Model year guide

1992 Mazda protege

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1992 Mazda protege is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.

1992 Mazda protege — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1992 Mazda protege at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints68
Combined23–27 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1992 Mazda protege recalls 1

Electrical System:ignition:switch NHTSA Campaign #15V674000 · manufacturer #8715J · 19/10/2015

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.

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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1992 Mazda protege common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 68 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1992 Mazda protege safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1992 Mazda Protege 4-DR. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

1992 Mazda protege MPG & running costs

Combined23–27 mpg
City22 mpg
Highway29 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,750
EPA size classCompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume92 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$1,750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1992 Mazda protege costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,750
Fuel only$13,750
Per mile$0.18

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 2

AUTO RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAIL Closed

NHTSA #EA94039 · Seat Belts · opened Nov 1994 · closed Nov 1997

AUTO RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAIL Closed

NHTSA #PE94059 · Seat Belts · opened Jul 1994 · closed Nov 1994

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 19

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 19.

In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealer's responsibility to comply with Federal, S…

Bulletin 09-009-19-3566 · Electrical System · Jan 2019

In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealer's responsibility to comply with Federal, S…

Bulletin 09-034-18-3430a · Vehicle Speed Control, Equipment · Oct 2018

In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealer?s responsibility to comply with Federal, S…

Bulletin 09-035-17-3080 · Electrical System, Equipment · Aug 2017

Speedometer replacement procedure

Bulletin 0900716 · Electrical System · Feb 2016

IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS, FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE LISTED BELOW WHEN REPLACING A SPEEDOMETER.NOTE:•MAZDA VEHICLES ARE MANUFACTURED WITH TAMPER-PROOF SPEEDOMETERS.•WHEN A SPEEDOMETER IS REPLACED, THE NEW SPEEDOMETER WILL READ ZERO (0) MILES.•THIS PROC…

Bulletin 09-034-14-2956 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Aug 2014

BATTERY TEST PROCEDURE REQUIREMENTS. *TT

Bulletin 0102504 · Electrical System · Jul 2004

SPEEDOMETER REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE. *TT

Bulletin 0902604 · Equipment · Jul 2004

EXPERIENCING POPPING NOISE FROM FRONT BRAKE CALIPER DURING SLOW SPEED BRAKING. *TT

Bulletin 00299 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 1999

SUBJECT ON PASSIVE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR SWITCH. *YC

Bulletin 01198 · Seat Belts · May 1998

CONDITIONS WITH STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY OFF CENTER. *YC

Bulletin 00198 · Steering · Apr 1998

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the PROTEGE. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 2

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1992 Mazda protege. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Electrical

On certain vehicles, a defect in the ignition switch could cause an electrical short to develop over time. This could result in smoke and/or fire, increasing the risk of injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

Transport Canada #2015489 · Oct 2015

Seats And Restraints

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S 210.1 - TETHER ANCHORAGES FOR CHILD RESTRAINTS. INCORRECT INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS IN OWNER'S MANUAL. CORRECTION: REVISED PAGES FOR OWNER'S MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INCORRECTLY INSTALLED TETHER ANCHORAGES WILL BE CORRECTED IF NEEDED.

Transport Canada #1993016 · Feb 1993

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Mazda protege

The Mazda Familia , also marketed prominently as the Mazda 323, Mazda Protegé and Mazda Allegro, is a small family car that was manufactured by Mazda between 1963 and 2003. The Familia line was replaced by the Mazda3/Axela for 2004.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1992 Mazda protege trims & engines on record

Engines
83 hp

1992 Mazda protege vehicles on record

Other Mazda protege model years

1992 Mazda protege — frequently asked questions

Does the 1992 Mazda protege have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1992 Mazda protege. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1992 Mazda protege?

Across all 68 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are seat belts, electrical system, fuel system.

What is the 1992 Mazda protege safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1992 Mazda protege crash-test ratings of frontal 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 1992 Mazda protege get?

The 1992 Mazda protege has U.S. EPA estimates of 23–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.