The most-reported Protege run is JM1BA1415S0 (1995 builds) with 17 complaints, 7.4× the typical run. Seat belts problems make up 23% of reports; 1995 is the worst model year at 3.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for Protege model years 1990–2003.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Mazda Protege has 345 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 7% of every Protege complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JM1BA1415S0•••••• | 1995 | 6 | — | |
| JM1BA1417S0•••••• | 1995 | 4 | — | |
| JM1BA1411S0•••••• | 1995 | 2 | — | |
| JM1BB1410T0•••••• | 1996 | 6 | — | |
| JM1BA1414S0•••••• | 1995 | 1 | — | |
| JM1BA141XS0•••••• | 1995 | — | — | |
| JM1BA1418S0•••••• | 1995 | 5 | — | |
| JM1BC1415V0•••••• | 1997 | 1 | — | |
| JM1BJ2226X0•••••• | 1999 | 1 | — | |
| JM1BA1413S0•••••• | 1995 | 1 | 1 | |
| JM1BA1412S0•••••• | 1995 | 2 | — | |
| JM1BB1417T0•••••• | 1996 | — | — |
Each of the other 333 Protege runs has 7 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 15 Protege VINs so far, most often 2002, 2003, 2001 builds; 1 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Mazda Protege the gap between build years is 2.2×: a 1995 car draws 3.3 complaints per run, a 1993 one 1.5.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 93 | 51 | 14 | |
| 2002 | 74 | 35 | 7 | |
| 2001 | 38 | 23 | 10 | |
| 2000 | 68 | 25 | 15 | |
| 1999 | 63 | 22 | 14 | |
| 1998 | 36 | 13 | 7 | |
| 1997 | 47 | 16 | 12 | |
| 1996 | 52 | 22 | 18 | |
| 1995 | 124 | 38 | 25 | |
| 1994 | 58 | 25 | 6 | |
| 1993 | 32 | 21 | 1 | |
| 1992 | 39 | 23 | 3 | |
| 1991 | 35 | 19 | 3 | |
| 1990 | 28 | 16 | 2 |
Heaviest year here is 1995 at 3.3 complaints per run; lightest is 1993 at 1.5.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 23% of everything Mazda Protege owners report: Seat Belts, 158 of 787 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 23 | — | |
| Power Train | 5 | — | |
| Air Bags | 86 | 1 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 | 2 | |
| Service Brakes | 15 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 15 | — | |
| Electrical System | — | 7 | |
| Tires | 3 | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 11 recall campaigns on the Mazda Protege; the 6 below cover build years 1990 to 2003. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 09E012000 | Exterior Lighting | 1995–2003 |
| 15V674000 | Electrical System:ignition:switch | 1990–1998 |
| 09E025000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 2001–2003 |
| 06E038000 | Exterior Lighting | 2001–2003 |
| 06E064000 | Exterior Lighting | 2001–2003 |
| 01V024000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings | 2000–2001 |
The Protege against its rivals
The Protege draws 2.3 complaints per production run; the Infiniti G20 1.3 and the Kia Sephia 4.8.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda Protege | 787 | 345 | 17.4% | |
| Infiniti G20 | 70 | 54 | 14.3% | |
| Kia Sephia | 1,268 | 265 | 12.1% |
How serious were they
Of the 787 reports on the Mazda Protege, 17.4% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Mazda Protege | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 787 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 137 (17.4%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 16 (2%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 148 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 200% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Mazda Protege share of that is 787 complaints over 345 runs, 0.07% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Mazda Protege VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 787 NHTSA complaints from 345 Protege runs and 11 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Protege production run has the most complaints?
JM1BA1415S0, a 1995 build, with 17 complaints, 6 of them after a crash. The typical Protege run has 2.3.
Which Protege years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1995 is heaviest at 3.3 complaints per run and 1993 lightest at 1.5.
Does the Protege get more complaints than the Infiniti G20?
Yes: 2.3 complaints per production run for the Protege against 1.3 for the Infiniti G20.
How many Protege complaints involve a crash?
17.4% of 787 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 16 involved a fire.
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