MYRModel Year Report

Mazda Protege — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

1 model year to avoid, 4 to watch and 2 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid1 year

Caution4 years

Best bets2 years

Complaint history

1989: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1989 1990: 38 complaints, Recommended 1991: 51 complaints, Recommended 1992: 63 complaints, Recommended 1992 1993: 48 complaints, Recommended 1994: 75 complaints, Recommended 1995: 165 complaints, Avoid 1995 1996: 70 complaints, Recommended 1997: 66 complaints, Recommended 1998: 46 complaints, Recommended 1998 1999: 88 complaints, Caution 2000: 102 complaints, Caution 2001: 50 complaints, Recommended 2001 2002: 98 complaints, Caution 2003: 120 complaints, Caution 2004: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2004 2005: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2006: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1995 · 165
1989: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1989 1990: 38 complaints, Recommended 1991: 51 complaints, Recommended 1991 1992: 63 complaints, Recommended 1993: 48 complaints, Recommended 1993 1994: 75 complaints, Recommended 1995: 165 complaints, Avoid 1995 1996: 70 complaints, Recommended 1997: 66 complaints, Recommended 1997 1998: 46 complaints, Recommended 1999: 88 complaints, Caution 1999 2000: 102 complaints, Caution 2001: 50 complaints, Recommended 2001 2002: 98 complaints, Caution 2003: 120 complaints, Caution 2003 2004: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2005: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2005 2006: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1995 · 165
1989: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1989 1990: 38 complaints, Recommended 1990 1991: 51 complaints, Recommended 1991 1992: 63 complaints, Recommended 1992 1993: 48 complaints, Recommended 1993 1994: 75 complaints, Recommended 1994 1995: 165 complaints, Avoid 1995 1996: 70 complaints, Recommended 1996 1997: 66 complaints, Recommended 1997 1998: 46 complaints, Recommended 1998 1999: 88 complaints, Caution 1999 2000: 102 complaints, Caution 2000 2001: 50 complaints, Recommended 2001 2002: 98 complaints, Caution 2002 2003: 120 complaints, Caution 2003 2004: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2004 2005: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2005 2006: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2006 1995 · 165
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2006 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2005 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2004 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2003 ◆ Caution 120 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2002 ◆ Caution 98 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2001 ● Recommended 50 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2000 ◆ Caution 102 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1999 ◆ Caution 88 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1998 ▲ Recommended 46 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1997 ● Recommended 66 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1996 ● Recommended 70 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1995 ■ Avoid 165 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1994 ● Recommended 75 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1993 ● Recommended 48 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1992 ● Recommended 63 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1991 ● Recommended 51 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1990 ▲ Recommended 38 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1989 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

11

recalls on file across every Mazda Protege model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other Mazda models