MAZDA PROTEGE · model year

2001 MAZDA PROTEGE

68 NHTSA complaints, 18 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001MAZDAPROTEGE carries 68 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 18 crashes, 1 fire, 16 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 PROTEGE is air bags with 6 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (4) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2001 PROTEGE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

68
Complaints
18
Crashes
1
Fires
16
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

68 filings

Crashes Reported

18 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS6
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR2
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
TIRES2
SEAT BELTS2
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE2
ENGINE2

Recalls (5)

06E06400017/07/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

09E02500011/05/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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

06E03800008/05/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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 EQUIPM

09E01200007/04/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

01V02400001/02/2001

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME LEFT SIDE REAR BRAKE HOSES WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY. BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR.

Recent Complaints

20201016SEAT BELTS

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.

Mileage: 170,000

20201016UNKNOWN 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.

Mileage: 170,000

20170212CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

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.

Mileage: 153,000

20170212CrashENGINE

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.

Mileage: 153,000

20170212CrashWHEELS

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.

Mileage: 153,000

20151107CrashAIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 168,000

20131106FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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

Mileage: 131,000

20131025ENGINE

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

Mileage: 22,000

20110929FUEL 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

20090217POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC 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

Mileage: 154,000

20070716ELECTRICAL 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

20070422CrashAIR BAGS

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

Mileage: 85,000

20060530FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

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

Mileage: 68,000

20060103WHEELS:LUGS/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

20051111CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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

Mileage: 48,000

20051027FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: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

Mileage: 40,666

20051027ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST 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

Mileage: 40,666

20050721ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

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

20050721ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL: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

20050523EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR 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

Compare 2001MAZDAPROTEGE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 MAZDA PROTEGE have?
The 2001 MAZDA PROTEGE has 68 NHTSA complaints, 18 crashes, 1 fires, 16 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2001 MAZDA PROTEGE?
Yes, the 2001 MAZDA PROTEGE has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 MAZDA PROTEGE?
The most-complained component for the 2001 MAZDA PROTEGE is AIR BAGS with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS:FRONTAL and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP.
Is the 2001 MAZDA PROTEGE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.