1996 Mazda Protege Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 34%of 70 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Mazda Protege, 34% of the 70 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,000 miles. 20 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Consumer's vehicle was rear ended while stopping at a traffic light, which caused a chain reaction with two other vehicles. Consumer's head impacted the steering wheel , the seat back, and then the steering wheel again. Upon impact, air bags failed to deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10099934, filed 2004-11, 84,000 miles“Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision in which driver's air bag did not deploy, cause unknown, it has not been determined if vehicle was equipped with a passenger air bag. Please give any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #892916, filed 2001-07“While driving experienced suddenly cv joint failure when it broke in steering column, causing loss of steering control, hit telephone pole; also, upon impact dual airbags failed to deploy, 2:00 on front bumper, driver's seat shoulder harness failed to retract enough.”
NHTSA complaint #809121, filed 1997-02“While driving on a two-lane highway travelling 45mph, and 2 cars ahead, another vehicle was making sudden a turn, consumer slammed on brakes, and rear ended vehicle in front. Upon impact, neither airbag deployed.”
NHTSA complaint #862392, filed 2000-05“In arear end collision with another truck neither air bag deployed. Dealer and manufacturer were not notified at this time. Feel free to provide any further information.”
NHTSA complaint #8014641, filed 2002-07Related service bulletins
- 10021000Oct 4, 2006Non genuine accessories affect air bag operation.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 10 | 8% |
| 2002 | 9 | 9% |
| 2001 | 11 | 22% |
| 2000 | 25 | 25% |
| 1999 | 21 | 24% |
| 1998 | 3 | 7% |
| 1997 | 12 | 18% |
| 1996 | 24 | 34% |
| 1995 | 41 | 25% |
| 1994 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 2% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1996 Mazda Protege
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsEquipment
6 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Mazda Protege
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology