Mazda Protege years to avoid
The Mazda Protege years to avoid are 1995, 2003, 2002, 2000 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2006 is the cleanest year on record.
1,377
Total complaints
11
Recall campaigns
1989–2006
Years covered
4
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Protege years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | High complaint rate | 232 | |
| 2003 | High complaint rate | 145 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 133 | |
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 126 |
Every Protege year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2005 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2004 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2003avoid | 145 | 4 | |
| 2002avoid | 133 | 4 | |
| 2001 | 68 | 5 | |
| 2000avoid | 126 | 3 | |
| 1999 | 102 | 3 | |
| 1998 | 53 | 2 | |
| 1997 | 103 | 2 | |
| 1996 | 91 | 2 | |
| 1995avoid | 232 | 5 | |
| 1994 | 89 | 1 | |
| 1993 | 56 | 1 | |
| 1992 | 72 | 1 | |
| 1991 | 60 | 1 | |
| 1990 | 45 | 1 | |
| 1989 | 2 | 0 |
Common questions
What are the worst Mazda Protege years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Protege years to avoid are 1995, 2003, 2002, 2000. The cleanest year on record is 2006.
What is the best year for the Mazda Protege?
By complaint volume, 2006 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Protege years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Mazda Protege have?
Across all model years, the Protege has 11 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,377 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.