NHTSA Complaint #710637 — 1992 MAZDA PROTEGE

THE PROBLEM BEGAN WITH SPORADIC LOSSES OF WIPER AND BLOWER FUNCTION. WE COULD BYPASS THE PROBLEM BY JIGGLING THE KEY WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING TO RESTORE POWER TO THE WIPERS AND BLOWER. SOON THIS DEFECT OCCURRED MOST TIMES THAT THE CAR WAS RUNNING. ON A RECENT OCCASION, THE STEERING COLUMN STARTED TO SMOKE WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS ON. WE HAVE NOT USED THE CAR SINCE. THESE DEFECTS ARE SERIOUS IN WISCONSIN WHERE WEATHER CONDITIONS REQUIRE A WORKING HEATER AND WIPERS. WE WERE WONDERING IF THERE EVER WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. OUR LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT VERY HELPFUL. WE FEEL THAT THE UNEXPECTED LOSS OF WIPERS OR DEFROSTER REPRESENTS A DANGEROUS SITUATION, NOT TO MENTION THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE STARTING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THANK YOU.