1996 Mazda Protege DX
JM1BB1412T0355509
Vehicle history report for the 1996 Mazda Protege DX (VIN JM1BB1412T0355509). Blue, sedan/saloon, 83 hp. 128,592 mi reported. Registered in Ca. 2 open safety recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN JM1BB1412T0355509
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls 2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
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.
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.
NHTSA Campaign #15V674000 · 19/10/2015EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 82 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Mazda Protege, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
💥 3 involved a crash 🔥 1 involved a fire 🚑 1 reported injury
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
🔍 Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
🔍 Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
🔍 Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
🔍 Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 82
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 1996 Mazda Protege.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE - THE MAZDA PROTG MENTIONED UNDER "SUBJECT" OF THIS E-MAIL - ACCELERATING WITHOUT THE GAS PEDAL BEING TOUCHED ON AT LEAST THREE OCCASIONS SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW IN THE FALL OF 1996. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXHIBITED INTENSE RUMBLING WHEN IN DRIVE AND WAITING AT IDLE AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. ON ONE OF SEVERAL OCCASIONS …
NHTSA ODI #10316645ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 1996 MAZDA PROTEGE LX (1.5 LITER ENGINE) SUFFERS FROM SUCH EXTREME ENGINE VIBRATION THAT THE CAR HAS RECENTLY BECOME PRACTICALLY UNDRIVEABLE DESPITE ITS LOW MILEAGE OF 83,000K AND A GOOD MAINTENANCE HISTORY. THE CAR SHAKES SEVERELY WHEN STARTING, JERKS SEVERELY WHEN SHIFTING GEARS AND IS SURGING ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLY AT VARIOUS TIMES. IT IS UNSAFE AND I H…
NHTSA ODI #10119894AIR BAGS
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. *AK
Crash · 1 injured · NHTSA ODI #10099934POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED THAT TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. AFTER BEING INSPECTED CONSUMER CONCLUDED THAT TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10046062STEERING
WHILE DRIVING CAR ON HIGHWAY AIR CONDITIONER SEIZED BREAKING BELT AND CAUSING ME TO LOSE POWER STEERING
NHTSA ODI #10030975ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CAR STARTED SMOKING & WITHIN LESS THAN 10 MINUTES THE FIRE THAT STARTED UNDER THE HOOD HAD HALF THE CAR ENGULFED IN FLAMES, WITHIN 25 MINUTES THE WHOLE CAR WAS COMPLETELY BURNED UP FROM FRONT TO BACK.
Fire · NHTSA ODI #10025369POWER TRAIN
I HAD DIFFICULTY MOVING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT LEVER WHEN THE CAR WAS ABOUT 1 YEAR OLD. THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR ON AND OFF OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS. I FINALLY HAD TO REPLACE THE PART WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER WAS STUCK WITH MY KEY STILL IN THE IGNITION ABOUT 2 OR 3 YEARS AGO. I CAN'T REMEMBER IF IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL/IGNITION OR TRANSMISSION …
NHTSA ODI #10020725STRUCTURE
SERIOUS RUST PROBLEM DISCOVERED IN THE WINDSHIELD AREA OF CAR WHEN HAVING NEW WINDSHIELD INSTALLED. SEVERAL YEARS AGO, PROBABLY 1999, WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, I ATTEMPTED TO HAVE MAZDA REPAIR RUST THAT WAS APPEARING ON THE FRONT PILLARS BY THE WINDSHIELD. THEIR AREA REPRESENTATIVE REFUSED, SAYING THAT THE WARRANTY ONLY COVERED RUSTING THROU…
NHTSA ODI #10007963+ 74 more complaints on record.
