The 1996 Mazda Protege has 2 safety recalls and 70 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (25 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints70filed by owners
Crashes · fires24 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths24 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
NHTSA recall 15V674000 · Oct 19, 2015 · 1,368,500 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009 · 16,270 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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 STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
1996 Mazda Protege 4-DR
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Protege
30mpg combined
City / highway
27 / 35 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,250/year to fuel
Protege
27mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 32 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel
Protege
25mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 30 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel
Protege
23mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Air bags Frontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module
25
21
0
17
—
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components
9
2
0
3
—
Power train Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl); Automatic transmission
8
1
0
0
—
Seat belts Front › Buckle assembly; Front › Retractor
7
3
0
3
—
Equipment Appliance › Air conditioner; Mechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift
6
0
0
4
—
Vehicle speed control
4
1
0
1
—
Visibility Rearview mirrors/devices › Interior; Defroster/defogger/hvac system
4
0
0
0
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Exhaust system › Emission control
4
0
0
0
—
Steering Steering wheel/handle bar; Linkages › Tie rod assembly
4
1
0
1
—
Suspension Front; Rear › Shock absorber
4
0
0
0
—
Seats Front assembly › Recliner
3
2
0
4
—
Electrical system Wiring; Ignition › Module
3
0
1
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jan 1, 1999 · 30,000 milesVehicle speed control I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE - THE MAZDA PROTG MENTIONED UNDER "SUBJECT" OF THIS E-MAIL - ACCELERATING WITHOUT THE GAS PEDAL BEING TOUCHED ON AT LEAST THREE OCCASIONS SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW IN THE FALL OF 1996. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXHIBITED INTENSE RUMBLING WHEN IN DRIVE AND WAITING AT IDLE AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. ON ONE OF SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ABOUT THE LATTER PROBLEM, A YOUNG ATTENDANT AT THE DEALER (MAZDA MAPLE SHADE IN MAPLE SHADE, NEW JERSEY) MENTIONED - APPARENTLY INADVERTENTLY - THAT THE RUMBLING WAS A "FACTORY DEFECT". I NEVER MENTIONED THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM SINCE I HAD ALWAYS MANAGED TO PUT ON THE BREAKS FIRMLY WHENEVER IT…
May 3, 2005Engine and engine cooling MY 1996 MAZDA PROTEGE LX (1.5 LITER ENGINE) SUFFERS FROM SUCH EXTREME ENGINE VIBRATION THAT THE CAR HAS RECENTLY BECOME PRACTICALLY UNDRIVEABLE DESPITE ITS LOW MILEAGE OF 83,000K AND A GOOD MAINTENANCE HISTORY. THE CAR SHAKES SEVERELY WHEN STARTING, JERKS SEVERELY WHEN SHIFTING GEARS AND IS SURGING ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLY AT VARIOUS TIMES. IT IS UNSAFE AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT ALL ENGINE MOUNTS MUST BE REPLACED AT THIS TIME. IN LOOKING AT THE VECHICLE HISTORY, THERE HAS BEEN MANUFACTURER SERVICE BULLETINS ABOUT EXCESSIVE ENGINE VIBRATION. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT CAUSES UNSAFE CONDITIONS AND UNDUE BURDEN AND EXPENSE TO CONSUMERS. THE ESTIMATE FUTURE EXPENSE…
Oct 12, 2004 · 84,000 miles · crash · 1 injuryAir bags CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHILE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, WHICH CAUSED A CHAIN REACTION WITH TWO OTHER VEHICLES. CONSUMER'S HEAD IMPACTED THE STEERING WHEEL , THE SEAT BACK, AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL AGAIN. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK
Oct 30, 2003Power train › Automatic transmission WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED THAT TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. AFTER BEING INSPECTED CONSUMER CONCLUDED THAT TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK
Jul 11, 2003 · 75,000 milesSteering › Hydraulic power assist system WHILE DRIVING CAR ON HIGHWAY AIR CONDITIONER SEIZED BREAKING BELT AND CAUSING ME TO LOSE POWER STEERING
Jul 2, 2003 · 42,000 miles · fireElectrical system › Wiring › Front underhood 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.
May 29, 2003Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl) I HAD DIFFICULTY MOVING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT LEVER WHEN THE CAR WAS ABOUT 1 YEAR OLD. THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR ON AND OFF OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS. I FINALLY HAD TO REPLACE THE PART WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER WAS STUCK WITH MY KEY STILL IN THE IGNITION ABOUT 2 OR 3 YEARS AGO. I CAN'T REMEMBER IF IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL/IGNITION OR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. NOW THE SAME PROBLEM IS HAPPENING AGAIN!
Feb 20, 2003 · 35,000 milesStructure › Body SERIOUS RUST PROBLEM DISCOVERED IN THE WINDSHIELD AREA OF CAR WHEN HAVING NEW WINDSHIELD INSTALLED. SEVERAL YEARS AGO, PROBABLY 1999, WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, I ATTEMPTED TO HAVE MAZDA REPAIR RUST THAT WAS APPEARING ON THE FRONT PILLARS BY THE WINDSHIELD. THEIR AREA REPRESENTATIVE REFUSED, SAYING THAT THE WARRANTY ONLY COVERED RUSTING THROUGH. NOW THIS HAS BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD, BECAUSE THE INTEGRITY OF THE NEW WINDSHIELD'S MOUNTING IS IN DOUBT.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.