Complaints by model year
Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the Mazda Protege, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years
Model years compared
Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.
Highest complaint totals
- 1995 Mazda Protege - 156 complaints in its first 8 years (165 to date)
- 2003 Mazda Protege - 98 complaints in its first 8 years (120 to date)
- 2000 Mazda Protege - 89 complaints in its first 8 years (102 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.
Lowest totals among mature years
- 1990 Mazda Protege - 25 complaints in its first 8 years (37 to date)
- 1993 Mazda Protege - 35 complaints in its first 8 years (44 to date)
- 1991 Mazda Protege - 37 complaints in its first 8 years (51 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.
What owners report, all years combined
Every model year
| Model year | Complaints to date | Within 8 years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Mazda Protege | 120 | 98 | 0 |
| 2002 Mazda Protege | 98 | 81 | 0 |
| 2001 Mazda Protege | 50 | 44 | 1 |
| 2000 Mazda Protege | 102 | 89 | 1 |
| 1999 Mazda Protege | 88 | 80 | 1 |
| 1998 Mazda Protege | 46 | 42 | 1 |
| 1997 Mazda Protege | 66 | 65 | 1 |
| 1996 Mazda Protege | 70 | 68 | 1 |
| 1995 Mazda Protege | 165 | 156 | 4 |
| 1994 Mazda Protege | 74 | 62 | 1 |
| 1993 Mazda Protege | 44 | 35 | 1 |
| 1992 Mazda Protege | 63 | 47 | 1 |
| 1991 Mazda Protege | 51 | 37 | 1 |
| 1990 Mazda Protege | 37 | 25 | 1 |
| 1989 Mazda Protege | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.
| Campaign | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15V674000 | 1990-1998 | Electrical System | 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... |
| 01V024000 | 2000-2001 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME LEFT SIDE REAR BRAKE HOSES WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY. BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR. |
| 00V301000 | 1999 | Equipment | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A PARTICULAR FACTORY INSTALLED AUDIO UNIT. |
| 00V118000 | 1995 | Exterior Lighting | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHT LEAD WIRE RUNNING THROUGH THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER CAN FAIL AT THE SOLDERED CONNECTION TO THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. |
| 95V184000 | 1995 | Air Bags | THE TIE DOWN HOOKS CAN CAUSE UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS THAT CAN RESULT IN UNNECESSARY AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS. |
| 95V033000 | 1995 | Engine And Engine Cooling | THE WIRE ROD USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE ENGINE VALVE SPRINGS CAN DEVELOP MINUTE CRACKS CAUSING BREAKAGE OF THE SPRINGS. |