Avoid: No year grades F. Weakest: 2003
Best: 2001
4 model years of NHTSA owner complaints and recalls · How we grade
Across 8 model years, the Mazda Protege has 674 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 25 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and air bags. 2003 drew the most complaints (121), 1998 the fewest (47).
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for Mazda Protege vehicles (US, public record).
Complaint volume by model year. Raw NHTSA totals, not adjusted for sales volume or time on the road, so older and higher-selling years accumulate more. Every year links to its full breakdown.
Highest: 2003 (121 complaints). Lowest: 1998 (47).
Overwhelmingly positive sentiment regarding long-term reliability, durability, and driving enjoyment.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Protege. Individual model years are broken down above.
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