MYRModel Year Report

1996 Mazda Protege

● Typical for this model
1996 Mazda Protege
RENDERED 2026-09-17T03:37:18.836Z

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, 1996 highlighted. 1989: 2 complaints 1989 1990: 38 complaints 1991: 51 complaints 1992: 63 complaints 1992 1993: 48 complaints 1994: 75 complaints 1995: 165 complaints 1995 1996: 70 complaints 1996 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
1996: 70 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.

AIR BAGS 34%

34% of complaints: air bags — 24 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20041115

FRONTAL COLLISION, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION , 23MPH, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19961023

SERVICE BRAKES 14%

14% of complaints: service brakes — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY
POWER TRAIN 11%

11% of complaints: power train — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gear position indication (prndl) and automatic transmission.

CRASH
SEAT BELTS 10%

10% of complaints: seat belts — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing retractor and buckle assembly.

CRASH INJURY
EQUIPMENT 9%

9% of complaints: equipment — 6 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing air conditioner and accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift.

INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

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

1996 Mazda Protege — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (24 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (10 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • 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 1996 Mazda Protege reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Mazda Protege is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Mazda Protege?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Mazda Protege have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

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