOKED AS THOUGH IT WAS RUBBED AGAINST CONCRETE. HOW CAN YOU RUB AGAINST CONCRETE FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEN YOU PARK ALONG THE CURBS WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS VERY CONFUSED BY THIS. THE TIRE REPLACEMENT COST WAS $55.67. IS THIS UNUSUAL? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. (DOT NUMBER: H406 TIRESIZE: P185/65R14)

ENGINE LOSES POWER SIGNIFICANTLY OR SOMETIMES GOES UPTO 5000RPM IN 5 MPH SPEED WITHOUT ANY SIGN. STALLS MIDDLE OF A STREET WITHOUT ANY SIGN, AS WELL. AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY MAZDA'S EXPENSE ON AUGUST 15. HOWEVER, THE SAME PROBLEM REPEATED TO OCCUR AGAIN IN TWO MONTH; AND WAS TOLD BY DEALER (IN MI) THAT FUEL PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. DEALER ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF UNPREDICTABILITY OF THE PROBLEM OCCURANCE. COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL, AND IT IS QUITE DANGEROUS.

MAZDA WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS, AIR BAGS DID NOT DIPLOY IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION.

TIRE TREAD SEPARATED ON BOTH FRONT TIRES ON THE INSIDE OF TIRES DOWN TO METAL BELT. WAS NOTICED BEFORE ANY FLAT OCCURED BECAUSE STRIPS OF TIRE TREAD WERE HITTING THE INSIDE OF THE FENDER WELL MAKING A LOT OF NOISE. RETURNED TIRES TO FIRESTONE DEALER BUT WAS TOLD PROBLEM WAS DUE TO ALIGNMENT WHICH I DID NOT AGREE WITH. TOOK TIRES TO ANOTHER SHOP ( SAM'S CLUB) AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRE FAILURES WERE NOT ALIGNMENT RELATED AND MUST BE DUE TO TIRE DEFECTS. I REPLACED THE TIRES AND THE NEW TIRES SHOW NO SIGNS OF MISALIGNMENT WEAR. THE FAILED TIRES ARE STILL IN MY POSSESION. WHAT COURSE OF ACTION DO YOU RECOMMEND NEXT?( DOT NUMBER: H48NCJN229 TIRE SIZE: P195/55R15 )

NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG UPON IMPACT AND THE DRIVERS SEAT BROKE CAUSING INJURIES TO LOWER BACK. NLM

WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65MPH WHEN LEFT FRONT TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE TIRE. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR BLOWOUT. NO PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE AT TIME OF SEPARATION. CHANGED THE TIRE & TOOK VEHICLE TO TIRE SHOP. IT WAS REPLACED WITH DIFFERENT TYPE. HAD 30,000 MILES ON TIRE. STILL HAS THE TIRE. FIRE STONE FR680, SIZE P185/65R14. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE COLLIDED HEAD FIRST TO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 45MPH AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN INJURIES. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.

I AM HAVING ALL OF THESE LOOKED AT WHEN I TURN IT IN FOR REPAIRS; THE CARPET/ELECTRICAL PROBLEM CAUSES A MAJOR SHOCK UPON LEAVING THE VEHICLE. *AK

THE BRAKE PEDAL DESIGN IS INADEQUATE, PAD IS TOO NARROW AND SHOULD BE DESIGNED WITH ANTI SKID SURFACE. *MJS

I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THESE NONCONFORMITY'S SINCE THE BEGINNING OF DECEMBER. I HAVE GIVEN THE MANUFACTURER MORE THAN AMPLE TIME, ( RECEIVING MY NOTIFICATION IN WRITTING ON THE 30TH, OF MARCH) AND AS YOU CAN SEE, MANY ATTEMPTS TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEMS. MAZDA AMERICA HAS SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE 10TH OF MAY. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN THE SUMMARY. *AK

FUEL LINE HAD A CRACK WHICHD CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK OUT, RESULTING IN A FIRE. CURRENTLY AT DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

METAL RODS IN DRIVER'S SEAT CAN BE FELT IN BOTH SIDES OF THE BACK WHEN SITTING. BELIEVED THIS CAN CAUSE BACK INJURIES IF INVOVLED IN A VEHICLE COLLISION, IT MAY FORCE THE RODS UP AGAINST THE DRIVER'S BACK. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

MY MAIN COMPLAINT IS THE AIRBAGS. THE ACCIDENT WAS SERIOUS ENOUGH TO CRACK THE CASING UNDER THE BUMPER. WHY DID THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOY? PLEASE PROVIDE ME WITH INFORMATION!!!

BRAKES FADED RESULTING IN ACCIDENT, AFTER ACCIDENT CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. *ET

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT AN IMPACT OF 40 MPH IN WHICH BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED TO UNLATCH. DRIVER HAD TO CRAWL OUT OF BELT TO GET FREE. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REPLACED BELT. *AK

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION UPSHIFTS WITH NOTICEABLE HARSH JERKS WHICH IS ANNOYING AND IS VERY MUCH INTENSE AND HARSH IN COLD CONDITIONS. *AK

FIRESTONE TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS WERE VERY SHAKEN UP BUT UNHURT. *SLC

FIRESTONE TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS WERE VERY SHAKEN UP BUT UNHURT. *SLC

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, CONTINUED PROBLEM OF ACCELERATION WHEN CHANGING GEARS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT APRROXIMATELY 50 MPH ,DRIVER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD-ON ,AND DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURIES. NO WARNING OF AIRBAGS BEING INOPERATIVE. *AK

AFTER TURNING VEHICLE OFF & EXITING VEHICLE DRIVER RECEIVED A SEVERE STATIC ELECTRIC SHOCK. THE INTERIOR SEATS ARE MADE OF CLOTH. TOOK VEHICLE TO 1ST DEALERSHIP & INFORMED NO SUCH PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM CAN HAPPEN WHILE JUST DRIVING FOR 5 MINUTES OR FOR LONGER PERIODS. WAS SHOWN PRINTOUT BY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP ABOUT STATIC ELECTRICITY. PROBLEM CAN NOT BE SOLVED. *AK

LOOP ON CONSUMER'S SHOE GOT STUCK ON SEAT LEVER UNDERNEATH SEAT PREVENTING HIM FROM BEING ABLE TO DEPRESS THE CLUTCH WHILE DRIVING. NLM

WHILE TRAVELING AND AS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURY TO CONSUMER. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATON. *AK

VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT ABOUT 15MPH AND HOOD OF CAR WAS SMASHED. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK

I'VE READ THAT LATE MODEL YEARS WITH THE AT HAVE EXPERIENCED RANDOM HARD SHIFTS WHILE GOING AT MODERATE SPEEDS. I WAS ACCELERATING GENTLY FROM 35 TO 40 MPG ON A VERY GENTLE SLOPE WHEN I FELT AS IF THE CAR HIT A LARGE BUMP OR RIDGE. CURIOUS AND WORRIED, I TURNED BACK AND RETRACED MY PATH TO SEE IF IT WOULD REPEAT. IT DIDN'T, BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL DEVELOP INTO A MAJOR PROBLEM LATER. I'VE READ FROM OTHER OWNERS OF LATE MODEL PROTEGES WITH THE AT THAT THEY MAY ABRUPTLY SEIZE WHILE IN OPERATION. BLAME IS PINNED ON THE FORD-DESIGNED AT. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AS IT COULD EASILY RESULT IN ACCIDENTS AND CASUALTIES SHOULD THIS TRANSMISSION FAIL SUDDENLY IN TRAFFIC.