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1995 Mazda Protege

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The Verdict

Worst problem area

Airbags & Restraints

Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 50 of 165 complaints (30%) mention it.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 3 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category199519961997vs. 1995 Compact Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)2,100–2,8502,100–2,7002,150–2,700
Combined MPG22–3023–3023–29
City / Highway MPG20–26 / 26–3520–27 / 27–3520–26 / 27–33
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)296–404296–386306–386
Complaints filed1657066Not compared
Recalls issued522Not compared
Crash-involved complaints312415Not compared
Fire-involved complaints412Not compared
Injuries reported582414Not compared
Deaths reported100Not compared
Configurations compared644

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 1995 Mazda Protege have?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 1995 Mazda Protege?

Airbags & Restraints: 50 of 165 NHTSA complaints (30%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 1995 Mazda Protege get?

EPA rates it 22–30 MPG combined across 6 configurations.

How much does it cost to fuel a 1995 Mazda Protege?

EPA estimates $2,100–$2,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

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EPA-Rated Configurations (6)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 4-spd41.5LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars23 mpg32 mpg26 mpg$2,400342 g/mi
Configuration 2Manual 5-spd41.5LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars26 mpg (high)35 mpg (high)30 mpg (high)$2,100 (low)296 g/mi (low)
Configuration 3Automatic 4-spd41.8LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars21 mpg29 mpg24 mpg$2,600370 g/mi
Configuration 4Automatic 4-spd41.8LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars20 mpg (low)26 mpg (low)22 mpg (low)$2,850 (high)404 g/mi (high)
Configuration 5Manual 5-spd41.8LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars24 mpg33 mpg27 mpg$2,300329 g/mi
Configuration 6Manual 5-spd41.8LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars23 mpg29 mpg25 mpg$2,500355 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine200010
Transmission & Drivetrain191010
Fuel System31020
Electrical160310
Brakes135080
Steering41010
Suspension, Wheels & Tires81010
Airbags & Restraints50251511
Driver Assistance & Speed Control71000
Body, Seats & Latches162020
Visibility & Lighting370030
Other100000

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (5)

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH · Campaign 15V674000 · Oct 19, 2015

    Defect: 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.

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

    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.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009

    Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

    Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH · Campaign 00V118000 · May 2, 2000

    Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHT LEAD WIRE RUNNING THROUGH THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER CAN FAIL AT THE SOLDERED CONNECTION TO THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.

    Consequence: THE FAILURE OF THE WIRE CONNECTION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

    Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.

  • AIR BAGS · Campaign 95V184000 · Oct 4, 1995

    Defect: THE TIE DOWN HOOKS CAN CAUSE UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS THAT CAN RESULT IN UNNECESSARY AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS.

    Consequence: INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN CAUSE INJURY TO THE OCCUPANTS AND INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

    Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE TIE DOWN HOOKS WITH MODIFIED TIE DOWN HOOKS.

  • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · Campaign 95V033000 · Feb 27, 1995

    Defect: THE WIRE ROD USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE ENGINE VALVE SPRINGS CAN DEVELOP MINUTE CRACKS CAUSING BREAKAGE OF THE SPRINGS.

    Consequence: THIS BREAKAGE CAN CAUSE ENGINE CHATTER, DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE PISTONS, AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.

    Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL SIXTEEN (16) VALVE SPRINGS IN THE ENGINE OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.