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2001 Mazda ProtegeProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 50 owner complaints about the 2001 Mazda Protege, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2001 Mazda Protege
53
CarFlaw IndexSolid year13% below the Protege median · #9 of 14 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints5022 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage48kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 16, 2020. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 Mazda Protege has problems

50 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags119
Engine and engine cooling80
Power train60
Service brakes, hydraulic52
Tires40
Fuel system, gasoline30
Equipment30
Seat belts32
Vehicle speed control30
9 other systems166

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2001 Mazda Protege recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 01V-024 · Feb 1, 2001 · 13,000 vehicles

Risk. BRAKE PERFORMANCE WOULD BE DEGRADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mazda.

Best & worst years

2001 vs. every other Protege year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Protege median. How we score

'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2001 Mazda Protege safety ratings

2001 Mazda Protege 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2001 Mazda Protege frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Protege owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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.
Complaint 10789026 · Nov 7, 2015 · 168,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10142477 · Nov 11, 2005 · 48,000 miles
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A 3 CAR FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER HEAD IMPACTED THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING SEVERE HEADACHES. *AK
Complaint 10075535 · Jun 2, 2004 · 50,000 miles

Own a 2001 Protege?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.