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2003 Mazda ProtegeProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 120 owner complaints about the 2003 Mazda Protege, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

2003 Mazda Protege
38
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.6× the Protege median · #3 of 14 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints12028 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage67kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 16, 2020. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Mazda Protege has problems

120 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
Engine and engine cooling342
Seat belts172
Power train121
Suspension111
Air bags108
Tires101
Steering72
Engine60
Service brakes, hydraulic40
14 other systems297

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

0 recalls

2003 Mazda Protege recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Mileage at failure

When do engine and engine cooling problems start?

67kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 29 engine and engine cooling complaints. 76% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
9under 30k miles22under 100k miles7100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2003 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

2003 Mazda Protege safety ratings

2003 Mazda Protege 5-DR. Hatchback in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Protege owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

MY 03 PROTEGE HAS VICS SCREWS FALLING OUT AND ALL ISSUES THAT COMES WITH IT. MY CAR HAS BEEN PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY UNTOUCHED BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS DUE TO HOW MANY TIMES MY CAR HAS HAD ISSUES AND CANNOT PASS EMISSIONS. SO I HAVE TO TURN MY TAGS IN WITHIN THE MONTH BECAUSE…
Complaint 10450574 · Mar 7, 2012 · 100,000 miles
THE CAR SUFFERED A FAILURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHEREBY THE SCREWS INSIDE THE INTAKE HAD COME LOOSE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. IT IS UNCLEAR AT THIS TIME IF MY CAR IS COVERED UNDER THE CURRENT RECALL 3005 C. *TR
Complaint 10433610 · Oct 30, 2011 · 85,000 miles
THE TIGHTENING TORQUE OF THE SCREWS USED FOR MOUNTING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SHUTTER VALVE LOOSENED AND FELL OUT (1 INTO THE SPARK PLUGS AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO PLUGS AND COILS).CAUSED MISFIRING, AFFECTING THE EXHAUST EMISSIONS. THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2006 BUT NOT FOR MY CAR'S VIN - BUT MY CAR HAD THE…
Complaint 10422484 · Aug 29, 2011 · 56,197 miles

Own a 2003 Protege?

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