MYRModel Year Report

1991 Mazda Protege

● Typical for this model
1991 Mazda Protege
RENDERED 2026-09-16T17:50:00.237Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mazda Protege Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1991 highlighted. 1989: 2 complaints 1989 1990: 38 complaints 1991: 51 complaints 1991 1992: 63 complaints 1992 1993: 48 complaints 1994: 75 complaints 1995: 165 complaints 1995 1996: 70 complaints 1997: 66 complaints 1998: 46 complaints 1998 1999: 88 complaints 2000: 102 complaints 2001: 50 complaints 2001 2002: 98 complaints 2003: 120 complaints 2004: 0 complaints 2004 2005: 0 complaints 2006: 0 complaints 2006
1991: 51 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19892
199038
199151
199263
199348
199475
1995165
199670
199766
199846
199988
2000102
200150
200298
2003120
20040
20050
20060

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SEAT BELTS 55%

55% of complaints: seat belts — 28 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing retractor and anchorage.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 MAZDA PROTEGE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160108

Also filed under AIR BAGS

DRIVING VEHICLE, ANOTHER VEHICLE DROVE OUT OF PARKING LOT & ORIGINAL VEHICLE HIT THE DRIVER'S SIDE, SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960715

SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURY. *SD

NHTSA ODI report, 19960624

STRUCTURE 14%

14% of complaints: structure — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing trunk lid and hinge and attachments.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE'S HOOD DETACHED RESULTING IN THE HOOD HITTING THE WINDSHIELD.*MR *CB *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20040105

POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and floor shift assembly.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers and ignition.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1991 MAZDA PROTEGE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO FLAMES VISIBLE AND NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160627

SERVICE BRAKES 6%

6% of complaints: service brakes — 3 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19940728 — PE (closed 19941130)

AUTO RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAIL

I 19941130 — EA (closed 19971126)

AUTO RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAIL

R 20151217 — 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 1993-1998 626 vehicles.

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.

Campaign 15V674000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1991 Mazda Protege — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (28 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (4 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 15V674000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1990 ▲ 1998 ● 1993

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ◆ 2003 ◆ 2000

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1991 Mazda Protege reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1991 Mazda Protege is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1991 Mazda Protege?

The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 55% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1991 Mazda Protege have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.