Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Mazda Protege owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* - the contact had a 1995 Mazda Protege which was in a head on crash. The contact stated that the car was traveling at 55 MPH under dry conditions when the vehicle was struck by another head on. The contact stated that the driver side air bag did not deploy and as a result the driver was killed. That contact stated that there weren't any skid marks in the road to indicate that either vehicle tried to stop. The contact stated that she has a police report from the crash. The contact has the steering section of the vehicle with the air bag. The decedents grandmother wrote in. Updated 02/26/07.
The air bags exploded while I was out side the car , there was a recall on the air bags & I was never notified by either Mazda corp or the dealer & I have been the original owner , there has been numerous recalls on the 1995 Protege & at no time I was ever contacted that there was a recall period. In 1997 the engine died & I had to pay the sum of $1500.00 to replace the engine & there were recalls I received no notification of. I contacted both Mazda of north America & the dealer plaza auto mall where I purchased the car in 1995 & both refused my request to address this matter. The vehicle was inspected, and it was determined the air bags deployed, due to corrosion. Updated 08/27/14
1995 Mazda Protege. Both airbags deployed when my daughter hit a curb. No other damage was evident. Tires and rims had no damage. The bags should not have deployed. Recall 95V184000 describes problem with inadvertent air bag deployment on this vehicle. Mazda claims that my daughters vehicle was fixed in 1995. This undercarriage impact caused the bags to deploy hurting my daughter and the passenger side bag door cracked the windshield. Very expensive items to fix for no reason.
Consumer was hit from rear with great force about 45-50 MPH, causing the consumer to hit the vehicle in front and pushed 3 others into one another. Accident caused split bumper/great radiator damage/airbags did not deploy,severed. Consumer sustained whipblash and back injuries. Seat belts were also worn.
The consumer was in the right turn lane ready to merge into traffic when the car was hit from behind at such a great force, , causing the consumer's car to hit the car in front of her. Airbags did not deploy, driver and passenger to hit the windshield head first. Seat belts were not worn at this time.
Driver was hit from behind while sitting at an intersection ,then pushed into a parked vehicle. Left front air bag did not deploy. Driver sustained minor injuries, and did not seek medical attention. Vehicle was towed, and totaled by the insurance company.
The consumer experienced problems with driver's and passenger's side airbags. During a frontal collision, driver's and passenger's side airbags failed to deploy. The manufacturer has been contacted.
While starting vehicle air bag sensor light remained on, and within a few minutes or more while still parked, driver's side air bag deployed without reason. Driver sustained tempory loss of hearing on left ear. Dealer/ manufacturer were notified. Consumer states vehicle was driven five miles with air bag light on, as soon as the air bag blew there was white smoke from engine, later on consumer knew radiator was leaking causing white smoke vehicle was towed to dealer, air bag was replaced and the leaking radiator was repaired, air bag came back on twice and the clock spring had to be replaced.
Consumer was traveling about 10mph on the road and slowed down because there was a deep dip inside of the road ahead, and both driver's/passenger's airbags came out. It sounded like a gun shot. Consumer was concerned as to why the airbags deployed at this slow speed. Certainly, there was no contact with another vehicle. Both driver/passenger sustained bodily injuries.
While driving 45 MPH the driver's and passenger's air bags deployed without warning, causing injuries to the occupants. Also the driver's window and the windshield broke. Please give further details.
Related recalls
Air bags
The tie down hooks can cause undercarriage impacts that can result in unnecessary air bag deployments.
Remedy: Dealers will remove and replace the tie down hooks with modified tie down hooks.
Airbag complaints in other Protege years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1995 Mazda Protege?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the air bags of the 1995 Mazda Protege, 25% of the model year's 165 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (36 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Mazda Protege airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 95V-184 (air bags, Oct 3, 1995). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1995 Mazda Protege airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 49,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 23 crashes, 1 fire and 37 injuries and 1 death to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.