What are the worst Mazda Protege years?

Based on NHTSA owner complaints per year on the road, the worst Mazda Protege years are 1995, 2003 - complaint rates far above this model's median.

Mazda Protege: best and worst years

Every model year, ranked by owner complaints reported to NHTSA relative to time on the road. Click a year for its problems, recalls and trouble codes.

Years to avoid: 1995, 2003

Complaint rates far above this model's median, even after adjusting for time on the road.

2003worst year120 complaints · 4 recalls 200298 complaints · 4 recalls 200150 complaints · 5 recalls 2000102 complaints · 3 recalls 199988 complaints · 3 recalls 199846 complaints · 2 recalls 199766 complaints · 2 recalls 199670 complaints · 2 recalls 1995worst year165 complaints · 5 recalls 199474 complaints · 1 recalls 199344 complaints · 1 recalls 199263 complaints · 1 recalls 199151 complaints · 1 recalls 199037 complaints · 1 recalls

Ranked by complaints per year on the road (age capped at 12 years), so older years do not lead just because they have been around longer. Years under 3 years old are not judged - they have not had time to show their problems. Rates are relative to this model only and are not adjusted for sales volume.