Illustration1995 MAZDA PROTEGE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
1995 Mazda Protege
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Protege years
Owner complaints for the 1995 Mazda Protege are substantially higher than the model-year median of 66.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Protege years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 12 of 165 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
29 crash reports4 fire reports31 injury reports
Power Train complaints
19 reportsTRANSMISSION FAILED AT 60128 MILES. THIS OCCURRED WHILE I WAS PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH MADE IT A SAFETY ISSUE. LUCKILY THE VEHICLE THAT I WAS PASSING DECIDED TO SPEED UP SO THAT I COULD GET BACK INTO MY LANE BEFORE ANOTHER VEHICLE CAME ALONG WHICH WOULD HAVE ENDED UP IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. *NLM
WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT, THERE'S A HARD POPPING/CLUNKING NOISE. WE TOOK IT TO THE SHOP TWICE & THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. THE THIRD TIME WE HAD IT LOOKED AT WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE MIGHT BE A STRESS FRACTURE IN THE FRONT AXLE AND THAT THE CV BOOT/JOINT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. WE HAVE ALREADY R…
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WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT, THERE'S A HARD POPPING/CLUNKING NOISE. WE TOOK IT TO THE SHOP TWICE & THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. THE THIRD TIME WE HAD IT LOOKED AT WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE MIGHT BE A STRESS FRACTURE IN THE FRONT AXLE AND THAT THE CV BOOT/JOINT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. WE HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE CV BOOT/JOINT ONCE BEFORE AND REPLACED THE STRUTS ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR TWICE SINCE WE BOUGHT IT. WE ARE NOW HAVING TO REPLACE THE STRUTS AGAIN (ON THE ADVICE OF AN ASE MECHANIC) AND FIND OUT THAT THESE HAVE BEEN ON FACTORY BACKORDER FOR MONTHS (WHICH TELLS ME THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION ON THESE CARS). THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN ITS PRESENT CONDITION FOR FEAR THAT THE FRONT AXLE MAY SNAP AND CAUSE A SERIOUS FATAL ACCIDENT.*AK
VEHICLE WILL STALLS WHEN TURNING OR STOPPING. VEHICLE IDLES HIGH AND SHAKES. BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. DEALERSHIP AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK
TRANSMISSION IS JERKING WHEN WE ACCELERATE TROUGHT THE GEARS -ENGINE TROUBLE LIGHT CODE SAYS CLUTCH ASSEMBLY DEFECTIVE AS FOR HEADLIGHTS THE SWITCH WENT DEFECTIVE AND THE DEALER SAYS THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. *AK
THE FRONT RIGHT AND LEFT AXLE STARTED TO MAKE A GRINDING SOUND UPON GOING BUMPS SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN 1995. AS TIME WENT ON, THE GRINDING GOT WORSE MAKING LOUDER NOISES. WE TOLD THE DEALER AT FIRST ABOUT THE NOISE AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS JUST GETTING BROKEN IN. AS A RESULT, THE LEFT DRIVERS SIDE HAD TO BE REPLACED FIRS…
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THE FRONT RIGHT AND LEFT AXLE STARTED TO MAKE A GRINDING SOUND UPON GOING BUMPS SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN 1995. AS TIME WENT ON, THE GRINDING GOT WORSE MAKING LOUDER NOISES. WE TOLD THE DEALER AT FIRST ABOUT THE NOISE AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS JUST GETTING BROKEN IN. AS A RESULT, THE LEFT DRIVERS SIDE HAD TO BE REPLACED FIRST IN DECEMBER 2000, AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS JUST REPLACED IN FEB.2001 DUE TO LACKAGE OF FUNDS TO REPLACE BOTH SIDES AT THE SAME TIME. AS FAR AS I CAN SEE, WE COULD HAVE HAD A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF THIS WAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF BECAUSE IF WE WERE DRIVING AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED, THEY CULD HAVE BROKEN AND CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGE TO US AS WELL AS OTHER CARS. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPARED 2 YEARS AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR. *AK
WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH A RATTLING SOUND FROM THE FRONT END OF THE CAR AROUND THE BRAKES AND THE CV JOINTS. WE TOOK THE CAR TO A MAZDA DEALER WHO INFORMED US THE PROBLEM WAS THE LACK OF CALIPER PINS IN THE FRONT BRAKES. WE HAD THE DEALER INSTALL THESE NECESSARY PARTS (ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO) AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED…
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WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH A RATTLING SOUND FROM THE FRONT END OF THE CAR AROUND THE BRAKES AND THE CV JOINTS. WE TOOK THE CAR TO A MAZDA DEALER WHO INFORMED US THE PROBLEM WAS THE LACK OF CALIPER PINS IN THE FRONT BRAKES. WE HAD THE DEALER INSTALL THESE NECESSARY PARTS (ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO) AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO GO AWAY FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS. HOWEVER, NOW THE PROBLEM IS BACK. - WE WILL BE TAKING THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN BUT ARE VERY CONCERNED THIS COULD BE A STRUCTURAL SAFETY PROBLEM THAT COULD BE SERIOUS. BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR SEEM EQUALLY AFFECTED. *AK
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON MY MAZDA PROTEGE FAILED COMPLETELY AT 75,500 MILES. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE FRICTION CLUTCH HAD BEEN DISINTEGRATING FOR SOME TIME AND THAT THE DEBRIS HAD CAUSED THE FAILURE. EVEN AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT, PROBLEMS PERSIST. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEMS ARE A SAFETY CONCERN. ON ONE OC…
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THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON MY MAZDA PROTEGE FAILED COMPLETELY AT 75,500 MILES. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE FRICTION CLUTCH HAD BEEN DISINTEGRATING FOR SOME TIME AND THAT THE DEBRIS HAD CAUSED THE FAILURE. EVEN AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT, PROBLEMS PERSIST. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEMS ARE A SAFETY CONCERN. ON ONE OCCASION I WAS FORCED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP. AFTER THE VERY SUDDEN STOP, I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AWAY FROM THE IMMEDIATE SCENE, BUT THE AUTOMOBILE WOULD NOT MOVE. I HAD TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL AND BACK TO DRIVE IN ORDER TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM WITH MY TRANSMISSION. *AK
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED TIMING BELT FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL AND JERK.ALSO A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, AND CV JOINTS WERE REPLACED. *AK
POSSIBLE DESIGN FLAW OF TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN PREMATURE FAILURE AT 49,000 MILES. *YC
Official recalls
415V674000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch
Oct 19, 2015
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
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. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.
00V118000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
Apr 21, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHT LEAD WIRE RUNNING THROUGH THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER CAN FAIL AT THE SOLDERED CONNECTION TO THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE FAILURE OF THE WIRE CONNECTION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.
95V184000 · Air Bags
Oct 3, 1995
THE TIE DOWN HOOKS CAN CAUSE UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS THAT CAN RESULT IN UNNECESSARY AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN CAUSE INJURY TO THE OCCUPANTS AND INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE TIE DOWN HOOKS WITH MODIFIED TIE DOWN HOOKS.
95V033000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
Feb 21, 1995
THE WIRE ROD USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE ENGINE VALVE SPRINGS CAN DEVELOP MINUTE CRACKS CAUSING BREAKAGE OF THE SPRINGS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS BREAKAGE CAN CAUSE ENGINE CHATTER, DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE PISTONS, AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL SIXTEEN (16) VALVE SPRINGS IN THE ENGINE OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA99029 · Headlight Wire Breakage
Opened Sep 30, 1999 · Closed May 10, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
IN ITS LETTER DATED APRIL 21, 2000, MAZDA STATED THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF APPROXIMATELY 79,000 MODEL YEAR 1995 AND 1996 MAZDA PROTEGE VEHICLES BUILT FROM JUNE 1994 THROUGH JULY 1995.MAZDA DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ASSEMBLE
PE99038 · Loss Of Headlights
Opened May 20, 1999 · Closed Sep 30, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
BASED ON THE REVIEW OF MAZDA'S INVESTIGATION AND TESTING, EXAMINATION OF TWO FAILED FIELD UNITS (A HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND A COMBINATION SWITCH), AND TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS OF SEVERAL COMPLAINANTS, IT APPEARS THAT THE HEADLIGHT LEAD WIRE WHICH IS ATTACHED TO AND LOCATED JUST BELOW THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER, CAN BE STRESSED FROM CYCLING THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER AND RESULT IN FATIGUE BREAKAGE OF THE WIRE.COMPLAINTS STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF DURINGOPERATION IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1995 PROTEGE VEHICLES WHEN USING THE TURN SIGNAL AND/OR WHILE JUST DRIVING (E.G., GOING OVER A SMALL BUMP).SEVERAL COMPLAINANTS CONTACTED BY ODI STATED THAT SOMETIMES THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT COME BACK ON AFTER GOING OFF UNTIL THE DRIVER SUCCESSFULLY JIGGLED THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER OR THE HEADLIGHT WIRE HARNES (I.E., RE-MAKE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION OF A PARTIALLY BROKEN WIRE).PERMANENT LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS CAN OCCUR WHEN THE WIRE IS COMPLETELY BROKEN.IN JULY 1995, ABOUT THE START OF MY 1996 PRODUCTION, MAZDA CHANGED THE MATERIAL OF THE HEADLIGHT LEAD WIRE TO INCREASE DURABILITY.NO SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON MY 1996 PROTEGE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO ODI OR MAZDA.