2001 Mazda PROTEGE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
50 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
45,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 50 complaints (12.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 16.0% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 16.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 10.0% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 6.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 4.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 2 |
Air Bags: 6; Air Bags:Frontal: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Electrical System: 2; Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 4
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 28 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 9 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2001: 10; 2002: 6; 2003: 9; 2004: 7; 2005: 8; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2009: 1; 2011: 1; 2013: 2; 2015: 1; 2017: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10005751 · 2003-02-12 (February 12, 2003)
THE CRUISE CONTROL SELECTOR ON THE 2001 MAZDA PROTEGE IS A SHORT STALK ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL. ONCE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ENABLED BY PRESSING A BUTTON IN THE END OF THE STALK, THE CRUISE SPEED IS SELECTED BY MOVING THE STALK DOWN. IF CRUISE IS INTERRUPTED, AS BY STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PRE-SET SPEED CAN BE RESUMED BY MOVING THE STALK UP. SINCE THE STALK CHANGES LOCATION WITH THE MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL, IT IS VERY EASY TO INADVERTENTLY OPERATE THE STALK. I HAVE HIT IT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THE WINDSHIELD…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005751 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008041 · 2003-02-24 (February 24, 2003)
TIRE SIDEWALL BUBBLE/BLISTER UPON HITTING SHALLOW POTHOLE - THIS IS 3RD TIRE OCCURANCE, ALL WITH SAME SIDEWALL BLISTER DAMAGE, OF THE FOUR OE TIRES DELIVERED ON MY 2001 MAZDA PROTEGE ES. THE OE TIRES ARE DUNLOP SP SPORT 5000M P195/50R16 83 V. DOT IDENTIFICATION: DOT EULV 4MD0901. ALL TIRES HAVE BEEN INFLATED TO 30-35 PSI AT TIME OF IMPACT AND THE POTHOLE WAS SUFFICIENTLY MINOR AS TO CAUSE NO DAMAGE TO THE ALLOY RIM OR ANY OTHER SCRAPE OR DAMAGE TO THE TIRE. THE SIDEWALL BLISTER WOULD FORM WITHIN SEVERAL MILES DRIVING AFTER IMPACT. I'VE NOW HAD …
Owner-reported narrative. 29,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008041 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015803 · 2003-04-14 (April 14, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEATS BELT UNLATCHED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 25,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015803 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023735 · 2003-06-25 (June 25, 2003)
FRONT OF BUMPER PAINT CHIPS. IT LOOKS AS LIKE VERY FINE PARTICLES OF CHIP ALL ALONG THE VERY FRONT PORTION OF THE BUMPER. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO MAZDA BOTH AT THE DEALERSHIP LEVEL AND WITH THE CORPORATE OFFICE. THE DEALERSHIPS DIAGNOSES WAS "OUTSIDE INFLUENCES", WHICH IS SO AMBIQUOUS AS TO MEAN NOTHING. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10023735 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024845 · 2003-06-24 (June 24, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH AND AS A RESULT OF A HEAD ON CRASH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ANY TIME.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024845 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025763 · 2003-07-09 (July 9, 2003)
BRAKE FAILURE ON MY 2001 MAZDA PROTEGE ES WHICH CAUSED ME TO REAR-END ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH VEHICLES ARE TOTAL LOSSES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 13,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025763 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026417 · 2003-07-02 (July 2, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVIING AND WITH NO WARNING STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP . DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026417 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037572 · 2003-09-09 (September 9, 2003)
I HAVE A 2001 MAZDA PROTEGE LX 2.0 AND IT HAS HAD A VIRBRATION IN THE STERRING COLUMN AND THROUGH OUT THE CAR. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR ON12-10-02. THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT IT IS NORMAL! IS IT?*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 15,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037572 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
01V024000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2001-02-01 (February 1, 2001)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME LEFT SIDE REAR BRAKE HOSES WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY. BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR.
Consequence: BRAKE PERFORMANCE WOULD BE DEGRADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE HOSE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE HOSE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
NHTSA campaign record ↗