Known Recalls

Model year record

1996 Mazda Protege

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 91 owner complaints on file.

Mazda Protege, 1995–1998 generation
Pictured: the 1995–1998 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V674000

Electrical system: ignition: switch

Component
Electrical system: ignition: switch
Manufacturer
Mazda North American Operations
Vehicles affected
1,368,500
Reported to NHTSA
2015-10-19
Owners notified
2015-12-17

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags: frontal18—
Air bags584,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip4—
Vehicle speed control430,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission3—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)3—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly3—
Seat belts: front: retractor3—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2—
Interior lighting2—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint2—
Seats: front assembly: recliner2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2—
Suspension: front2—
Unknown or other242,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1—
Air bags: side/window1—
Child seat: shield assembly1—
Child seat: tether: strap/webbing1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood142,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seats1—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system175,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Structure: body135,000 mi
Suspension1—
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1—
Tires1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior1—

The 1995 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Mazda Protege model years

200320022001200019991998199719961995199419931992199119901989

All Mazda Protege recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.