1999 Mazda Protege
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 23 of 88 complaints (26%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 46 in 1998 to 88 in 1999.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | vs. 1999 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,150–2,700 | 2,150–2,700 | 2,300–2,700 | 2,300–2,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 23–29 | 23–29 | 23–27 | 23–27 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 20–26 / 27–33 | 20–26 / 27–33 | 21–25 / 27–31 | 21–25 / 27–31 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 306–386 | 306–386 | 329–386 | 329–386 | |
| Complaints filed | 66 | 46 | 88 | 102 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 15 | 8 | 21 | 25 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 14 | 2 | 16 | 21 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1999 Mazda Protege have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1999 Mazda Protege?
Airbags & Restraints: 23 of 88 NHTSA complaints (26%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1999 Mazda Protege get?
EPA rates it 23–27 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1999 Mazda Protege?
EPA estimates $2,300–$2,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 23 mpg | 30 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 25 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | $2,300 (low) | 329 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | $2,700 (high) | 386 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 22 mpg | 28 mpg | 25 mpg | $2,500 | 355 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 6 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 23 | 21 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009
Defect: SABERSPORT 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.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006
Defect: CERTAIN 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.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. · Campaign 00V301000 · Oct 19, 2000
Defect: VEHICLE 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.
Consequence: IF THE SHORT CIRCUIT OCCURS AT ONE SPECIFIC SET OF TERMINALS, THE REAR RIGHT LOUDSPEAKER CAN OVERHEAT AND, IN SOME CASES, CATCH FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL AFFIX ALUMINUM TAPE OVER THE AUDIO UNIT TO PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING.