Worst 1990 Mazda Protege Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1990 Mazda Protege.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEAT BELTS | 11 | 1 | — | 206,250 mi | |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | 2 | — | — | — | |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT | 2 | — | — | — | |
| STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | 2 | — | — | — | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 | — | — | — | |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE | 2 | — | — | — | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 1 | — | — | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 | — | — | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL | 1 | — | — | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 1 | — | — | — | |
| EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT | 1 | — | — | — | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 1 | — | — | — | |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT | 1 | — | — | 128,000 mi | |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING | 1 | — | — | — | |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT | 1 | — | — | — | |
| SUSPENSION | 1 | — | — | — | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 1 | — | — | — | |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 1 | — | — | — |
Recalls for 1990 Mazda Protege
1 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,368,500 vehicles.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
Other Mazda Protege Years
Wider context: See the full Mazda Protege reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1990 Mazda Protege
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99