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1999 Mazda Protege DX Sedan

The 1999 Mazda Protege DX Sedan is a 105-hp 1.6-liter inline-4 sedan with a 5-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $12,420 MSRP and is rated at 27 mpg combined.

It makes 105 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 107 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 25 mpg city and 31 mpg highway (27 mpg combined).

The Protege measures 174.0 inches long on a 102.8-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,449 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$12,420 ($24,229 *)
Engine
Engine Type1.6L SOHC 16-valve I4
Displacement1.6 L
Horsepower105 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque107 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
ValvetrainSOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Injection TypeElectronic fuel injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission5-speed manual
Fuel Economy
City25 MPG
Highway31 MPG
Combined27 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular
Tank Capacity13 gal
Dimensions & Weight
Length174 in
Width67.1 in
Height55.5 in
Wheelbase102.8 in
Curb Weight2,449 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front39.3 in
Headroom Rear37.4 in
Legroom Front42.2 in
Legroom Rear35.4 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 1999 Mazda Protege 4-DR.

Recalls

3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1999 Mazda PROTEGE. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Apr 7, 2009 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

NHTSA campaign 09E012000

Mar 23, 2006 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

NHTSA campaign 06E026000

Oct 5, 2000 · EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

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.

NHTSA campaign 00V301000

90 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1999 Mazda PROTEGE

Owner Complaints

90 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Mazda PROTEGE (21 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 15 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Power Train23
Air Bags21
Tires12
Engine And Engine Cooling8
Electrical System7
Hydraulic6
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Feb 13, 2018 · Engine
“THE PLASTIC DIP STICK TO CHECK OIL SNAPPED OFF”
Oct 30, 2015 · Electrical System, Exterior Lighting
“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…”
Mar 19, 2015 · Electrical System
“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”
May 29, 2011 · Electrical System, Exterior Lighting
“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…”
Jan 21, 2010 · Seat Belts
“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…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1999 MAZDA PROTEGE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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