2003 Mazda PROTEGE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
120 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
67,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 89 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 120 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 14 | 11.7% |
| Braking behavior | 9 | 7.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 5.8% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 5.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 2.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 15 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 13 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 13 |
| Tires | 8 |
| Suspension | 7 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 6 |
| Steering | 6 |
Seat Belts: 15; Engine And Engine Cooling: 13; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 13; Tires: 8; Suspension: 7; Engine: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 6; Steering: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 24 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 17 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 14 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 17 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 24; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 17; 75,000 to 99,999: 14; 100,000 to 149,999: 17; 150,000 and above: 7
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (24). 31 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 27 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2007 | 10 |
| 2008 | 11 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
2002: 1; 2003: 8; 2004: 27; 2005: 9; 2006: 9; 2007: 10; 2008: 11; 2009: 7; 2010: 8; 2011: 8; 2012: 5; 2013: 6; 2014: 3; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 2
Pattern summary
Seat Belts leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 14 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 7 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 10000373 · 2002-12-26 (December 26, 2002)
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 NO…
Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000373 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003151 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)
ENGINE RATTLES WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER STARTING IN THE MORNING, AND PERIODICALLY RATTLES WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER STOPPING WHEN WARMED UP.
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003151 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005449 · 2003-02-07 (February 7, 2003)
RPM NEEDLE JUMPS FROM 700 RPMS TO 3000 RPMS WHEN STOPPED FOR NO REASON AND FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE OR WHEN COASTING. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. PH
Owner-reported narrative. 4,071 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005449 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014053 · 2003-04-07 (April 7, 2003)
STRUCTURE: SMALL RUST SPOTS LOCATED ON ALL EXTERIOR SURFACES. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 118 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014053 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020190 · 2003-05-20 (May 20, 2003)
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED A KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020190 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032451 · 2003-07-22 (July 22, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032451 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037557 · 2003-09-09 (September 9, 2003)
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, …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10037557 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044477 · 2003-10-21 (October 21, 2003)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044477 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.