2003 Mazda Protege Problems
Above Average Complaints
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2003 Mazda Protege.
Complaints
145
Crashes
18
Fires
3
Injuries
11
Fatalities
3
Recalls
0
Worst 2003 Mazda Protege Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#115 complaints
SEAT BELTS
Avg mileage:99,749 mi
Crash-related:2
#213 complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Avg mileage:49,719 mi
#313 complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Avg mileage:62,835 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Mazda Protege.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEAT BELTS | 15 | 2 | — | 99,749 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 13 | — | — | 49,719 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 13 | 1 | 1 | 62,835 mi | |
| TIRES | 8 | — | 1 | 36,461 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 7 | — | — | 100,400 mi | |
| ENGINE | 6 | — | — | 109,658 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 6 | — | — | 86,560 mi | |
| STEERING | 6 | 2 | — | 82,750 mi | |
| AIR BAGS | 5 | 3 | — | 80,416 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3 | — | 1 | 50,284 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 | — | — | 35,452 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE) | 3 | — | — | 21,667 mi | |
| SEATS | 3 | 1 | — | 170,000 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 3 | — | — | 124,706 mi | |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 3 | — | — | — | |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 2 | 2 | — | 1,204 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | 2 | 2 | — | 7,825 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 | — | — | 35,150 mi | |
| EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. | 2 | — | — | — | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 2 | — | — | 81,682 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 | — | — | 203,000 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 2 | 1 | — | 83,000 mi | |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 2 | — | — | 91,250 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 2 | — | — | — | |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE | 1 | — | — | 20,000 mi | |
| CHILD SEAT:BASE | 1 | — | — | — | |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 | 1 | — | 90,000 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL | 1 | — | — | 61,000 mi | |
| EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT | 1 | — | — | — | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 1 | — | — | 95,000 mi |
Other Mazda Protege Years
Wider context: See the full Mazda Protege reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
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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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