Protege (1st)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
FSD
2.0L 4-cyl / 117 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
FPD
110 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
ZMD
1.6L 4-cyl / 95 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Mazda Protege, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2000-2003 Mazda Protege
On a used 2000-2003 Mazda Protege, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (67), the transmission and drivetrain (64) and the seats, seat belts and interior (57). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 67 owner complaints on the 2000-2003 Mazda Protege about the engine, all engines combined.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 64 owner complaints on the 2000-2003 Mazda Protege about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Latch and tug every seat belt, move every seat through its full travel and lock each seatback.Safety. NHTSA has 57 owner complaints on the 2000-2003 Mazda Protege about the seats, seat belts and interior.
- With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 56 owner complaints on the 2000-2003 Mazda Protege about the cooling system, all engines combined.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 55 owner complaints on the 2000-2003 Mazda Protege about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
Recalls (6)
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.
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.
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.
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.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. 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.
Show 1 older recall
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME LEFT SIDE REAR BRAKE HOSES WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY. BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR.
Alternatives in Compact Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2000-2003 Mazda Protege complaints?
Owners have filed 370 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2003 Mazda Protege. The systems they name most often are the engine, the transmission and the interior.
Is the 2000-2003 Mazda Protege a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 370 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2003 Mazda Protege. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2003 Mazda Protege have?
NHTSA has 370 owner complaints on file for the 2000-2003 Mazda Protege as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2000-2003 Mazda Protege?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls covering some 2000-2003 Mazda Protege vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Mazda Protege?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the transmission and the interior, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the Protege have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000-2003 Mazda Protege. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 370 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.