Most common 1997 Mazda Protege problems
Share of the 66 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mazda Protege complaints by model year
Best Protege years: 1998, 2001, 1997. Years to avoid: 1995. Compare all years →
1997 Mazda Protege recalls (1)
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
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.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6.
What 1997 Mazda Protege owners say
Air bags
1) airbag didnt deploy during a right angle (t bone) accident at an intersection .. The driver (me) systained head and face / chest injuries. 2) since new the right rear brake on my non ABS car lockes up very easily, and has caused a spin out in several cases, on wet surfaces. A dealer tried to do something, but it has not corrected the problem. Further, when I wrote Mazda customer service hq, they simply said to go back to a dealer for their judgement / action to correct the problem.
While driving at 50 mhp another vehicle stopped in the middle of the highway. When applying the brakes, the consumer pumped the brakes and the vehicle slid into the other vehicle, rearending it. Upon impact, driver's air bag didn't deploy until the consumer hit the steering wheel and broke the biggest sternum bone in her chest. Also, the shoulder belt didn't hold the consumer.
Brakes
1) airbag didnt deploy during a right angle (t bone) accident at an intersection .. The driver (me) systained head and face / chest injuries. 2) since new the right rear brake on my non ABS car lockes up very easily, and has caused a spin out in several cases, on wet surfaces. A dealer tried to do something, but it has not corrected the problem. Further, when I wrote Mazda customer service hq, they simply said to go back to a dealer for their judgement / action to correct the problem.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Mazda protg dx. The contact stated that after taking his vehicle in for routine inspection, the mechanic informed him that both the front and rear brakes were rusted. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that all the brake lines were rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000. Updated 02/11/11 updated 11/30/2011
Transmission & drivetrain
When driving on highway, the overdrive light started to flash and tachometer went to 5000 rpms, vehicle did not accelerate and did not change gear. The second time, driver lost control and hit a curb while driving on slippery road.
While vehicle is in reverse and then switches to drive, vehicle will jump without a warning. One time resulted in crash into a cement wall, driver was injured.
1997 Mazda Protege engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 26 / 33 / 29 |
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 30 / 25 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 23 / 29 / 25 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 27 / 23 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Mazda Protege a good car?
Based on 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Protege rates average: 20% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Protege at the same age. It is one of the best Protege years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Mazda Protege?
The air bags — 12 complaints, 18% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the brakes (11) and transmission & drivetrain (10).
How many recalls does the 1997 Mazda Protege have?
There is 1 recall for the 1997 Mazda Protege, the most recent from October 19, 2015 (switch). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mazda Protege?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1998, 2001 and 1997. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995. See the full Mazda Protege years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Mazda Protege problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 99,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.