1993 Mazda Protege Problems
- Complaints
- 44filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 183,000miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 24 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 29 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1993 Mazda Protege (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 44 consumer complaints for the 1993 Mazda Protege. The part named most often is seat belts, with 23 complaints (52% of the total), followed by brakes (5) and engine cooling (4). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 183,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 7 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts23 52%
- Brakes5 11%
- Engine cooling4 9.1%
- Fuel system4 9.1%
- Electrical system3 6.8%
- Exterior lighting1 2.3%
Also reported: Seats (1), Body and structure (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Seat belts: “The seatbelt does not run along the track. I have fixed it once and the owner before me also had it fixed when it was recalled and it is now broken for a third time. I don't think that if it was fixed correctly the first time I would still be having problems with it.”
NHTSA complaint #741603, filed 2001-02Brakes: “Very first time brakes are applied to stop vehicle and the weather is cold, brakes fail to engage, and consumer has to pump brakes for them to work. Dealership stated that there was condensation in check ball that would freeze, preventing proper function of brake system. Please provide any additional information/attachments.”
NHTSA complaint #889407, filed 2001-05Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 129,000 and 237,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1993 Mazda Protege. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protege · sedan | not rated | 3 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1993 Mazda Protege version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protege FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 24 | 33 | 27 | $2,500 |
| Protege FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Protege FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Protege FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 15V674000Oct 19, 2015Electrical system › Ignition › SwitchCovers: Mazda Protege 1990–1998, MPV 1989–1998, 626 1993–1998 +4 more
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…
Recall details for the 1993 Mazda Protege → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE94059Auto restraint system failClosed · Jul 28, 1994
- PE94029Cruise control malfunctionClosed · Mar 24, 1994
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 7 on record; the latest 7 are shown.
- 10154879Mar 20, 2019Engine cooling, Equipment, Fuel system. In support of the new MRT distribution, Mazda will ship to dealers a new Dual Purpose Diagnostic Leak Detector beginning March, 2019. Training videos will be posted to MGSS shortly and Workshop…
- 10153339Jan 14, 2019Electrical system. In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State…
- 10148072Oct 10, 2018Vehicle speed control, Equipment. In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State…
- 10144333Aug 31, 2018Vehicle speed control. In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State…
- 10118467Aug 7, 2017Equipment, Electrical system. In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State…
- 10213425Feb 17, 2016Electrical system. Speedometer replacement procedure
- 10098367Aug 15, 2014Equipment. In accordance with federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer.note:mazda vehicles are manufactured with tamper-proof speedometers.when a speedometer is…
Other model years of the Mazda Protege
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 120 | 67,000 | 0 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 98 | 61,000 | 0 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 50 | 45,500 | 1 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 102 | 45,000 | 1 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 88 | 64,065 | 1 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 46 | 82,100 | 1 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 66 | 99,000 | 1 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 70 | 42,000 | 1 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 165 | 79,000 | 4 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 74 | 95,000 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 44 | 183,000 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 63 | 92,000 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 51 | 153,256 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 37 | 167,125 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Mazda Protege model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1993 Mazda Protege have?
NHTSA recorded 44 consumer complaints for the 1993 Mazda Protege as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1993 Mazda Protege is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 23 complaints (52% of the total), followed by brakes with 5.
Has the 1993 Mazda Protege been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1993 Mazda Protege get?
The EPA rates the 1993 Mazda Protege (Protege, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1993 Mazda Protege reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 183,000 miles and the middle half falls between 129,000 and 237,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.