FaultScore report
Owners have filed 72 complaints about the 1992 Mazda Protege with NHTSA between 1995 and 2016. The largest single group is the seat belts.
72
Complaints
6
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 92,000 miles
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 10,000 mi
3 crashes, 0 fires
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
| Configuration | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 Mazda Protege 4-DR | — | — | — | — |
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
AUTO RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAIL
AUTO RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAIL
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
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.
Risk: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Electrical
On certain vehicles, a defect in the ignition switch could cause an electrical short to develop over time. This could result in smoke and/or fire, increasing the risk of injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
Seats And Restraints
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S 210.1 - TETHER ANCHORAGES FOR CHILD RESTRAINTS. INCORRECT INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS IN OWNER'S MANUAL. CORRECTION: REVISED PAGES FOR OWNER'S MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INCORRECTLY INSTALLED TETHER ANCHORAGES WILL BE CORRECTED IF NEEDED.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING, ROAD DEBRIS RUPTURED THE VEHICLE FUEL TANK WHICH RESULTED ON A FIRE ON THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS SEVERELY BURNED ABOUT 30 PERCENT OF HER BODY.
NHTSA complaint #10071927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
BOTH FRONT SEATBACKS COLLAPSED AFTER BEING HIT FROM THE REAR AT A COMPLETE STOP. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #807168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVING VEHICLE AT LOW SPEED OF 5-10 MPH, IMPACT 6:00 POSITION, FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT WENT PARTIALLY INCLINE POSITION, CAUSING SEAT BACK FAILURE. TT
NHTSA complaint #964859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT COMES IN INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #964859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
REAR ENDED AND BACK OF DRIVER SEAT COLLAPSED. TT
NHTSA complaint #964135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED DURING A REAR END COLLISION. TT
NHTSA complaint #964128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
LETTER FROM SENATOR GILLIBRAND ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 1992 MAZDA PROTEGE. *SMD THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR AN IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT HE PAID FOR OUT-OF-POCKET.
NHTSA complaint #10860775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MAZDA PROTEGE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000.
NHTSA complaint #10807462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
1. AUTOMATIC/PASSIVE RESTRAINT BELT FOR DRIVERS SIDE HAD BEEN ACTING SLUGGISH E.G. BELT WOULD HESITATE WHEN OPENING/CLOSING DOOR BEFORE MOVING TO FULL OPEN/CLOSED POSITION. 2. BELT IS STUCK/FROZEN IN MIDWAY POSITION OF DOOR. DRIVER HAS NO ADEQUATE SHOULDER RESTRAINT IN EVENT OF COLLISION. 3. CONTACTED MAZDA MANUFACTURE BUT THEY STATE CAR VIN IS NOT IN U.S. DATABASE. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V211000 THAT IDENTIFIES A PROBLEM WITH MAZDA VEHICLES 323 AND MX3 THAT USE THE IDENTICAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM. MY CAR WAS BUILT IN JAPAN, SHIPPED TO EUROPE AND PURCHASED NEW IN MONTHS, BELGIUM AS U.S. SPEC VEHICLE. THIS PUTS MY CAR IN A LIMBO STATUS OF IT IS A U.S. SPEC CAR BUT WAS SOLD IN EUROPE AND ISN'T COVERED BY A U.S. ONLY RECALL. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT IF CAR MANUFACTURERS ARE SELLING VEHICLES OVERSEAS TO U.S. MILITARY MEMBERS WHO BRING THE CARS BACK TO THE STATES THEN THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED COVER THOSE VINS AS WELL FOR SAFETY RECALLS ETC.
NHTSA complaint #10156549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING, ROAD DEBRIS RUPTURED THE VEHICLE FUEL TANK WHICH RESULTED ON A FIRE ON THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS SEVERELY BURNED ABOUT 30 PERCENT OF HER BODY.
NHTSA complaint #10071927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RETRACTOR BROKE. THE CABLE HAS COME COMPLETELY OFF THE TRACK. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT IS INOPERABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10047401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN DRIVING AT 25 MPH VEICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #10044943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RETRACTOR BROKE, IT CAME COMPLETELY OFF THE TRACK. SEAT BELT IS INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10033534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
CABLE THAT MOVES SHOULDER RESTRAINT BACK AND FORTH CAME OUT OF ITS TRACK CREATING A NOOSE ACROSS THE WINDOW SHOULDER BELT IS NOW INOPERABLE
NHTSA complaint #10020687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
FRONT DRIVER SHOULDER RESTRAIN IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10021861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM ON DRIVER'S SIDE IS DISABLED IN FORWARD POSITION, LAYING ACROSS STEERING WHEEL. MAZDA CLAIMS NO RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE BELT HAS FAILED IN FORWARD POSITION. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8012224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
AUTOMATIC SHOULDER SEAT BELT FAILURE .
NHTSA complaint #759127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
RAIL OF AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT HAS WORN OUT SUFFICIENTLY, CAUSING CABLE, WHICH RETRACTS THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, TO JAM IN RAIL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #894990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MAIN BEARINGS ON CRANK BLEW, EVEN THOUGH CAR HAS ONLY 65000 MILES OIL IS CHANGED EVERY 4 MONTHS OR 3000 WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. NO WARNING THAT ANY PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. CAR IN TRAFFIC ENGINE STARTED TO WEV HIGH,WHEN THIS HAPPENED I PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD CAR OVERHEATED WAS TOWED OFF HIGHWAY IN NEW JERSEY. WAS BROGHT BACK TO CT ON FLAT BED. SAME MECHANIC ON CAR SINCE BEGINING.
NHTSA complaint #749419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT WOULD JAM IN THE MIDDLE OF TRACK AND REMAIN IN THAT POSITION, LEAVING THE OCCUPANT WITHOUT ANY RESTRAINT. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND UNWILLING TO ASSIST,. STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY, AND NOT COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #891359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #743547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
HORN SOUNDS SPONTANIOUSLY. PEDESTRIANS WERE FRIGHTENED. WHILE WE WERE AT THE MOVIES (CAST AWAY) THE HORN WENT OFF WHILE WE WERE WATCHING THE MOVIE AND WE DIDN'T KNOW IT UNTIL WE GOT BACK TO THE PARKING LOT, WHICH WAS ALMOST WMPTY EXCEPT FOR US, THE MOVIE WAS CLOSINF, AND THW HORN WAS BARELY BLOWING. LUCKY FOR US THE CAR STARTED BUT DIDN'T THE NEXT MORNING AND I HAD TO CATCH THE BUS IN THE SNOW.
NHTSA complaint #738728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
FUNNY NOISE IN BRAKES, DEALER CLAIMS NOTHING WRONG, CONSUMER WAS BACKING CAR WHEN BOTH THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL GOT STUCK, CAUSING A CRASH. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #555444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
FUNNY NOISE IN BRAKES, DEALER CLAIMS NOTHING WRONG, CONSUMER WAS BACKING CAR WHEN BOTH THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL GOT STUCK, CAUSING A CRASH. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #555444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
SEATBELTS INDICATOR LIGHT ON DASH WILL GO OFF AND BEEP WHILE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION, CAUSING A DISTRACTION . PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #867693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
FRONT SEAT BELTS ARE MOTOR DRIVEN AND DO NOT WORK AND NEED TO BE RECALLED
NHTSA complaint #9001646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT ANOTHER CAR WAS IN FRONT OF CONSUMER. VEHICLE STARTED RACING AND LAUNCHED FORWARD WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKES. CONTACTED LOCAL MECHANIC WHO FIXED THE PROBLEM. BUT, IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON 7 JUNE, 2 000. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC, AND MECHANIC CLEANED OUT THE CABLES AND THROTTLE.
NHTSA complaint #863251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
DIFFERENTIAL UNIT IN THE F-4 TRANSMISSIONS GO OUT IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE COUNTRY. DEALER CONTACTED, AND THEY CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #832715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION SEATBELT LIGHT WILL COME ON, ALERTING DRIVER THAT SEATBELTS ARE NOT ON CORRECTLY.CONSUMER HAS REPLACED SEATBELT ASSEMBLIES TWICE WITHIN 7 YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #852930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
VEHICLE CUTS OFF AND JERKS AND IDLES VERY LOW DUE TO THE FUEL FILTER FAILURE. MECHANIC CAN'T FIND A SOLUTION.
NHTSA complaint #850995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
INTERMITTENTLY THE RESTRAINT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON AND OFF. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #849534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.