1996 Mazda Protege Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 9%of 70 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the seat belts of the 1996 Mazda Protege, 9% of the 70 complaints for this model year. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Consumer was locked in driver seat because seat belt would not unlatch. Consumer had to cut herself out. Notified dealer, repairs were covered under extended warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #862473, filed 2000-05“Abs: when applied, brake pedal went to floor, vehicle rearended another vehicle, airbags did not deploy. Dealer replaced rotors/pads. Also, shoulder/lap belts did not hold occupants. Please provide VIN.”
NHTSA complaint #817495, filed 1997-10“Upon impact, during frontal crash, hit telephone pole, 2:00 on front bumper, driver's shoulder harness failed to retract enough, causing him to hit steering wheel.”
NHTSA complaint #809125, filed 1997-02Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 17 | 14% |
| 2002 | 20 | 20% |
| 2001 | 3 | 6% |
| 2000 | 8 | 8% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 3 | 7% |
| 1997 | 6 | 9% |
| 1996 | 6 | 9% |
| 1995 | 13 | 8% |
| 1994 | 37 | 50% |
| 1993 | 23 | 52% |
| 1992 | 34 | 54% |
| 1991 | 27 | 53% |
| 1990 | 21 | 57% |
Other parts of the 1996 Mazda Protege
24 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsEquipment
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