2001 Mazda Protege

50 complaints on file, page 1 of 3.

1. Filed Oct 16, 2020Failure Aug 24, 2020170,000 milesMidvale, UTSeat belts, Unknown or other

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11364709
2. Filed Feb 12, 2017Failure Jan 21, 2017153,000 milesGilbert, AZEngine, Body, WheelsCrash

   TAKATA RECALL I BOUGHT BY 2001 MAZDA PROTEGE A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND WAS NEVER SENT ANYTHING ABOUT ANY RECALLS. AFTER PULLING A CAR FAX REPORT THERE IS 5 RECALLS ALL HAVING TO DO WITH HEADLIGHTS. I'VE RECEIVED A TICKET FOR NO HEADLIGHTS ON WHEN THEY WERE ON AND WAS RECENCTLY IN A CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO NOT SEEING THE OTHER VEHICLE . THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE IS ON THE FRONT END INCLUDING DAMAGING MY RADIATOR WHICH NEEDS TO REPLACED, BUMBER AND GRILL. I HAD ONLY LIABILITY INSURANCE ON MY VEHICLE AND THEY ONLY WOULD PAY FOR THE OTHER CAR THAT WAS HIT. WHY WAS I NEVER INFORMED OF RECALL ISSUES? I'VE ALREADY PAID FOR THE NO HEADLIGHT TICKET AT NIGHT AND I'M FRUSTRATED BECAUSE THEY WERE ILLUMINATED. PLEASE DO NOT TELL ME I HAVE NO RECALL ISSUES BECAUSE I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND HAVE 5 RECALLS ALL TO DO WITH LIGHTS WHICH CAN RESULT IN A CRASH. MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION TURNING WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURED AT NIGHT.

   NHTSA complaint 10954122
3. Filed Nov 7, 2015Failure Nov 2, 2015168,000 milesBedford, TXAir bagsCrash1 injured

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 10789026
4. Filed Nov 6, 2013Failure Nov 4, 2013131,000 milesLafayette, INFuel system, Gasoline

   THE FUEL TANK HAS RUSTED AND THERE IS A NOTICEABLE GAS SMELL. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10551135
5. Filed Oct 25, 2013Failure Jun 1, 201322,000 milesAngier, NCEngine

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA PROTEGE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT THE ENGINE FAILED TO START ACCOMPANIED BY AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE OFTEN WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. UPDATED 05/28/14 MA THE CONSUMER STATED MODEL YEAR 2003 VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE SAME FAILURE BY THE MANUFACTURER. BUT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO REPAIR MODEL YEARS 2001-2002. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS CONDITION DOES NOT KEEP THE ENGINE FROM STARTING. IT CAN AND HAS CAUSED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE, WHICH SHUTS DOWN THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. UPDATED 05/29/2014 *JS

   NHTSA complaint 10549544
6. Filed Sep 29, 2011Failure Sep 8, 2011Canton, MIFuel system, Gasoline

   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

   NHTSA complaint 10427966
7. Filed Feb 17, 2009Failure Feb 17, 2009154,000 milesVilla Rica, GAAutomatic transmission

   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

   NHTSA complaint 10259137
8. Filed Jul 16, 2007Failure May 15, 2007Alexandria, VAElectrical system

   VEHICLE: 2001 MAZDA PROTEGE LX 2.0 LITER ENGINE FAILURE: KEY IS INSERTED IN IGNITION AND TURNED, STARTER WILL TURN OVER BUT ENGINE WILL NOT START. OCCURRENCE: INTERMITTENTLY, 3 TIMES IN 2 MONTHS. SERVICE: HAD IT TOWED EACH TIME TO A CERTIFIED MAZDA DEALERSHIP. FIRST TIME - THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION COILS WITH ANOTHER VEHICLES COILS AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. THEY PUT THE ORIGINAL COILS BACK IN AND IT STARTED UP FINE. SECOND TIME - THEY REPLACED THE PCM THIRD TIME - HAD IT TOWED TO A DIFFERENT MAZDA DEALERSHIP. AFTER TOWING, THE VEHICLE STARTED RIGHT UP. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT REGULAR INTERVALS AS RECOMMENDED BY MAZDA SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW 6 YEARS AGO. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH MAZDA CORPORATION TO CHECK FOR RECALLS OR KNOWN ISSUES AND WAS TOLD THERE ARE NONE FOR MY VEHICLE. AFTER EXPLAINING MY PROBLEM TO THEM, I WAS GIVEN NO SUGGESTIONS FOR RECOURSE. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, BUT LEAVES ME WITH AN UNRELIABLE VEHICLE. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10196516
9. Filed Apr 22, 2007Failure Apr 20, 200785,000 milesHammond, INAir bagsCrash2 injured

   FRONT END COLLISION, AIR-BAG FAILED RESULTING IN INJURIES. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10188539
10. Filed May 30, 2006Failure May 14, 200668,000 milesCache, OKWiringFire

    I WAS AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT WHEN THEY ANNOUNCED A MAZDA PROTEGE WAS ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT. FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE WERE CALLED. FIRE WAS PUT OUT AND FIRE DEPARTMENT LOOKED TO FIND SOURCE OF FIRE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS ELECTRICAL. IT STARTED IN THE WIRING AT THE LEFT REAR DOOR. THE FIREMAN ASKED WHAT WAS IN THE TRUNK (MEANING HIGHPOWERED AMPS). I TOLD HIM EVERYTHING IN THE CAR WAS ORIGINAL. NO ADDED EQUIPMENT. HE SAID THAT THE ONLY TIME HE HAD SEEN A FIRE IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM LIKE MINE WAS AS A RESULT OF OVERLOAD FROM ADDED SPEAKER/ AMPS. MY MAZDA 2001 PROTEGE IS BEING TOTALED BY FARMERS INSURANCE BUT THEY WILL NOT HAVE IT INVESTIGATED AS TO THE FAILURE. MAZDA HAS BEEN INFORMED AND OPENED A CASE BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING WITHOUT THE INSURANCE COMPANY'S INVESTIGATION. I AM NOW OUT A CAR THAT SHOULD HAVE LASTED ME TEN YEARS OR MORE. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR UNTIL THE FIRE. IF THE INSURANCE COMPANYS REFUSE TO INVESTIGATE THEN HOW DO WE, THE CONSUMER, KNOW WHEN WE ARE IN DANGER. WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE WITH EITHER MY INSURANCE COMPANY OR WITH MAZDA. *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10158631
11. Filed Dec 22, 2005Failure Mar 29, 2005Taylor, MILugs/nuts/bolts/studs

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10146503
12. Filed Nov 11, 2005Failure Mar 28, 200548,000 milesST. Augustine, FLFrontalCrash1 injured

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10142477
13. Filed Oct 27, 2005Failure Nov 19, 200440,666 milesTrophy Club, TXExhaust system, Fuel system, Fuel injection system

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10140948
14. Filed Jul 21, 2005Failure Jul 16, 2005Minocqua, WICatalytic convertor, Gas recirculation valve (egr valve)

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10129637
15. Filed May 23, 2005Failure May 22, 2005Claremore, OKAir conditioner

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10121901
16. Filed Apr 14, 2005Failure Mar 30, 200551,850 milesGahanna, OHService brakes, Caliper, Pads, Rotor

    WHILE ON A 300 MILE TRIP,\ I NOTICED A SLIGHT NOISE COMMING FROM MY REAR END. UPON MY RETURN HOME, THE NOISE GOT WORSE AND I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND FOUND THE BRAKE CALIPERS MALFUNCTIONED, AND A COMPLETE REAR END BRAKE JOB COSTING OVER $1,000.00 WAS REQUIRED. SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 52,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS LESS THAN FOUR YEARS OLD I TOOK IT TO THE MAZDA DEALER, AND WAS TOLD SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. ALL THEY COULD DO WAS OFF $175.00 OFF THE BRAKE JOB(STILL OVER $1,000.00). ON A VEHICLE THIS NEW I FEEL THE CALIPERS SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. THE BRAKES STILL HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED AS I AM STILL TRYING TO HAVE MAZDA PAY MORE OF THE COST. REPLACEMENT PARTS NEEDED ARE 2 REAR CALIPERS, 2 ROTORS, 2 SETS OF BRAKE PADS AND 2 BRAKE LINE HOSES.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 10117894
17. Filed Apr 4, 2005Failure Mar 17, 200531,483 milesSanta Rosa, CAEngine and engine cooling

    I HEARD A STRANGE SOUND EVERY TIME I STARTED TO ACCELERATE WHICH I FIRST THOUGHT TO BE THE CAR IN THE NEXT LANE. I DROVE ONE MORE BLOCK AND TURNED THE CORNER, BUT THE STEERING WAS LOCKING AND I HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY TURNING. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC, COMBUSTION GASES WERE IN THE COOLING SYSTEM AND THE ENGINE HAD A CRACKED CYLINDER. THE CAR IS FOUR YEARS OLD (JUST OUT OF WARRANTY) WITH ONLY 31,483 MILES ON IT. I'M A GOOD DRIVER, 73 YEARS OLD WITH A CLEAN DRIVING RECORD AND HAVE NEVER HAD PROBLEMS WITH ANY CAR AS A RESULT OF MY DRIVING HABITS. I'VE OWNED MAZDA'S SINCE 1987 AND LOVED THEM (EVEN THIS CAR) BUT THIS WILL PROBABLY BE MY LAST. THE REPAIR REQUIRED A REBUILT ENGINE AT A COST OF $ 3,223.14.. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 10116367
18. Filed Mar 2, 2005Failure Feb 21, 2005Brooklyn, NYEngine

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10113267
19. Filed Aug 5, 2004Failure Jun 25, 200453,478 milesPiedmont, SCAutomatic transmission

    WHILE DRIVING MY MAZDA PROTEGE TO WORK WHEN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT DOWN INTO FIRST GEAR. AFTER SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AND BACK TO DRIVE, TRANS SHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR. DROVE NORMALLY FOR NEXT 15 MILES TO WORK. WHEN LEAVING FOR LUNCH, TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY AFTER 15 SECONDS IN DRIVE. CAR IS 3 YRS 3 MONTHS OLD, WAS BOUGHT NEW AND HAD 53,000 MILES AT TIME OF FAILURE. CAR HAD BEEN CAREFULLY MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER'S SCHEDULE. DEALER'S SERVICE REP SAID CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND WOULD NOT CONSIDER ANY ASSISTANCE DUE TO FACT THAT THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN MAINTAINED THERE. I CONTACTED AREA MANUFACTURER'S REP AND WAS TOLD SAME THING. TRIED ONE LAST TIME TO GET HELP BY CALLING DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER - HE WAS ABLE TO GET MAZDA TO PAY FOR HALF OF A REBUILT TRANSMISSION (ABOUT $800), BUT BY THIS TIME (10 DAYS AFTER THE EVENT) I HAD ALREADY HAD THE CAR REPAIRED (REBUILT TRANS INSTALLED) AT ANOTHER SHOP, SO THE ASSISTANCE OFFER WAS WITHDRAWN. TOTAL REPAIRS COST ME $1835 (AS OPPOSED TO $2650 FROM MAZDA), AND CAR WAS OUT OF SERVICE FOR 9 DAYS. TRANSMISSIONS SHOULD NOT FAIL AT 53,000 MILES. THE TRANS SHOP I DEALT WITH SAID THEY SEE MAZDA PROTEGES AND 626S QUITE OFTEN WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I AM TRYING TO PURSUE COMPLETE REIMBURSEMENT OF MY OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS, AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 10086275
20. Filed Jul 23, 2004Failure Jun 12, 2004Aylett, VATread/belt

    TREAD SEPARATION PROBLEM INVOLVING KUMHO ECSTA 711 TIRES.*MR THE VEHICLE FAILED THE VIRGINIA AUTO SAFTY INSPECTION DUE TO A VIOLATION INVOLVING THE TWO FRONT KUMHO TIRES. THE INSPECTOR EXPLAINED THAT THE TREAD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE TIRE DUE TO (HIS OPINION) A SHIFTING OF THE BELTS. *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10083733