2001 Mazda Protege: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 50 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (18% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Every time I go to fasten my seat belt into the buckle, it's always unbuckling it self. This happens in stationary and in motion. My radios screen cant be seen or read. The visor on the car broke off and nothing was pulling it.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2020
“Got into an accident at intersection , airbags did not work , as a result I have serious chest pains . Vehicle was in motion going straight while a vehicle at intersection was turning left across my road.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2015
“Fuel vapor odors began accumulating in the garage during an overnight park. When vapors became excessive, vehicle was parked outside. Eventually, the vapors became noticeable while idling at a traffic light.. Vehicle was taken to a car care clinic and diagnosed with a severely rusted fuel tank. I am grateful there was no fire from a spark. *tt”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“I purchased my 2001 mazda protege brand-new. At about 60,000 miles the overdrive light started blinking. Going from second gear into third, the transmission would buck. I took it to the dealership and was told that it needed a new transmission, so I had a new transmission installed. Now at 154,000 miles, it is happening again. I have read numerous complaints similar to mine. Mazda refuses to accept any responsibility for manufacturing faulty transmissions. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2009
“Dt: the contact stated that one hour after he purchased the vehicle the check engine light came on. He had it checked by a mechanic, and it was determined that catalytic converter failed. It was fixed because it was under warranty. The egr valve needed to be fixed. The mazda dealership gave consumer an estimate for over $200.00, and they will not fix it because it is not covered under the warranty. The mazda dealership where he purchased the vehicle said they would fix it under the warranty but he has to take the time to bring the vehicle back there again. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2005
“Dt: contact stated the air conditioner was not working when put on a higher fan setting. Consumer looked behind the dash and connector was starting to melt. *ak”Owner report · Equipment · May 2005
“2001 mazda protege left front tire detached from vehicle. *ts prior to the wheel coming off the consumer heard a noise and slowed down but before she could stop the wheel came off. The vehicle came to rest in a ditch then was later able to pull onto the right berm. The vehicle sustained damage to the left front tire and mount, left front quarter panel and driver's door (ohio traffic crash report). *nm”Owner report · Wheels · Mar 2005
“Vehicle was involved in a front end impact of at least 45 mph. This was almost a direct front collision, though damage was slightly greater on one side of front end that the other. Brakes were not applied so force of hit was at full speed. Available front end airbags did not deploy. My chest (sternum) impacted the steering wheel with extreme force, body was propelled forward in a twisting motion and neck and spine underwent severe trauma. I am still suffering from the injury after over 7 months. I called mazda local offices and main headquarters and was told they would do no investigation as it was time and cost prohibitive. Vehicle was totalled. *nm”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2005
“While driving approximately 30 mph driver heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front. The check engine light appeared on the dashboard, and vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2005
“Check engine light has been coming on for last year. Problem is with engine misfire/catalytic converter. We have replaced everything suggested: spark plugs, wires, catalytic converter, engine tune up, new tires, etc. Problem worsening. Car riding rougher, worsening gas mileage. *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 13 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: ALFAOTTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALFAOTTO AT 626-656-2992 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALFAOTTO.COM.
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME LEFT SIDE REAR BRAKE HOSES WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY. BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR.
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.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2001 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Protege by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Mazda Protege reliable?
NHTSA has 50 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Mazda Protege. The most complained-about area is air bags (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Mazda Protege problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 45,500 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Mazda Protege have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.