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
What owners actually said
165 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2002
Power TrainSuspension
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
NHTSA ODI #760019
Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2002
Exterior Lighting
THE CONSUMER RECIEVE A RECALL NOTICE #91007 FOR THE TURN SIGNAL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FREEWAY MADZA NO PARTS AVAILABLE. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NLM
NHTSA ODI #8006547
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2002
Electrical System
CONSUMER HAD NOTICED THAT WHEN TURNING ON HEATER OR AIR CONDITIONER AT NIGHT HEDLIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON, CONSUMER HAD CONTACTED DEALER ABOUT IT. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8003995
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2002
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING THEN STOPPING COULD FEEL HARD VIBRATION COMING FROM ENGINE. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUTIT COULD NOT BE CORRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8003991
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING COULD STEP ON THE BRAKES PEDAL TO STOP VEHICLE OR TO SLOW DOWN, BUT COULD EXPERIENCE AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND NOISE COMING FROM BRAKES, WICH HAD BEEN REPLACED BEFORE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8003990
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2002
Seats
THE FRONT SEAT CAME LOOSE AND WAS ROCKING CREATING THE SAFETY PROBLEM. IT REMAINED ATTACHED ON THE RIGHT SIDE BUT THE LEFT SIDE WAS LOOSE. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT TO CAUSE THE FAILURE OF THE SEAT . I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD SAID TO CONTACT MAZDA. I CONTACTED MAZDA AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE HAD OVER…
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THE FRONT SEAT CAME LOOSE AND WAS ROCKING CREATING THE SAFETY PROBLEM. IT REMAINED ATTACHED ON THE RIGHT SIDE BUT THE LEFT SIDE WAS LOOSE. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT TO CAUSE THE FAILURE OF THE SEAT . I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD SAID TO CONTACT MAZDA. I CONTACTED MAZDA AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE HAD OVER 100,000 MILES AND WERE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE COST TO MAKE THE SEAT SAFE AGAIN. I ASKED IF SAFETY HAD A MILEAGE LIMIT AND WAS TOLD NO BUT THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN FIXING THE SEAT. I THINK IT VIOLATES THE INTENT OF FMVSS 207 AND TOLD THEM SO.
NHTSA ODI #756298
Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE TURNED OFF. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. GARAGE MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT TIMING BELT FAILED BECAUSE IT JUMPED TIME. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDER, AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8000810
Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2001
Suspension
WHEN STARTINGVEHICLE OR STOPPING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT/ STOP SIGN, VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE SEVERELY. VEHICLE BEEN AT DEALER SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS AND AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #899670
Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2001
Suspension
VEHICLE VIBRATES SEVERELY AFTER STARTING/ SITTING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT AND STOP SIGN. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND THE PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. TOOK VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND STILL PROBLEM REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #899656
Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2001
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF FOR SOME TIME NOW. IT WOULD COME ON FOR A WHILE THEN GO OUT THEN COME ON AGAIN THEN GO OUT AGAIN. IN JULY OF THIS YEAR I TOOK THE CAR FOR A DIAGNOSIS BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON BUT THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A TUNEUP WHICH I GOT BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A WEE…
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I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF FOR SOME TIME NOW. IT WOULD COME ON FOR A WHILE THEN GO OUT THEN COME ON AGAIN THEN GO OUT AGAIN. IN JULY OF THIS YEAR I TOOK THE CAR FOR A DIAGNOSIS BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON BUT THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A TUNEUP WHICH I GOT BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A WEEK LATER. ALSO MY DASHBOARD LIGHT HAS BEEN GOING OUT AND COMING ON ALSO. IT STARTED BY GOING OUT WHEN I PUT MY SIGNALS ON TO TURN A CORNER IT WOULD GO OUT THEN COME BACK ON NOW IT GOES OUT AND SOMETIMES IT WONT COME ON AT ALL. I NOTICED IF I PUSHED THE LIGHT CONTROL SWITCH IN AND HOLD IT THATS THE ONLY TIME IT WILL STAY ON AS SOON AS I LET IT GO IT GOES OUT. THEN NOW MY TAILLIGHTS ARE OUT AND I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND THEY LOOK AT THE FUSES AND TRY TO SEE WHY I DONT HAVE ANY LIGHTS BACK THERE AND THEY SAID THEY COULDNT SEE WHY THE LIGHTS WERE OUT. THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE WHOLE THING APART TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR SO THATS WHEN I CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THERE IS SOME ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE OR SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. I ALSO SEE THEY HAD A RECALL ON THE CAR A YEAR AGO WHICH I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT. *AK
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.
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.
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
2
EA99029 · 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.
1995 Mazda Protege Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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