I drove the car for 2 miles and the left underside of the engine caught fire, now the engine is dead and in need of a new engine?
Mazda Protege fire or smoke problems
19 of the 1,074 owner complaints about the Mazda Protege describe fire, smoke or burning smell, most of them for the 1991 model year.
- owner complaints
- 19
- worst model year
- 1991
- typical mileage
- 110,275
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20022
- 20011
- 20002
- 19981
- 19971
- 19961
- 19952
- 19942
- 19933
- 19921
- 19913
Often reported together
What owners say
After driving 2 miles or less the right underside of the engine caught on fire and now the engine is blown.
Tl* the contact owned a 1991 mazda protege. While driving various speeds, smoke appeared under the hood. There were no flames visible and no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v674000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mazda protege. While driving 25 MPH, the radio stopped working and then smoke came out of the radio. The contact removed the fuse to disengage the radio after smelling the wires burning. The manufacturer has not been notified. The contact is concerned about the risk since serious damage may have occurred. The failure mileage was 110,275.
I was at a local restaurant when they announced a mazda protege was on fire in the parking lot. Fire department and police were called. Fire was put out and fire department looked to find source of fire. I was told it was electrical. It started in the wiring at the left rear door. The fireman asked what was in the trunk (meaning highpowered amps). I told him everything in the car was original. No added equipment. He said that the only time he had seen a fire in the electrical system like mine was as a result of overload from added speaker/ amps. My mazda 2001 protege is being totaled by farmers insurance but they will not have it investigated as to the failure. Mazda has been informed and opened a case but will not do anything without the insurance company's investigation. I am now out a car that should have lasted me ten years or more. I have had no problems with this car until the fire. If the insurance companys refuse to investigate then how do we, the consumer, know when we are in danger. What recourse do I have with either my insurance company or with mazda.
Purchased a new 2002 mazda protege on 2/20/02 from ramsey mazda, ramsey, nj. Other than regular oil changes, only service to vehicle done by mazda dealer on 5/8/02 when car stalled and dealer installed new computer. On 8/24/03, while driving car stalled and I saw smoke coming from under the hood. Opened hood and saw engine compartment engulfed in flames. Fire department called and put out fire but not before extensive damage done to front of car. Insurance company has deemed car totalled. Mazda claims they have no investigative team to determine cause of fire and that my insurance company should hire an independent investigator. Insurance company refuses to hire investigator.
Car started smoking & within less than 10 minutes the fire that started under the hood had half the car engulfed in flames, within 25 minutes the whole car was completely burned up from front to back.
Exhaust manifold crack in 1998 mazada protege. Recently there has been a burning smell in the cabin. My mechanic found that it is due to the exhaust manifold crack and told me that it is a common problem for 95-98 protege. He thought it might be in the bulletin. I took his suggestion and called the dealer, but the answer was negative. I am very concerned because the monoxide from the exhaust could potentially kill a person in silence. I have been driving the car with the window open most time, just to be safe. I hope that mazda will place a recall on it
While driving down a bypass vehicle caught on fire in dashboard. Vehicle currently being checked by dealer.
While filling tank, flames came out of tank, and vehicle caught on fire. Also, consumer was injured when vehicle was turned off. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide further informaton.
Related recalls
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
- 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. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.
Recall number 15V674000 · Recall details
Questions about the Mazda Protege fire or smoke
Which Mazda Protege years have fire, smoke or burning smell problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1991 (3 complaints), 1993 (3 complaints) and 1994 (2 complaints).
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