1995 Mazda Protege problems
Owners have filed 232 complaints about the 1995 Mazda Protege with NHTSA. Air bags account for 21.6% of them — the clear leader, ahead of exterior lighting at 12.1%.
Complaints232
Crashes42
Fires5
Injuries79
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Air bags 21.6% · 50
Exterior lighting 12.1% · 28
Power train 9.5% · 22
Engine and engine cooling 9.5% · 22
Electrical system 6.5% · 15
Seat belts 6.0% · 14
Service brakes, hydraulic 5.6% · 13
Seats 5.2% · 12
Severity
Of those complaints, 42 describe a crash, 5 describe a fire, 79 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 6 model years of the Mazda Protege in this data, 1995 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 14 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 70,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Consumer was traveling about 10mph on the road and slowed down because there was a deep dip inside of the road ahead, and both driver's/passenger's airbags came out. It sounded like a gun shot. Consumer was concerned as to why the airbags deployed at this slow speed. Certainly, there was no contact with another vehicle. Both driver/passenger sustained bodily injuries. *Ak Air bags
Consumer was hit from rear with great force about 45-50 mph, causing the consumer to hit the vehicle in front and pushed 3 others into one another. Accident caused split bumper/great radiator damage/airbags did not deploy,severed. Consumer sustained whipblash and back injuries. Seat belts were also worn. Air bags
The consumer was in the right turn lane ready to merge into traffic when the car was hit from behind at such a great force, , causing the consumer's car to hit the car in front of her. Airbags did not deploy, driver and passenger to hit the windshield head first. Seat belts were not worn at this time. Air bags
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…