1994 Mazda Protege
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1994 Mazda Protege is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1994 Mazda Protege at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1994 Mazda Protege recalls 1
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.
1994 Mazda Protege common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 88 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1994 Mazda Protege safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1994 Mazda Protege 4-DR. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
1994 Mazda Protege MPG & running costs
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 1994 Mazda Protege costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
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 1
AUTO RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAIL Closed
NHTSA #EA94039 · Seat Belts · opened Nov 1994 · closed Nov 1997An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 20
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 20.
In support of the new MRT distribution, Mazda will ship to dealers a new Dual Purpose Diagnostic Leak Detector beginning March, 2019. Training videos will be posted to MGSS shortly and Workshop Manual procedures will be revised gradually.
Bulletin 00-003-19-3583 · Engine And Engine Cooling, Fuel System, Gasoline, Fuel System, Diesel · Mar 2019In 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 2019In 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 2018In 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 09-034-18-3430 · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2018In 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 2017Speedometer replacement procedure
Bulletin 0900716 · Electrical System · Feb 2016IN 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 2014BATTERY TEST PROCEDURE REQUIREMENTS. *TT
Bulletin 0102504 · Electrical System · Jul 2004SPEEDOMETER REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE. *TT
Bulletin 0902604 · Equipment · Jul 2004EXPERIENCING POPPING NOISE FROM FRONT BRAKE CALIPER DURING SLOW SPEED BRAKING. *TT
Bulletin 00299 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 1999Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the PROTEGE. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 1
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1994 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 2015Source: 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.