2003 MAZDA PROTEGE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
145
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
9
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE
The 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE has received a total of 145 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING. 9 technical service bulletins have been issued by Mazda Motor Corp. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Seat Belts (15 complaints), Engine And Engine Cooling (13 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingengine (13 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE, potentially affecting up to 63,563 vehicles.
Recall 09E025000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 42,540 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
View full details →Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
View full details →Recall 06E038000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 724 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
View full details →Recall 06E064000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 4,029 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE
145 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE AND TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS TAKEN APART AND THE MECHANIC FOUND A SCREW INSIDE OF THE INTAKE VALVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000.
ROUGH IDLE CAUSING TO STALL WHILE DRIVING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR CYLINDER MISFIRE, FOUND CYLINDER 4 WITH A BENT SPARK PLUG WITH THE GAP CLOSED. REPLACED ALL 4 PLUGS CAR RAN FINE FOR A FEW MONTHS ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE CYLINDER MISFIRE WITH CYLINDER 4 WITH ANOTHER BENT PLUG GAP CLOSED. POSSIBLE SOMETHING LOOSE INSIDE CYLINDER 4 CAUSING THE MISFIRE ISSUES TO THE PLUG. MILEAGE 130,280
2003 MAZDA PROTEGE WOULD NOT PASS 2019 VIRGINIA SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. DEALER CANNOT REPLACE BECAUSE MAZDA HAS DISCONTINUED THAT PART. UNDER VIRGINIA LAW, CAR CANNOT BE OPERATED WITHOUT VALID INSPECTION CERTIFICATE. INSPECTION DISCLOSED NO OTHER DISQUALIFYING CONDITIONS.
EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE AREA INSIDE AND OUTSIDE IN TIRES ... MANY SEVERAL WORKSHOPS CAN NOT CORRECT THE ALIGNMENT FAULT ... THE STEERING WHEEL GO TO THE RIGHT AND I HAVE TO FORCE TO THE LEFT ... ALL THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION PART ARE NEW , INCLUDING THE SHOCK ABSORBER IS NEW AND CONTROL ARM AND LINK ROD AND BUSHING ...THE CENTRIC BOLT NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE ...I SEE OVER ETHERNET MANY PEOPLE HAS THE SAME FAIL IN THIS CAR ..I BUY THIS CAR NEW AND NEVER CRASHED OR OR MISTREATED ..I REPORT THIS IN THIS YEAR BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME IT'S A MANUFACTURING FAULT..AND I HAVE HAD TOO MUCH EXPENSES AND I CAN NOT SOLVE ... RIGHT NOW I NEED TO BUY OTHER TIRES...PLEASE I NEED A SOLUTION ...I SEND A ETHERNET PHOTO AND THE CAR AND COLOR IS SAME ...TO REMEMBER THE MILLEAGE VALOR AND YEAR PRESENTED IN THE NEXT QUESTION IN THIS FORM IS APPROXIMATED ...THANK YOU I WAIT YOU RESPONSE
EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE AREA INSIDE AND OUTSIDE IN TIRES ... MANY SEVERAL WORKSHOPS CAN NOT CORRECT THE ALIGNMENT FAULT ... THE STEERING WHEEL GO TO THE RIGHT AND I HAVE TO FORCE TO THE LEFT ... ALL THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION PART ARE NEW , INCLUDING THE SHOCK ABSORBER IS NEW AND CONTROL ARM AND LINK ROD AND BUSHING ...THE CENTRIC BOLT NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE ...I SEE OVER ETHERNET MANY PEOPLE HAS THE SAME FAIL IN THIS CAR ..I BUY THIS CAR NEW AND NEVER CRASHED OR OR MISTREATED ..I REPORT THIS IN THIS YEAR BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME IT'S A MANUFACTURING FAULT..AND I HAVE HAD TOO MUCH EXPENSES AND I CAN NOT SOLVE ... RIGHT NOW I NEED TO BUY OTHER TIRES...PLEASE I NEED A SOLUTION ...I SEND A ETHERNET PHOTO AND THE CAR AND COLOR IS SAME ...TO REMEMBER THE MILLEAGE VALOR AND YEAR PRESENTED IN THE NEXT QUESTION IN THIS FORM IS APPROXIMATED ...THANK YOU I WAIT YOU RESPONSE
Safety Rating for the 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE
Mazda Motor Corp. has issued 9 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
07-002-13-2842 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
A MUSTY/MILDEW TYPE ODOR MAY COME FROM THE VENTS WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING (A/C) SYSTEM IS OPERATING. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN THE A/C IS FIRST TURNED ON. THIS ODOR IS THE RESULT OF MOLD GROWTH IN THE A/C EVAPORATOR/COOLING UNIT WHICH IS CAUSED BY CONDENSATION, DUST, AND POLLEN WITHIN...
00-001-13-2748A — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
MAZDA HAS DEVELOPED FACTORY RECOMMENDED SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE SERVICES THAT SUPPORT ALL MAJOR VEHICLE SYSTEMS. MAZDA RECOMMENDS DEALERS FOLLOW THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE TABLES AS CITED IN THE VEHICLE-SPECIFIC WORKSHOP MANUAL OR OWNERS MANUAL. SERVICES PERFORMED OUTSIDE OF MAZDAS FACTORY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE ARE NOT RECOMMENDED. THESE SERVICES ARE UNNECESSARY AND CREATE UNNEEDED...
0101107 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
CONVERTER ASSEMBLY BREAKS AT WELD. *KB
0100207 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
WHISTLE NOISE AT IDLE, FUEL CUT UNDER BOOST, MIL ILLUMINATED, DTC P0171 SET. *KB
0103406 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHISTLE NOISE AT IDLE FUEL CUT UNDER BOOST, MIL ILLUMINATED, DTC P0171 SET. *KB
3005C — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
THE TIGHTENING TORQUE OF THE SCREWS USED FOR MOUNTING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SHUTTER VALVE MAY HAVE BEEN LOWER THAN THE SPECIFICATION, CAUSING ROUGH IDLING, NOISE AND/OR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATION TO ENGINE MISFIRING ADVERSELY AFFECTING THE EXHAUST EMISSIONS. EMISSION RECALL 3005C TO INSPECT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SHUTTER AND VARIABLE...
0102203 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HESITATION AND/OR INTERMITTENT STUMBLE UNDER ACCELERATION. *TT UPDATE. *TT
0500204 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CRACKING OF THE A/T GEAR INDICATOR LETTERING PLATE. MODELS TO INCLUDE ARE MAZDA PROTEGE5 2001-2003. *TT
0200303 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
A CLUNK/KNOCK NOISE CAN BE HEARD FROM THE REAR STABILIZER BAR WHEN DRIVING OVER UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE SUCH AS SPEED BUMPS. 2001 MP3 PROTEGE & 2003-2003.5 MAZDASPEED PROTEGE. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the MAZDA PROTEGE
- 1998 MAZDA PROTEGE — 53 complaints
- 1999 MAZDA PROTEGE — 102 complaints
- 2000 MAZDA PROTEGE — 126 complaints
- 2001 MAZDA PROTEGE — 68 complaints
- 2002 MAZDA PROTEGE — 133 complaints
- 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE (current)
- 2004 MAZDA PROTEGE — 0 complaints
- 2005 MAZDA PROTEGE — 0 complaints
- 2006 MAZDA PROTEGE — 0 complaints
Other MAZDA Models
- MAZDA MAZDA3 — 3,974 total complaints
- MAZDA 626 — 3,877 total complaints
- MAZDA CX-5 — 3,005 total complaints
- MAZDA MAZDA6 — 2,906 total complaints
- MAZDA TRIBUTE — 2,830 total complaints
- MAZDA CX-9 — 1,786 total complaints
- MAZDA CX-7 — 1,539 total complaints
- MAZDA MPV — 1,156 total complaints