Mazda Protege problems
The Mazda Familia (Japanese: マツダ ファミリア, Matsuda Famiria), also marketed prominently as the Mazda 323, Mazda Protegé and Mazda Allegro, is a small family car that was manufactured by Mazda between 1963 and 2003. The Familia line was replaced by the Mazda3/Axela for 2004.
It was marketed as the Familia in Japan, which means "family" in Latin. For export, earlier models were sold with nameplates including: "800", "1000", "1200", and "1300". In North America, the 1200 was replaced by the Mazda GLC, with newer models becoming "323" and "Protegé". In Europe, all Familias sold after 1977 were called "323".
The Familia was also rebranded as the Ford Laser and Ford Meteor in Asia, Oceania, Southern Africa, some Latin American countries and, from 1991, as the Ford Escort and Mercury Tracer in North America. In addition, the Familia name was used as the Mazda Familia Wagon/Van, a badge-engineered version of the Nissan AD wagon (1994–2017) and Toyota Probox (2018–present).
Mazda Familias were manufactured in the Hiroshima Plant and also assembled from "knock-down kits" in various countries including Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Colombia, and New Zealand. Some of these plants kept manufacturing the Familia long after it was discontinued at home.
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Mazda Protege model years
Common Mazda Protege problems
Based on complaints from owners of the Mazda Protege, several common problems have been reported. These issues encompass various aspects of the vehicle, including the engine, brakes, airbags, powertrain, and more. Here is a detailed list of the common problems with the Mazda Protege based on owner complaints:
- Brake and Caliper Issues:
- Common complaints involve caliper and brake issues, particularly in the 2002 Protege model, with reports of three complaints related to this problem.
- Powertrain Problems:
- The 2000 Mazda Protege has been reported to have several powertrain issues, including automatic transmission problems like the accelerator pedal sticking, transmission seizing, and non-deployment of airbags leading to accidents.
- Electrical System Concerns:
- The 2002 Protege model has been associated with electrical system issues, including problems with the transmission such as rough shifting, hesitation, gear locking, and high-pitched noises, affecting its reliability.
- Safety Issues - Airbags and Seat Belts:
- Reports highlight safety concerns with airbags and seat belts in the 2000 and 2002 Protege models. Non-deployment of airbags during collisions and seat belt latch failures have been documented, leading to serious injuries and accidents.
- Mechanical Problems:
- The 1999 Mazda Protege is flagged for severe safety and mechanical issues, with complaints and recalls related to these concerns. Specific details of these mechanical issues are not provided but are significant enough to warrant avoidance of this model year.
These common problems reported by Mazda Protege owners underscore the importance of thorough inspection and maintenance to address potential issues and ensure the safety and reliability of the vehicle.
Are Mazda Proteges reliable?
Many users say that their Mazda Protégés are fairly reliable, though they do need to take them in for maintenance more regularly than once per year in many cases. However, this isn't terribly surprising given the fact that the last Mazda Protégé was created in 2003.
How long can a Mazda Protege last?
One of the key features of the Mazda Protege is its robust and durable engine. Many owners report that these cars can run smoothly for hundreds of thousands of miles with regular maintenance and care.
What was the problem with the 2001 Mazda Protege?
Most Common 2001 Mazda Protege Problems
An electrically shorted air flow sensor can cause a crank-no start condition. diagnosis may show that ignition spark... The timing belt tensioner pulley may make a squealing noise from the timing cover area on cold startup.
What year did they stop making the Mazda Protege?
Interior room is spacious for a small sedan and includes a fairly comfortable rear seat. A four-door hatchback/wagon, called the Protegé5, joined the line. Large fog lights, wide tires, and exaggerated bodywork lend it a sportier appearance. It was discontinued after the 2003 model year, replaced by the Mazda 3.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Mazda Protege years
We have researched Mazda problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Mazda Protege cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Mazda Protege model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Mazda Protege model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Mazda Protege years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Mazda Protege car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Mazda Protege , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Seat belts problems
- Power train problems
- Air bags problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Service brakes problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Mazda Protege vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Protege model years
A total of 199 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Protege model years
There were a total of 27 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Protege model years
There were a total of 223 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with deaths by Protege model years
There were a total of 2 complaints that resulted in a death. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 1198 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Mazda Protege . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Mazda Protege vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Mazda Protege 1998
- Date Of Incident: 2015-10-07
- Date Complaint: 2021-10-17
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JM1BC1411W0
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Straight-on, front-end collision occurred, that destroyed radiator and folded hood. Air bag did not deploy.
Mazda Protege 2001
- Date Of Incident: 2020-08-24
- Date Complaint: 2020-10-16
- VIN: JM1BJ222710
- Components: SEAT BELTS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: EVERY TIME I GO TO FASTEN MY SEAT BELT INTO THE BUCKLE, IT'S ALWAYS UNBUCKLING IT SELF. THIS HAPPENS IN STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. MY RADIOS SCREEN CANT BE SEEN OR READ. THE VISOR ON THE CAR BROKE OFF AND NOTHING WAS PULLING IT.
Mazda Protege 2003
- Date Of Incident: 2020-01-22
- Date Complaint: 2020-03-16
- VIN: JM1BJ246231
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE AND TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS TAKEN APART AND THE MECHANIC FOUND A SCREW INSIDE OF THE INTAKE VALVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000.
Mazda Protege 2003
- Date Of Incident: 2020-02-28
- Date Complaint: 2020-03-02
- VIN: JM1BJ246731
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: ROUGH IDLE CAUSING TO STALL WHILE DRIVING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR CYLINDER MISFIRE, FOUND CYLINDER 4 WITH A BENT SPARK PLUG WITH THE GAP CLOSED. REPLACED ALL 4 PLUGS CAR RAN FINE FOR A FEW MONTHS ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE CYLINDER MISFIRE WITH CYLINDER 4 WITH ANOTHER BENT PLUG GAP CLOSED. POSSIBLE SOMETHING LOOSE INSIDE CYLINDER 4 CAUSING THE MISFIRE ISSUES TO THE PLUG. MILEAGE 130,280
Mazda Protege 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2019-11-27
- Date Complaint: 2019-11-27
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JM1BJ2221Y0
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TODAY WE GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DIDN'T COME OUT UNTIL AFTER MY GRANDAUGHTER'S FACE HIT THE WINDSHEILD.
Mazda Protege 2003
- Date Of Incident: 2019-06-01
- Date Complaint: 2019-08-30
- VIN: JM1BJ226631
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE WOULD NOT PASS 2019 VIRGINIA SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. DEALER CANNOT REPLACE BECAUSE MAZDA HAS DISCONTINUED THAT PART. UNDER VIRGINIA LAW, CAR CANNOT BE OPERATED WITHOUT VALID INSPECTION CERTIFICATE. INSPECTION DISCLOSED NO OTHER DISQUALIFYING CONDITIONS.
Mazda Protege 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2019-05-07
- Date Complaint: 2019-05-12
- VIN: JM1BJ225721
- Components: TIRES,WHEELS
- Summary: BULGES ON SIDEWALLS OF BOTH PASSENGER TIRES. TIRES ARE 6 MONTHS OLD AND ONLY HAVE APPROXIMATELY 3,000 MILES.
Mazda Protege 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2018-04-13
- Date Complaint: 2018-04-14
- VIN: JM1BJ2223Y0
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: MY CAR GOES IN AND OUT OF OD BY ITS SELF AND THE OD BUTTON DOES NOT WORK WHILE IM DRIVING AND THE OD LIGHT FLASHES WHEN IT GOES ON AAND STOP WHEN IT DEACTIVATES IT SELF
Mazda Protege 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2018-03-18
- Date Complaint: 2018-04-10
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JM1BJ2213Y0
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: 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 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2018-03-19
- Date Complaint: 2018-04-10
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JM1BJ2213Y0
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: AFTER DRIVING 2 MILES OR LESS THE RIGHT UNDERSIDE OF THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND NOW THE ENGINE IS BLOWN.
Mazda Protege 1999
- Date Of Incident: 2018-02-01
- Date Complaint: 2018-02-13
- VIN: JM1BJ2229X0
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: THE PLASTIC DIP STICK TO CHECK OIL SNAPPED OFF
Mazda Protege 2003
- Date Of Incident: 2004-09-17
- Date Complaint: 2017-12-05
- VIN: JM1BJ225031
- Components: STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
- Summary: EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE AREA INSIDE AND OUTSIDE IN TIRES ... MANY SEVERAL WORKSHOPS CAN NOT CORRECT THE ALIGNMENT FAULT ... THE STEERING WHEEL GO TO THE RIGHT AND I HAVE TO FORCE TO THE LEFT ... ALL THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION PART ARE NEW , INCLUDING THE SHOCK ABSORBER IS NEW AND CONTROL ARM AND LINK ROD AND BUSHING ...THE CENTRIC BOLT NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE ...I SEE OVER ETHERNET MANY PEOPLE HAS THE SAME FAIL IN THIS CAR ..I BUY THIS CAR NEW AND NEVER CRASHED OR OR MISTREATED ..I REPORT THIS IN THIS YEAR BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME IT'S A MANUFACTURING FAULT..AND I HAVE HAD TOO MUCH EXPENSES AND I CAN NOT SOLVE ... RIGHT NOW I NEED TO BUY OTHER TIRES...PLEASE I NEED A SOLUTION ...I SEND A ETHERNET PHOTO AND THE CAR AND COLOR IS SAME ...TO REMEMBER THE MILLEAGE VALOR AND YEAR PRESENTED IN THE NEXT QUESTION IN THIS FORM IS APPROXIMATED ...THANK YOU I WAIT YOU RESPONSE
Mazda Protege 1994
- Date Of Incident: 2017-10-22
- Date Complaint: 2017-10-24
- VIN: JM1BG226XR0
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT ON DRIVER SIDE DID NOT RETRACT COMPLETELY WHEN VEHICLE WAS OFF AND DOOR WAS OPENED. SEAT BELT ONLY RETRACTED 1/3 OF THE WAY AND STAYS THERE. SEAT BELT STILL RETRACTS BACK TO SHOULDER POSITION WHEN KEY IS TURNED.
Mazda Protege 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2017-09-09
- Date Complaint: 2017-09-10
- VIN: JM1BJ246921
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: THE SECURITY ALARM FEATURE BECOMES ACTIVATED AND WILL NOT DEACTIVATE WITH EITHER THE KEY FOB, THE IGNITION KEY, DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY, OR PULLING THE INTERNAL IGNITION/ALARM FUSE. THIS PREVENTS THE CAR FROM BEING STARTED AND DRIVEN FOR INDETERMINATE PERIODS OF TIME. THIS HAPPENS AFTER THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY, AND ALL THE DOORS ARE LOCKED, NO MATTER BY WHAT METHOD. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE CAUSED THE CAR'S ALARM SYSTEM TO BECOME ACTIVATED WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING GREAT CONCERN THAT SOMETHING MAY SHORT OUT IN THE ENGINE WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY.
Mazda Protege 1994
- Date Of Incident: 2017-07-23
- Date Complaint: 2017-08-28
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM HAS FAILED. HAD TO UNPLUG BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT MOTORS, BECAUSE THE SEATBELT LOCK WOULDN'T STOP TRYING TO MOVE WHILE IN DRIVE.
Latest 5 recalls Mazda Protege
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 35 recalls for different components of the Mazda Protege.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Mazda Protege 1996
- Report Received Date: 2015-10-19
- Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Model: Mazda Protege 1990
- Report Received Date: 2015-10-19
- Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Model: Mazda Protege 1997
- Report Received Date: 2015-10-19
- Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Model: Mazda Protege 1992
- Report Received Date: 2015-10-19
- Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Model: Mazda Protege 1998
- Report Received Date: 2015-10-19
- Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
Latest negative Mazda Protege car reviews
Latest positive Mazda Protege car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2001
I'm so glad I kept this car for 130K! I did have to replace the struts to improve the ride, but it was definitely worth the investment. If you're in the market for one, I highly recommend looking for an ES model because it comes with ABS and side airbags. The ABS actually saved me from a collision once, so I feel much safer driving this little car with those modern safety features. Keep in mind that the ES requires more expensive tires, but I've had good luck with Kumho tires that fit the ES rim. Unfortunately, this car doesn't perform well in the snow with the factory rims and tires, but I solved that problem by buying snow tires on steel rims to use during Wisconsin winters.
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Vehicle year: 1994
Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I just wanted to share with you my experience with this car. I bought it almost-new in 1994 with about 13,000 miles on it, and now it has 192,000 miles on it! It has been a reliable car, and aside from frequent brake work and multiple A/C repairs, it has not needed major repairs, just what one would expect on a car with this many miles. It still gets over 25 miles a gallon, which is amazing! However, now that my teenager is going to start driving, we really need something with airbags. It's hard to part with this car, but I know it's time to move on. Take care!
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Vehicle year: 2002
This is actually my second Protege. My first one was a 2000 model, which unfortunately got totaled. If it hadn't, I would have kept driving it for at least another 5 years! The Protege is a very well-built car that feels tight and reliable. I highly recommend getting one with the ES premium package and the mid-cycle refresh, which includes restyled rims and side blinkers, as well as a few interior tweaks. I test drove a Civic (too boring), a Focus (too many recalls), and an Elantra GT (???) before ultimately deciding to go back to the Protege ES. It just feels more solid and doesn't give you that small economy sedan vibe.
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Vehicle year: 1994
I love this story! You got this car when you were 16 and drove it for 6 years. It had about 160k on it, but you drove it another 40k without any major issues. You only had to replace the starter once, and with regular maintenance, it was incredibly reliable. The passenger room was decent, and you even put your own speakers in. The paint never really faded, which is impressive. You paid under 1500 for it and got a solid 6 years of driving. That's an amazing deal!
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Vehicle year: 1999
This is truly a great car. I purchased my 99 Mazda Protege used in March and I absolutely love it. Although I had to have the Catalytic converter changed on the car at 30,000 miles due to the previous owners using it only in the winter, I have not run across any other problems. The Mazda Protege is definitely worth considering.
Are you having problems with your Mazda Protege?
Jarod Cormier 2024-11-23
Vehicle year: 1997
I've owned this car for only 9 months and unfortunately, I've had to replace the oxygen sensors, exhaust manifold, and catalytic converter, which were all quite expensive. Additionally, I've experienced an issue with the accelerator pulling from my foot and sucking down to the floor twice, which was quite scary on the freeway. The mechanics suspect it may be related to the cruise control, but they're still investigating. Lastly, there's been a persistent squeaking sound from the front right that no one has been able to identify or fix. Overall, it's been a bit of a hassle, but I'm hopeful that we can get everything sorted out soon.
Santa Daugherty 2024-11-15
Vehicle year: 1995
Hi there! I bought this car 10 years ago when it was 2 years old and had 30K miles on it. While it has served me well, I have had some issues with it over the years. I've had to replace the exhaust system six times, and the cloth seats have ripped apart from the leather backing. Additionally, the brake cylinders fail inspection every year, and changing the oil can be a bit of a hassle. I've also had to replace the cv joints three times. Lastly, I've noticed that the headlights are quite dim, even when newly replaced. Despite these challenges, I'm grateful for the time I've had with this car, but I'm now looking forward to finding a new one that better suits my needs. Thanks for listening!
Emilio Bins 2024-11-09
Vehicle year: 1997
We bought this car with the intention of driving it until the wheels fall off. We've only had to put a few dollars into it for things like brakes and the emission system, but it still runs great and gets an impressive 31 MPG around town. While it may not be the best choice for long family trips, it suits our needs perfectly and at a low cost.
Harry Stehr 2024-11-06
Vehicle year: 1996
I bought the car two years ago from a friend. It was great at first, but after two months, a lot of problems started to arise. It runs poorly when going uphill and needs more power. The brakes also run badly, and I had to fix the engine just one year after purchasing it. If you're considering a Mazda Protege, I would suggest looking into other cars like Honda for more reliability.
Dane Hoeger 2024-10-29
Vehicle year: 2000
This was my first new car. Although I regret the purchase, I learned a lot from the experience. In hindsight, I should have gotten a Corolla, but I appreciate the lessons I learned from this car. The gas mileage is not great for a small 1.6L auto, but it has been reliable and has never broken down on me. I did have the rad replaced twice under warranty, but I appreciate the manufacturer's commitment to customer satisfaction. At 3 years, I noticed rust on the bottom front passenger side door, and now I have rust inside both rear wheel wells due to the harsh winters where I live. Unfortunately, the AC no longer works and never blew very cold, but I still appreciate the car's interior and trunk space. The CD player is extremely finicky, sometimes it plays and sometimes not, but I think it might be related to temperature and humidity. The volume goes up when turning it down, and some dash lights in the tach are blown, but overall, I still appreciate the car's reliability.