Is the Mazda Protege Reliable?
1993–2003 reliability analysis based on NHTSA safety recalls and owner complaints.
Reliability Score
Own a Mazda Protege? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Mazda Protege Reliability by Year
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 | 62 | 7 | 3 | 33 | Poor |
| 2002 | 2 | 68 | 12 | — | 54 | Fair |
| 2001 | 2 | 29 | 6 | — | 58 | Fair |
| 2000 | 1 | 65 | 18 | — | 56 | Fair |
| 1999 | 1 | 59 | 11 | — | 60 | Fair |
| 1998 | 1 | 29 | — | — | 66 | Good |
| 1997 | 1 | 66 | 8 | — | 61 | Fair |
| 1996 | 1 | 43 | 22 | — | 55 | Fair |
| 1995 | 4 | 134 | 36 | 1 | 32 | Poor |
| 1994 | 0 | 57 | 3 | — | 69 | Good |
Reliability scores are proprietary to VinCheckEngine and incorporate multiple weighted safety signals.
How the Protege Compares to Similar Vehicles
The Protege scores 18 points below the average sedan. Consider checking years with lower complaint volumes.
Known Mazda Protege Reliability Issues
The following components appear most frequently in owner complaints filed with NHTSA:
Based on 612 owner complaints across recent model years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Mazda Protege reliable?+
The Mazda Protege scores 54/100 on our reliability index — rated "Fair." Across 10 recently analyzed model years, it accumulated 15 recall campaigns and 612 owner complaints in the NHTSA database.
What year Protege is most reliable?+
Among the years analyzed, the 2001 Protege achieved the highest reliability score of 58/100 with 2 recalls and 29 complaints.
How many miles does a Protege last?+
With consistent maintenance, most Mazda Protege owners report 150,000 to 200,000+ miles of service life. Checking the VIN of any specific used Protege will reveal its actual mileage history and any title events.
More Mazda Protege Research
Check a Specific Mazda Protege VIN
Model-level reliability scores show general trends. A VIN-specific report reveals the exact history of any individual vehicle — accidents, odometer records, auction events, and open recalls.
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