2003 Mazda Protege

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/29/2004· AIR BAGSCrash

  I HAVE A 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, I PAID EXTRA FOR A SIDE AIRBAGS AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE PACKAGE. ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 20TH OF 2004, I WAS BROAD SIDED BY A 1990 HUGE CHEVY WORK PICK UP. I WAS GOING 40 MPH, I ESTIMATE THE TRUCK AT THE SAME. MY SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. IF I HAD NOT SEEN THE TRUCK COMING AND OFFSET THE ANGLE OF IMPACT, MY BROTHER AND I WOULD MOST LIKELY BE IN THE HOSPITAL RIGHT NOW. WHEN I CONTACTED MAZDA CONSUMER AFFAIRS, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE NOT GUARANTEED TO DEPLOY AND ?MADE A NOTE IN MY FILE THEY FAILED TO DEPLOY.? AT NO POINT DURING THE BUYING PROCESS WAS I TOLD THEY WERE NOT GUARANTEED. WHEN TALKING TO MAZDA?S CONSUMER AFFAIRS, I WAS ALSO TOLD THEY WOULD NOT LOOK INTO THE FAILURE UNLESS MY INSURANCE COMPANY CAME AFTER THEM. *NM

• 12/28/2004· EQUIPMENT

  2003 MAZDA PROTEGE RADIO SEEMS TO BE DEFECTIVE. DEALER REPLACED RADIO THAT HAD A NONFUNCTIONAL VOLUME CONTROL WITH ONE THAT HAD SAME ISSUE. DEALER IS REORDERING PART. *JB

• 12/27/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA PROTG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC CHECKED THE CODES AND STATED THAT THE ENGINE MISFIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

• 12/26/2002· AIR BAGSCrash

  FAILURE OF SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. ON DATE INDICATED THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE5 STRUCK A METAL UTILITY POLE WITH SUFFICIENT FORCE TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO BE A TOTAL LOSS, YET THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS WAS A DIRECT AND NOT GLANCING BLOW THE MAIN FORCE OF WHICH STRUCK IMMEDIATELY OVER THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL. INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, WHEN NOTIFIED, THE MAZDA USA CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY (USAA) SHOULD INITIATE ANY REQUIRED ACTION. YET, THE INSURANCE COMPANY CLAIMS THEY ARE NOT "INVOLVED" IF THE AIR BAG DID NOT CONTRIBUTE TO THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. IS NO ONE BUT ME CONCERNED THAT THERE MAY BE A DEFECTIVE SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM DESIGN OR THAT A DEFECTIVE UNIT MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN MY CAR?

• 12/21/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  THE VEHICLE STALLED ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS ALSO A NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS APPLIED. *JB *SC

• 12/19/2012· POWER TRAIN,SEAT BELTS,SEATS

  WHEN ENGAGING SEAT BELT INTO LOCKING MECHANISM, THE MECHANISM BROKE INTO ABOUT SEVEN PIECES. IT WILL NO LONGER HOLD THE SEAT BELT. *TR

• 12/19/2004· POWER TRAIN

  CLUTCH APPARENTLY FAILED TO ENGAGE TRANSMISSION AFTER BEING DRIVEN 15 MILES TO WORK WITH NO APPARENT SYMPTOMS THAT IT WAS GOING TO FAIL. VEHICLE HAS PREVIOUSLY HAD A MOTOR MOUNT BREAK THAT WAS COVERED UNDER THE TERMS OF THE WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THE MOTOR MOUNT FAILURE CAUSED A MISALIGNMENT OF THE DRIVE TRAIN WHICH RESULTED IN THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH. MAZDA HAS REFUSED TO COVER THE CLUTCH AS A WARRANTY REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THEY DID THE MOTOR MOUNT REPAIR. AT THE TIME THE MOTOR MOUNT FAILED THE MOTOR OR TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING AN AWFUL RACKET. THE CLUTCH SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS UNDER AN AWFUL STRAIN! *JB

• 12/07/2009· SEAT BELTS

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE 5. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO USE THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT SHE NOTICED THAT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD NOT CONNECT WITH THE BASE LATCH. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THE LATCH BECAME VERY DIFFICULT CLOSE. THE LATCH MECHANISM WAS REPLACED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 89500. UPDATED 01/05/10. *LJ UPDATED 01/05/10.*JB

• 12/05/2017· STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS

  EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE AREA INSIDE AND OUTSIDE IN TIRES ... MANY SEVERAL WORKSHOPS CAN NOT CORRECT THE ALIGNMENT FAULT ... THE STEERING WHEEL GO TO THE RIGHT AND I HAVE TO FORCE TO THE LEFT ... ALL THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION PART ARE NEW , INCLUDING THE SHOCK ABSORBER IS NEW AND CONTROL ARM AND LINK ROD AND BUSHING ...THE CENTRIC BOLT NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE ...I SEE OVER ETHERNET MANY PEOPLE HAS THE SAME FAIL IN THIS CAR ..I BUY THIS CAR NEW AND NEVER CRASHED OR OR MISTREATED ..I REPORT THIS IN THIS YEAR BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME IT'S A MANUFACTURING FAULT..AND I HAVE HAD TOO MUCH EXPENSES AND I CAN NOT SOLVE ... RIGHT NOW I NEED TO BUY OTHER TIRES...PLEASE I NEED A SOLUTION ...I SEND A ETHERNET PHOTO AND THE CAR AND COLOR IS SAME ...TO REMEMBER THE MILLEAGE VALOR AND YEAR PRESENTED IN THE NEXT QUESTION IN THIS FORM IS APPROXIMATED ...THANK YOU I WAIT YOU RESPONSE

• 12/02/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  MY SON BOUGHT A 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE 5, BACK IN LATE JULY 2010. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, ON AUGUST 3RD, 2010 IN FACT, HE KNOWING OF AN OPEN RECALL, HAD THE CAR SERVICED AT THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP. APPARENTLY THEY PERFORMED PART A OF RECALL 3005C AND DID A COMPRESSION CHECK AND SLAPPED A "RECALL COMPLETED" STICKER UNDER THE HOOD. COME LATE AUGUST, MY SON TAKES THE CAR AWAY TO SCHOOL. ON NOVEMBER 1ST, 2010, HE CALLS COMPLAINING OF A "'LOUD ENGINE NOISE". 2 DAYS LATER, WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A NEARBY PERFORMANCE SHOP. THEY INVESTIGATED AND NOTICED THE RECALL 3005C STICKER UNDER THE HOOD. KNOWING THIS, THE PERFORMANCE SHOP RECOMMENDED WE TAKE THE CAR TO THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP NEARBY MY SONS' SCHOOL. THIS SECOND DEALERSHIP VERIFIED WITH A BORESCOPE THAT THERE WAS DAMAGE IN CYLINDERS 1 AND 3. AFTER MUCH DISAGREEMENT, THIS SECOND MAZDA DEALERSHIP EVENTUALLY OPENED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND FOUND 7 OF THE 8 SCREWS AND ALL 4 BUTTERFLY VALVES LAYING IN THE BOTTOM OF THE INTAKE. THE SECOND DEALERSHIP THEN REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BUT UPON STARTING THE ENGINE FOUND THAT THE ENGINE NOISE STILL EXISTS. NOW THEY CLAIM THE ENGINE NOISE IS DUE TO "ENGINE BEARING FAILURE" AND NOT RELATED TO THE 3005C RECALL. AFTER FORCING THE ISSUE WITH MAZDA THEY CLAIMED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE CAN BE OFFERED. I WAS THEN FORCED TO TOW THE CAR BACK TO THE PERFORMANCE SHOP. THERE THEY REMOVED THE CYLINDER HEAD AND FOUND THE MISSING SCREW EMBEDDED IN THE TOP OF CYLINDER #2. BEARING FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN VERIFIED BY ANYONE YET. I MAINTAIN THAT THE SCREW BEING EMBEDDED IN CYLINDER #2 PLUS OTHER METAL FILINGS RELATED TO THE 3005C RECALL, MUST HAVE CAUSED THE ALLEGED "BEARING FAILURE". MAZDA CLAIMS THE SO CALLED "BEARING FAILURE" MUST HAVE EXISTED PREVIOUSLY. APPARENTLY, THEY THINK I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AROUND WITH THE BEARING PROBLEM. LOOKS LIKE LEGAL ACTION WILL BE THE NEXT STEP. ALL OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED HAD THE FIRST MAZDA DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IN THE FIRST PLACE. *TR

• 11/29/2011· SEAT BELTS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE COMPLETELY FRACTURED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

• 11/16/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  2003 MAZDA PROTEGE 5 WITH ROUGH IDLING AND OTHER ENGINE ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE HAD A ROUGH IDLE AND THAT IT WOULD HAVE TROUBLE STARTING. *KB WHEN THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE ENGINE, HE FOUND THE SCREWS HAD PASSED THROUGH THE ENGINE AND WERE FOUND IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS AN INTAKE MANIFOLD SHUTTER AND VARIABLE TUMBLE CONTROL VALVE EMISSION RECALL FOR MAZDA PROTEGE'S, HOWEVER THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE RANGE. *JB

• 11/11/2009· SUSPENSION

  I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH MAZDA PROTG'S. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM, WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE ARE BRACKETS ON TOP OF THE STRUT TOWER THAT ARE NOT COATED OR COATED PROPERLY TO PREVENT RUSTING. THE RUST ON MY CAR AND MAY OTHERS IS SEEN COVERING THE TOP OF THE STRUT TOWER. AS YOU KNOW THERE IS A LOT OF PRESSURE AT THIS POINT ON VEHICLES. IF THE RUST ADVANCES ENOUGH ' THE STRUT AND WHEEL CAN AND WILL COME UP THROUGH THE HOOD. THE RESULT WILL BE A VEHICLE LOSING CONTROL AND CRASHING INTO WHATEVER IS AROUND. MAZDA IS UNRESPONSIVE TO THIS ISSUE. COULD YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AS MANY PEOPLE CAN BE HURT OR KILLED BY THIS. I HAVE PICTURES OF MY CAR IF YOU'D LIKE TO SEE THEM (UNABLE TO SUBMIT THROUGH THIS SITE) AND A LINK TO AN AUTOMOTIVE WEB SITE WITH ADDITIONAL PICTURES AND COMMENTS. HTTP://WWW.THETRUTHABOUTCARS.COM/PISTON-SLAP-MAZDA-PROTEGE5-IN-GOD-WE-RUST/. *TR

• 11/05/2008· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE LOW BEAM HALOGEN BULB (HEADLIGHT) ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY MAZDA RECENTLY BURNED OUT. > FIRST COMPLAINT--BECAUSE OF A CRAMPED ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE BULB IS DIFFICULT TO REPLACE. I HAVE SMALLISH HANDS FOR A MAN. THERE WAS BARELY ROOM TO ACCESS THE BULB SOCKET (HOLDER) ON THE OUTSIDE CORNER OF THE HEADLIGHT "POD". > SECOND COMPLAINT--THE BULB HOLDER WAS COMPLEX. THE BULB PLUGS INTO AN "INTERNAL" SOCKET; THIS PAIR SLIDES INTO THE HEADLIGHT "POD"; THE PAIR IS THEN HELD IN PLACE BY A WIRE CLIP; EVERYTHING THUS FAR GETS COVERED BY A RUBBER GASKET; AND LASTLY, THERE'S AN "EXTERNAL" CONNECTION (PLUG). > THIRD COMPLAINT--THE HEADLIGHT "POD" IS A INTRINSICALLY LOUSY DESIGN. EVEN IN BROAD DAYLIGHT, I COULDN'T SEE THE CATCH-POINT FOR THE WIRE CLIP. > FOURTH COMPLAINT--THE "POD" ITSELF IS FRAIL. IT'S APPARENTLY PLASTIC. THE PLASTIC APPARENTLY AGES BADLY. MY GENTLE ATTEMPT TO REFASTEN THE WIRE CLIP BROKE SOMETHING ON THE BACK OF THE "POD"--I DON'T KNOW WHAT. SO I WAS FORCED TO REPLACE THE "POD" ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF OVER $400. > NOTE--I'D PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THREE HEADLIGHT BULBS ON THIS CAR; AND THOUGH SUCCESSFUL, I WAS FRUSTRATED WITH THE PROCESS EACH TIME. > THERE OUGHTA BE A LAW! > AN OWNER SHOULD BE ABLE TO REPLACE ANY SAFETY-RELATED LIGHT BULB ON THE OUTSIDE OF THEIR VEHICLE WITH 1) NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE MECHANICALLY, EG, A TEEN BARBIE-BIMBO; 2) ONLY MODEST HAND DEXTERITY, EG, AN OLD FART WITH ARTHRITIS; 3) NO TOOL MORE COMPLEX THAN A COMMONPLACE SCREWDRIVER; AND 4) WITHOUT AN OWNER'S MANUAL, EG, AN OLDER USED CAR. > THE GOAL HERE IS TO EMPOWER AN OWNER TO KEEP THEIR VEHICLE IN SAFEST CONDITION. I REQUEST THAT THE USDOT ISSUE AND ENFORCE SUITABLE STANDARDS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF "FAMILY" VEHICLES. > IT'S TOO '!@#$% LATE TO HELP ME. I DOUBT WHETHER I'LL EVER BUY ANOTHER MAZDA.

• 11/05/2004· PARKING BRAKE

  ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE'S EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN A HILL. *NM CONSUMER PUT 2 MONTH OLD CHILD IN THE CAR SEAT AND PROCEEDED TO GET IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT STARTED TO ROLL. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GET SOMEONES ATTENTION TO GET THE BABY OUT OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE DOOR WAS OPEN IT HIT A PARKED VEHICLE CAUSING ONE OF THE HINGES ON THE DOOR TO BREAK AND DENTED THE DOOR QUITE A BIT. CONSUMER WAS INJURED WHILE TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE.

• 11/01/2003· POWER TRAIN

  LEAKING GEAR OIL FLUID AT THE LINKAGE COUPLING. *LA

• 10/30/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE CAR SUFFERED A FAILURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHEREBY THE SCREWS INSIDE THE INTAKE HAD COME LOOSE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. IT IS UNCLEAR AT THIS TIME IF MY CAR IS COVERED UNDER THE CURRENT RECALL 3005 C. *TR

• 10/25/2013· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT THE ENGINE FAILED TO START ACCOMPANIED BY AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE OFTEN WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,200.

• 10/25/2004· AIR BAGS

  AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. ON EACH OCCASION, WITHIN THREE WEEKS OR LESS , THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. *AK

• 10/21/2003· TIRES

  TREAD ON THE CENTER RIB OF TIRES STARTED TO BREAK OFF.*MR CONSUMER NOTICED SPLITTING ON THE OUTSIDE OF BOTH FRONT TIRES. CONDITION GOTTEN WORSE, TRACTION ON THE TIRES HAD BE AFFECTED AND TIRES TENDED TO SLIP. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONCLUDED THE TIRE WERE DEFECTIVE. ONLY THE CENTER RIB AND OUTER SHOULDER BLOCK SHOWED SIGNIFICANT WEAR. CONSUMER WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A AUTHORIZED BRIDGESTONE DEALER FOR WARRANTY REPLACEMENT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FIRESTONE MASTER CAR CARE CENTER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS BEING OWNER'S NEGLECT. A SECOND OPINION WAS OBTAINED BY GOODYEAR GEMINI AUTO SERVICE WHO CONCLUDED IMPROPER ALIGNMENT OR DEFECTIVE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE ORIGINAL MECHANIC WHERE THEY DETERMINED IT WASN'T THE ALIGNMENT BUT DEFECTIVE TIRES. AT THIS TIME, THE REMAINING RIBS STARTED TO SHOW WEAR. *PH

• 10/07/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE 5. WHILE IDLING THE ENGINE, IT MISFIRED AND TWO OF THE CYLINDERS DID NOT MAKE A CONNECTION. AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN REMOVED A SCREW FROM THE CYLINDER WITHIN THE ENGINE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LOSING SCREWS AND AFFECTING THE CYLINDERS. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000.

• 09/29/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS A NO-START CONDITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY SCREWS THAT HAVE FALLEN FROM THE BUTTERFLY SHUTTERS INSIDE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD COST $1000.00. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 107,000.

• 09/25/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN HESITATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE COMPUTER GAVE A CODE STATING A MISFIRE IN THE FIRST CYLINDER. THE SPARK PLUG WAS TAKEN OFF AND THE GAP WAS CLOSED. THE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS THEN TAKEN OFF AND THE SCREW HAD COME OFF, THIS CLOSED THE GAP ON THE SPARK PLUG. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS BEING REPLACED.

• 09/09/2013· SEAT BELTS

  THE DRIVER SEAT BELT WILL NO LONGER WORK. THE MALE END WILL NOT CONNECT TO THE FEMALE END. I LOOKED WITH A FLASHLIGHT AND THERE WERE BROKEN PIECES INSIDE. IT LOOKS LIKE THE BUCKLE CAME APART. I NOW HAVE TO USE THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. *TR

• 09/09/2013· ENGINE

  I RECENTLY PURCHASED A '03 MAZDA PROTEGE5. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD YESTERDAY AT 65 MPH, I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND HEARD SOMETHING HIT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. THE CAR EXHAUST SUDDENLY BECAME MUCH LOUDER. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD. I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR, AND THE EXHAUST HAD COME APART. THE PIECE OF THE EXHAUST AFTER THE CAT WAS HANGING ABOUT 1 INCH FROM THE GROUND. THIS PIECE IS AFTER THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, NEAR ONE OF THE HANGING POINTS OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. TWO BOLTS, WHICH HOLD THIS PIECE TOGETHER, AND THE EXHAUST GASKET WERE MISSING. LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO DAMAGE WHATSOEVER. THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE ENDED TRAGICALLY. *TR

• 09/09/2008· SEAT BELTS

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BECAME JAMMED IN THE LOCK MECHANISM. THE BUCKLE MECHANISM WOULD NOT RELEASE THE SEAT BELT HARNESS STRAP. THE CONTACT IS WAITING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 70,300.

• 09/09/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  I BELIEVE THAT THE 2003 MAZDA PROTOGE5 BRAKE DESIGN IS FLAWED AND DANGEROUS (5-SPEED MANUAL). I HAVE ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE WITH MY DEALER (CAPITAL MAZDA, CARY, NC) AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP.*AK THERE IS EXCESSIVE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, SO MUCH SO THAT I CAN NEARLY PUSH THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT WHEN BRAKING, HAVE ACTUALLY PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AS WELL, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO RACE. ON AT LEAST ONE OCCASION, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD UPON RELEASING THE BRAKE, DUE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING PRESSED AS WELL AS THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS IS A FUNDAMENTAL DESIGN FLAW IT SEEMS AND ONE THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ACTION FROM MAZDA. THIS IS A CONDITION THAT WILL LIKELY LEAD TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.

• 09/02/2004· POWER TRAIN

  OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD. DEALER DISCOVERED FOUR SOLENOIDS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THEY WERE STEEL PLATED. MANUFACTURER STATED CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO REPAIR AT HIS OWN COST.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT 4 SOLEROIDS INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION ARE GOING BAD. STEEL PLATES IN TRANSMISSION SHOW THERMAL DAMAGE. REAR DOOR LOCKS NOT FUNCTIONING AND MAKING A SHORTING SOUND. *TC

• 08/31/2010· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  I OWN A 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE 5, AND I HAVE AUTOMATIC/REMOTE KEY UNLOCKS DOORS. ONE DAY IT JUST STOP WORKING, I HAD TO START TO MANUALLY LOCK AND UNLOCK MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR. IT WOULD NOT BE MUCH OF A BOTHER HAD IT BE ANOTHER DOOR, BUT JUST THE MAIN ONE I USE BROKE. I WENT TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WANTED $250 TO FIX IT, SAYING IT NEEDS A NEW CAR DOOR ACTUATOR. NOT 2 MONTHS PAST, AND THE BACK DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE TOO, A DOOR I HARDLY USED. IT WAS A CHEAP PLASTIC PART WITH IN THE ACTUATOR THAT BROKE FOR NO GOOD REASON. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. I HAVE YET TO COME UP WITH $500 TO FIX BOTH DOORS. *TR

• 08/30/2019· AIR BAGS

  2003 MAZDA PROTEGE WOULD NOT PASS 2019 VIRGINIA SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. DEALER CANNOT REPLACE BECAUSE MAZDA HAS DISCONTINUED THAT PART. UNDER VIRGINIA LAW, CAR CANNOT BE OPERATED WITHOUT VALID INSPECTION CERTIFICATE. INSPECTION DISCLOSED NO OTHER DISQUALIFYING CONDITIONS.

• 08/29/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE TIGHTENING TORQUE OF THE SCREWS USED FOR MOUNTING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SHUTTER VALVE LOOSENED AND FELL OUT (1 INTO THE SPARK PLUGS AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO PLUGS AND COILS).CAUSED MISFIRING, AFFECTING THE EXHAUST EMISSIONS. THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2006 BUT NOT FOR MY CAR'S VIN - BUT MY CAR HAD THE EXACT PROBLEM FROM THAT RECALL. WAITING TO SEE IF MAZDA WILL HONOR THIS RECALL AND PAY FOR REPAIRS/PARTS. *TR

• 08/27/2010· SEAT BELTS

  FRONT DRIVER SEAT BELT SUDDENLY WAS INCAPABLE OF BEING BUCKLED. DRIVERS SEAT BELT COULD NOT CLICK IN RECEPTACLE AND WAS NOT USABLE. DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED B/C IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR WHICH WAS ABOUT $100. *TR

• 08/27/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60 MPH FOR 40 MINUTES, THE CAR BEGAN SPUTTERING, JERKING, MAKING NOISES, LOSING ACCELERATION AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT INITIALLY FELT LIKE SOMEONE WAS TAKING THEIR FOOT ON AND OFF THE GAS. WE PULLED OFF ROAD AND WERE TOWED TO OUR GARAGE. MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE SPARK PLUG FOR CYLINDER 4 WAS SMASHED SHUT, HE REPLACED IT AND TOLD US TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER SINCE THIS WAS THE 3RD TIME WE HAD THIS PROBLEM. IN DEC OF 2009 THE SPARK PLUG FOR CYLINDER 1 HAD SAME PROBLEM THEN AGAIN IN FEB 2010 IT WAS THE PLUGS FOR 1 & 4. EACH TIME WE WERE DRIVING AT 55 MPH OR HIGHER WHEN CAR BEGAN TO SPUTTER THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MAZDA IS TELLING US NOTHING IS IN THE ENGINE, THE COMPRESSION IS FINE AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHY SPARK PLUGS ARE GETTING SMASHED. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED OUR MECHANIC THOUGHT IT WAS BAD SPARK PLUG AND REPLACED IT FREE OF CHARGE, THE SECOND TIME WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO COULD FIND NOTHING. IT IS NOW AT THE DEALER AGAIN AND THEY ARE SAYING THE ONLY THING THEY COULD DO IS TAKE THE ENGINE APART AND LOOK BUT HAVE NO GUARANTEE OF FINDING ANYTHING AND IT COULD COST $1500. THEY REMOVED SPARK PLUG, CHECKED FOR DEBRIS AND TESTED THE COMPRESSION. THEY ALSO USED A MAGNET TO SEARCH FOR FOREIGN BODY IN CYLINDER AND FOUND NOTHING. *TR

• 08/24/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHILE DRIVING A FLAT TIRE. CHANGED THE FLAT, AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE. UPON COMING TO A STOP SIGN AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES VEHICLE CONTINUED THROUGH THE STOP SIGN. THIS HAPPENED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE ABS KICKED IN, MAKING A BUMMING NOISE. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT MAY BE THE ABS. *AK

• 08/20/2012· SUSPENSION

  MY CAR DOES THAT AS I AM TURNING OUT THE DRIVEWAY AND GOING OVER THE BUMPS ON ROADS. *TR

• 08/06/2008· TIRES

  TWO GENERAL TIRES PURCHASED AT THE SAME TIME .ONE TIRE BLEW OUT AND WHEN I WHEN TO HAVE IT REPAIRED WAS TOLD THAT BOTH THE VALVE STEMS IN BOTH THESE TIRES WERE ROTTEN AND THE FIRST ONE GAVE WAY CAUSING A BLOW-OUT WHILE DRIVING .IN CHECKING THE OTHER TIRE THE VALVE STEM HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. TERRIFYING !!*TR

• 07/31/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  I HAVE HAD TWO OCCURRENCES OF SCREWS FROM THE BUTTERFLY VALVES ON THE VTCS SYSTEM FROM THE INTAKE OF MY 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE 5 COMING LOOSE AND BEING SUCKED INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER OF THE VEHICLE. EACH INSTANCE HAS CAUSED THE PISTON TO KNOCK THE SCREW INTO THE SPARK PLUG, THEREBY CAUSING FAILURE OF A SPARK PLUG, WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO MISFIRE TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS UNDRIVABLE, THEREBY LEAVING ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS MISDIAGNOSED (SPARK PLUG REPLACED). THE SECOND WAS DIAGNOSED CORRECTLY AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE 2.0L FS-ZE MAZDA ENGINE. MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM. FOR MORE INFORMATION TO DEMONSTRATE THE PREVALENCE OF THE PROBLEM, PLEASE VISIT HTTP://WWW.MSPROTEGE.COM AND SEARCH USING THE KEYWORDS "VCTS" AND "SCREW". YOU WILL SEE MANY THREADS WHERE PEOPLE ARE DISCUSSING THIS PROBLEM. *NM

• 07/30/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ONE OF THE BUTTERFLY VALVES ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FELL OFF COMPLETELY. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE LAST OF THE TWO SCREWS HOLDING IT ON CAME LOOSE AND FELL-OFF AND WAS SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE. WHEN THE PART WAS DISMANTLED, THERE WERE ONLY FIVE OF THE ORIGINAL EIGHT SCREWS REMAINING. ONLY ONE OF THE FOUR VALVES WAS COMPLETELY CONNECTED WHEN THE UNIT WAS OPENED. I WAS DRIVING NORMALLY DOWN ROAD AND LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR. THE EVENT HAPPENED ON 7/22/05 AND THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP STATED THAT ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE SEEN THIS OCCUR BEFORE, THERE IS NO TSB OR RECALL. I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THIS PART OF THE MANIFOLD AT A COST OF MORE THAT $1000 DOLLARS. ON A MAZDA ENTHUSIST WEBSITE THAT I FREQUENT, AT LEAST TEN OTHER MEMBERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH RESULTS VARYING FROM COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT, TO THE SAME SUPPOSED FIX AS I NEED. THAT INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT "WWW.PROTEGE5.COM" THE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE IN NUMEROUS PLACES IF YOU SEARCH THERE FOR "ENGINE NOISE." *JB

• 07/27/2008· SEAT BELTS

  THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BEGAN TO STICK WITHIN THE SECOND YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. CURRENTLY, IT WILL LATCH, BUT DURING DRIVING, IT WILL UNLATCH AND THE SEATBELT LIGHT WILL COME ON. IT FLUCTUATES BETWEEN STICKING TO THE POINT OF HAVING TO PULL QUITE VIOLENTLY TO UNLATCH IT, OR NOT LATCHING AT ALL. *TR

• 07/26/2006· STEERING,TIRES

  I HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE TIRES ON MY 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE. FIRST THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO GET USED TO THE LOW-RISE TIRES. I DIDN'T DRIVE IN ANY SNOW THAT FIRST WINTER, BUT THE WINTER OF 2004-2005 I WAS DOING DOUGHNUTS ON OVERPASSES & STREETS. THE DEALER GAVE ME THE CUSTOMER CARE PHONE # BECAUSE "THEY DON'T HANDLE TIRES". CUSTOMER CARE SAID, "I CAN'T HELP IF YOU LIVE IN EXTREME CONDITIONS." ALL HE COULD OFFER ME FOR A SOLUTION WAS TO BUY WINTER TIRES & RIMS (AS THEY AREN'T INTERCHANGEABLE) FOR ABOUT $2,000. A MAN IN MY OFFICE SAID HIS FAMILY WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIRS. I TRIED TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH MAZDA TO NO AVAIL. I THOUGHT I DIDN'T HAVE ANY RECOURSE, BUT RECENTLY I WAS IN FOR SERVICE TWICE & A SERVICE REP TOLD ME HE HAS THE SAME MODEL CAR & IT IS SO UNSAFE HE WON'T LET HIS WIFE DRIVE IT. HE ENDED UP PUTTING ON OVERSIZED TIRES TO MAKE IT SAFER. SHORTLY THEREAFTER A SALESPERSON WHO SAID HE WAS IN SERVICE PRIOR TO SALES SAID THAT THEY KNEW THEY PUT THREE-SEASON TIRES ON THAT MODEL. HE ALSO RECOMMENDED BUYING A SET OF WINTER TIRES/RIMS AS THEY DON'T MAKE ALL-SEASON TIRES FOR THAT CAR. BOTH OF THESE MEN SAID I SHOULD CALL THE CUST CARE LINE AGAIN & NOTIFY YOU IF THEY WOULDN'T HELP. THE DEALER WOULD NOT GIVE ME THE CC #. I AM A GOOD DRIVER MY DAD TAUGHT DRIVING SCHOOL & LEARNED TO DRIVE FROM HIM. THESE TIRES ARE DANGEROUS. I SHAKE EVERY TIME I HAVE TO DRIVE IN THE SNOW & AVOID IT AT ALL COSTS. I HAVE LEARNED TO PROTECT MYSELF IN THE RAIN (THE CAR SLIPS); I WATCH THAT NO CARS ARE CLOSE WHEN I PULL OUT OF A STOP SO I DON'T SLIDE INTO THEM. I ALSO HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RUN AROUND ABOUT OTHER DEFECTS (IT'S VERY HARD TO PUT THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE; THEY TOLD ME TO JUST PLAY WITH IT, TRY PUTTING IT IN 1ST GEAR, THEN TRY REVERSE. THEY SAID IT WOULD LOOSEN IN TIME, BUT IT HAS ONLY GOTTEN HARDER). PLEASE HELP ME. I AM A WOMAN ALONE & NEED ASSISTANCE IN THIS. *JB

• 07/23/2013· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

• 07/22/2003· STEERINGCrash

  WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL FELT LOOSE, THE CONSUMER LOSS CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHICH JUMPED THE CURB AND HIT A POLE.*MR NO ONE WAS INJURED, BUT THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE FOR MAZDA TO CORRECT ALL OF THE 2,000 MAZDA SPEED PROTEGE VEHICLES BEFORE SERIOUS INJURY OCCURS. *PH *JB

• 07/20/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  MAZDA HEADLIGHT HARNESS - THE LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY GOING OUT (DURING THE PAST 4 YEARS). I WENT TO REPLACE THE BULB YEARS AGO AND IT CAME BACK ON AS I WIGGLED THE HARNESS TO PULL THE BULB OUT. OVER 80 TIMES SINCE THEN I'VE HAD TO SMACK THE HEADLIGHT TO GET IT TO COME BACK ON. THIS HAPPENS PREDOMINANTLY WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 0 CELSIUS (FREEZING). THIS HAS OCCURRED ON MY 2001 MAZDA MPV (WHICH I GOT RID OF THIS YEAR) AND MY 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE WHICH I STILL HAVE. ONCE IT HAPPENED ON MY PROTEGE I KNEW IT WASN'T AN MPV SITUATION, IT MUST BE A MAZDA PROBLEM AND LIKELY RELATES TO THE SUPPLIER THAT MAKES THE HARNESS FOR THE HEADLIGHTS. MANY TIMES MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN 'FLASHED' BY OTHER DRIVERS FOR NOT HAVING LIGHTS ON. *KB

• 07/19/2005· POWER TRAIN

  2003 MAZDA PROTEGE (MANUAL TRANSMISSION); HAVE TROUBLE GOING INTO REVERSE AND SOMETIMES INTO FIRST GEAR; ALSO, UNABLE TO TAKE KEY OUT OF IGNITION; DRIVER WINDOW FEELS LIKE IT IS ROLLING OFF TRACK WHEN ROLLED DOWN. PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE FIRST BEGAN SOME TIME IN MARCH 2005.

• 07/09/2007· SEAT BELTS

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LATCH AND THE SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THE LIGHT AS LONG AS THE BELT WOULD LATCH. HOWEVER, THE BELT NO LONGER LATCHES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 93,000.

• 07/08/2004· POWER TRAIN

  UNDER LOW ACCELERATION BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND AND BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS THERE IS A VERY LOW FREQUENCY NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GENERATED BY A VIBRATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW. I HAVE HAD IT IN TWICE FOR REPAIR TO NO AVAIL AND THE DEALER REFUSES TO KEEP THE CAR OVERNIGHT TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE FURTHER.*AK

• 07/06/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED SIX TIMES SINCE DECEMBER OF 2003. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND COULD NOT FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. *AK

• 07/05/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  PURCHASED A PRE OWNED 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE WITH APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES ON IT. I DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 4000 MILES BEFORE THERE WAS AN ENGINE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO EVENTS THAT LEAD UP TO THIS INCIDENT. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER OF PURCHASE. A SCREW ON AN THE INTAKE CAME LOOSE AND WENT INTO THE ENGINE CYLINDER. DAMAGE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO NEED TO BE REPLACED. MAZDA HAS RECALL 3005C FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR THE EXACT YEAR, MODEL, AND ENGINE AS THE ONE I PURCHASED. HOWEVER, THE VIN NUMBER WAS A FEW THOUSAND NUMBERS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL RANGE. IM STUCK WITH A 15,000 PIECE OF JUNK. *AK

• 07/02/2015· STRUCTURE

  SEVERE RUSTING OF LEFT AND RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANELS LEADING INTO REAR OF ROCKER PANELS DUE TO POOR RUST PROTECTION FROM FACTORY.

• 06/29/2004· EQUIPMENT

  THE STEREO UNIT ON THE MAZDA SPEED PROTEGE IS VERY DEFECTIVE. THIS UNIT IS MANUFACTURED BY KENWOOD. THE STEREO SUFFERS FROM MULTIPLE INTERMITENT FAILURES AND PROBLEMS. THE MOST NOTICABLE ARE AS FOLLOWS: VOLUME DIMS AND SURGES AFTER THE STEREO IS ON WHEN USING THE DEFROSTER ON THE VEHICLE. SUB-WOOFER BLOWS OUT UNDER NORMAL USAGE, PRONOUNCED WHINE WITH THE ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE WHEN LISTENING TO THE RADIO, RANDOM LOCK UP OF THE STEREO FACE PLATE REQUIRING USING THE SYSTEM RESET BUTTON TO GET IT TO OPERATE NORMALLY AGAIN. THE CAR HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALER 3 TIMES FOR THESE ISSUES AND EXCEPT FOR THE BLOWN SUB-WOOFER REPORTS NO PROBLEM FOUND. THE SUB-WOOFER HAS BEEN ON ORDER FOR 2 MONTHS WITH NO EXPECTED DELIVERY DATE. *AK