Recalls (0)
NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns for the 1989 Mazda Protege. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (2)
2 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 1 | 50% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 50% |
How 1989 compares with other Protege years
Best and worst Protege years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 2 | 0 |
| 1990 | 37 | 1 |
| 1991 | 51 | 1 |
| 1992 | 63 | 1 |
| 1993 | 44 | 1 |
| 1994 | 74 | 1 |
| 1995 | 165 | 4 |
| 1996 | 70 | 1 |
| 1997 | 66 | 1 |
| 1998 | 46 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Looking at a 1989 Protege for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1989 Mazda Protege FAQ
How many recalls does the 1989 Mazda Protege have?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1989 Mazda Protege. Check a specific car with NHTSA's VIN lookup, which also covers newly announced recalls.
What are the most common 1989 Mazda Protege problems?
Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (1), Engine and engine cooling (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
How does the 1989 Protege compare with other years?
Among the 1989–1998 Mazda Protege model years at least five years old, the 1989 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 1995 the most (165). The 1989 drew 2. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.