Complaints
68
Crashes
18
Fires
1
Injuries
16
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2001 Mazda Protege Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#16 complaints
Airbags
Avg mileage:70,037 mi
Crash-related:5
#24 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Crash-related:4
#33 complaints
Automatic Transmission
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2001 Mazda Protege.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 6 | 5 | — | 70,037 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 | 4 | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering:Column Locking:Anti-Theft Device | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 | — | — | — |
Airbags
6
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
70,037
Air Bags:Frontal
4
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Column Locking:Anti-Theft Device
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2001 Mazda Protege. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Mazda Protege Years
2001 Mazda Protege — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2001 Mazda Protege reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2001 Mazda Protege has 68 NHTSA complaints, 18 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 6 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2001 Mazda Protege?
Top reported problems: Airbags (6 complaints, avg 70,037 mi); Air Bags:Frontal (4 complaints); Automatic Transmission (3 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2001 Mazda Protege?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 70,037 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2001 Mazda Protege?
NHTSA complaints for the 2001 Mazda Protege include 18 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 16 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2001 Mazda Protege have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2001 Mazda Protege as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2001 Mazda Protege?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Mazda Protege reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2001 Mazda Protege
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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