repaired · 2017 Q1
Ignition: switch
Risk. If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
1996 Mazda ProtegeProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 70 owner complaints about the 1996 Mazda Protege, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 15V-674 the manufacturer reports only 1% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 19, 2015. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1996 Mazda Protege has problems
70 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
24Air bags21 crash/fire/injury
9Service brakes, hydraulic2 crash/fire/injury
8Power train1 crash/fire/injury
6Seat belts4 crash/fire/injury
6Equipment1 crash/fire/injury
4Vehicle speed control
4Suspension
4Engine and engine cooling
4Steering
179 other systems3 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 24 | 21 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 9 | 2 |
| Power train | 8 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 6 | 4 |
| Equipment | 6 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 1 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 1 |
| 9 other systems | 17 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
1996 Mazda Protege recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mazda.
Best & worst years
1996 vs. every other Protege year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Protege median. How we score
'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
1996 Mazda Protege safety ratings
1996 Mazda Protege 4-DR in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Protege owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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
IN AREAR END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER TRUCK NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSE UNKNOWN, IT HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED IF VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A PASSENGER AIR BAG. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Own a 1996 Protege?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.