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...
1989-2006 · 18 model years
Mazda Protege Problems by year
Owners have filed 858 complaints about the Mazda Protege across 18 model years, and it has 11 recalls. The 2000 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (102), while 1989 has far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the seats & seat belts, followed by the transmission & drivetrain.
- Complaints
- 858
- Recalls
- 11
- Crashes
- 148
- Fires
- 18
- Injuries
- 139
- Deaths
- 1
Protege complaints by model year
Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.
Most common Protege problems
Mazda Protege recalls 11
Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 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...
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...
Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108...
Certain alfaotto combination headlamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, Lamps...
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...
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some left side rear brake hoses were damaged during assembly. Brake fluid leakage could occur.
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...
Covers1999 Mazda Protege
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The headlight lead wire running through the turn signal lever can fail at the soldered connection to the headlight switch.
Covers1995 Mazda Protege
The tie down hooks can cause undercarriage impacts that can result in unnecessary air bag deployments.
Covers1995 Mazda Protege
The wire rod used in the manufacture of the engine valve springs can develop minute cracks causing breakage of the springs.
Covers1995 Mazda Protege
Latest Protege complaints
Straight-on, front-end collision occurred, that destroyed radiator and folded hood. Air bag did not deploy.
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.
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.
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
Today we got into an accident and the passenger airbag didn't come out until after my grandaughter's face hit the windsheild.
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.
Questions about the Mazda Protege
Which Mazda Protege years have the most problems?
Which Mazda Protege years have the fewest complaints?
What are the most common Mazda Protege problems?
Across every model year, owners report problems with the seats & seat belts (199), transmission & drivetrain (136), airbags (116) most often.
How many recalls does the Mazda Protege have?
NHTSA lists 11 recalls across all Mazda Protege model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data