1993 Mazda Protege recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
What could happen: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1993 PROTEGE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mazda dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 15V674000 (manufacturer code 8715J).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-222-5500.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Summary: 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 inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
Consequence: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 1993 Mazda Protege owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Seat belts (28), Fuel system (7), Gasoline (7), Brakes (5), Hydraulic (5).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/18/2011 · Seat belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MAZDA PROTEGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED AND REMAINED STUCK. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND INQUIRED AS TO WHY OTHER MAZDA VEHICLES WERE RECALLED FOR THE SEAT BELTS BUT NOT THE PROTEGE. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 237,000.
08/06/2009 · Seat belts
1) I HAVE A 93 MAZDA 323/PROTEGE AND THE SEAT BELT WERE RECALLED ACCORDING TO THE WEB SIT SAFERCARS.GOV. NHTSA ID NO.97V211000 2)THE SEAT BELT LIGHT WAS ON MY VEHICLE AND THE BELT REFUSES TO MOVE ON THE RAIL SOME TIMES. IN ADDITION THE BUZZER COMES ON WHILE I AM DRIVING AND THE BELT TENDS TO MOVE SLIGHTLY UP AND DOWN WHILE I AM DRIVING. 3) I TOOK THE…
08/09/2004 · Seat belts
THE DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT GOT STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRACK AND WOULD NO LONGER HOLD THE DRIVER IN THE SEAT IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER WOULD NOT FIX IT PROPERLY AND REPLACEMENT OF THE SEATBELT IS FAR TOO COSTLY.*AK
08/04/2004 · Seat belts
NOTHING LED UP TO THE FAILURE, ONE DAY THE PASSIVE SEATBELT JUST WENT ABOUT HALF-WAY UP THE TRACK, THEN IT STOPPED AND A GREASY CABLE POPPED OUT OF IT. WORST OF ALL, MAZDA'S EMERGENCY HANDLE WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO TURN AN INTERNAL HEX NUT TO MOVE THE SEATBELT REARWARD ONLY MADE ABOUT ONE TURN UNTIL IT GOT STIFF AND PUTTING ANY MORE FORCE ON THE EMERGENCY HAND…
02/17/2003 · Electrical system
THE HORN GOES OFF ON ITS OWN.
01/08/2003 · Backup camera
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE HORN GOES OFF BY ITSELF. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
01/02/2003 · Electrical system
CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE HORN GOES OFF BY ITSELF.DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
05/16/2002 · Seat belts
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT RETRACT ANY MORE. CONTACTED DEALER.*JB