Mazda Protege Complaints

1,077 consumer complaints on file.

#10160055June 16, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SUSPENSION, TIRES
LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING MY 2000 MAZDA PROTEGE NEW FROM THE DEALER I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPT. WHILE ACCELERATING, THE CAR WOULD JERK AND BUCK AS IF I HIT A BRICK WALL. THE CAR CONTINUED TO DO THIS. EACH TIME I COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE DEPT. AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. I ALSO CONTACTED MAZDA CORP. TO INQUIRE IF THERE WERE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OR RECALLS. I WAS ADVISED THAT MAZDA HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. JUST SHY OF THREE YEARS OF OWNERSHIP I AGAIN TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM CONCERNING THE CAR'S ACCELERATION. THIS WAS MY THIRD REQUEST TO HAVE THE DEALER LOOK INTO THE MATTER. AGAIN, I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE CAR'S ACCELERATION CONTINUED TO ACT UP. ON MAY 26, 2006, WITH 66097 MILES ON THE VEHICLE MY ACCELERATOR STUCK AND I STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A CEMENT BASE LIGHT POLE. EACH TIME I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO SHIFT FROM REVERSE OR DRIVE, MY CAR WOULD TAKE OFF ON ITS OWN. I HAVE SENT THE NHTSA A DETAILED WRITTEN COMPLAINT VIA POSTAL MAIL. THAT COMPLAINT IS DATED JUNE 5, 2006. *NM THERE WAS A HIGH PITCHED NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE UPON ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE CONSUMER A EXPERIENCED A FLAT TIRE, HOWEVER UPON OPENING THE TRUNK SHE DISCOVERED THE TOOL KIT WAS NOT THERE. ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL THE TOOL KIT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE. UPDATED 07/10/06. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10160511June 12, 2006
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2000 PROTEGE LX ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK IN THE DEPRESSED POSITION. *TS AS A RESULT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. ON FEB 21, 2000 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE CONSUMER HEARD A HIGH PITCHED PING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE NOISE. THE LEFT REAR DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATED AND JERK WHILE ACCELERATING.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158936June 4, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:THERE ARE TWO SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION WHICH ARE POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS. 1)WHEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION FREQUENTLY FAILS TO ENGAGE. DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR FROM A STOP RESULTS IN A RACING ENGINE AND ALMOST NO FORWARD MOVEMENT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING ONTO A HIGH-SPEED INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WITH OTHER CARS BEHIND AND AROUND YOU. DEALER MECHANICS OFFER EXPLANATIONS SUCH AS NOT REALLY A PROBLEM, DRIVE IT LIKE IT IS. THIS DEALER HAD THE CAR FOR OVER A WEEK. ANOTHER DEALER (SUGGESTED BY MAZDA AFTER CONTACTING THEM) SAYS WE NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT OUR EXPENSE. THIS PROBLEM IS WORSENING. 2)OVERDRIVE WARNING LIGHT ON DASH BLINKS ON WITH NO APPARENT REASON. WHILE THIS SITUATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS LOCKED IN HIGH GEAR. ACCELERATING FROM A STOP IS ONCE AGAIN A DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS EXPERIENCE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158867June 2, 2006
CHILD SEAT:BASE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE INSTALLING THE INFANT CHILD SEAT THE ANGLE ADJUSTMENT ON THE BASE BROKE DUE TO THE ADJUSTMENT PEGS. THE EVENFLO MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. THE INFANT CHILD SEAT IS AN EVENFLO EMBRACE 5 MODEL NUMBER 5481586 BUILT ON AUGUST 5, 2005. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE INFORMATION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158631May 30, 2006
ELECTRICAL 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 WHEN WE ARE IN DANGER. WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE WITH EITHER MY INSURANCE COMPANY OR WITH MAZDA. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157465May 12, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PULLED OVER BUT CONTINUED TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED, THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER HAD BLOWN A SPARK PLUG THROUGH THE MOTOR. THE SPARK PLUG WAS IN 3 PIECES, THE PLUG WIRES WERE STILL CONNECTED TO THE TOP OF THE PLUG, THE THREADED PORTION OF THE PLUG WAS STILL IN THE CYLINDER, AND THE THIRD PIECE WAS INSIDE THE ENGINE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. UPDATED 05/30/2006. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156580May 2, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY ENGINE FAILED CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY. MY CAR REQUIRED ABOUT $1,000 WORTH OF REPAIRS, USING USED PARTS, AND I HAVE PERMANENT ENGINE DAMAGE THAT WILL ULTIMATELY SHORTEN THE LIFE OF MY ENGINE. THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO LOOSE SCREWS LOCATED IN THE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD, THAT ALLOWED FOR A BAFFLE OR BUTTERFLY VALVE TO BREAK AND ENTER MY ENGINE. THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM WAS RECALLED BY MAZDA FOR VEHICLES MADE FROM MARCH OF 2003 TO JULY OF 2003, MINE WAS MANUFACTURED IN FEBRUARY OF 2003, AND THEREFORE WAS NOT RECALLED. I KNOW OF AT LEAST THREE OTHER PEOPLE WHO ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS VERY SAME ISSUE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I HAVE HAD TWO SEPARATE MAZDA SERVICE MANAGERS CONFIRM THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL - LOOSE SCREWS IN AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD. I NEED THIS INVESTIGATED TO DETERMINE IF MORE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156549May 1, 2006
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
1. AUTOMATIC/PASSIVE RESTRAINT BELT FOR DRIVERS SIDE HAD BEEN ACTING SLUGGISH E.G. BELT WOULD HESITATE WHEN OPENING/CLOSING DOOR BEFORE MOVING TO FULL OPEN/CLOSED POSITION. 2. BELT IS STUCK/FROZEN IN MIDWAY POSITION OF DOOR. DRIVER HAS NO ADEQUATE SHOULDER RESTRAINT IN EVENT OF COLLISION. 3. CONTACTED MAZDA MANUFACTURE BUT THEY STATE CAR VIN IS NOT IN U.S. DATABASE. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V211000 THAT IDENTIFIES A PROBLEM WITH MAZDA VEHICLES 323 AND MX3 THAT USE THE IDENTICAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM. MY CAR WAS BUILT IN JAPAN, SHIPPED TO EUROPE AND PURCHASED NEW IN MONTHS, BELGIUM AS U.S. SPEC VEHICLE. THIS PUTS MY CAR IN A LIMBO STATUS OF IT IS A U.S. SPEC CAR BUT WAS SOLD IN EUROPE AND ISN'T COVERED BY A U.S. ONLY RECALL. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT IF CAR MANUFACTURERS ARE SELLING VEHICLES OVERSEAS TO U.S. MILITARY MEMBERS WHO BRING THE CARS BACK TO THE STATES THEN THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED COVER THOSE VINS AS WELL FOR SAFETY RECALLS ETC. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154933April 10, 2006
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
FLAT TIRE CAUSED ME TO USE JACK THAT CAME WITH MY CAR, AFTER PLACING IT CORRECTLY UNDER MY CAR AND LIFTING CAR THE JACK THEN BENT AND SENT MY CAR CRASHING DOWN ON ITS ROTOR NEARLY LANDING ON MY ARM. I STILL HAVE THE JACK AND I CONTACTED THE MAZDA COMPANY TO REPLACE THE JACK. THEY ARE SENDING GIFT CERTIFICATE AND LOOKING INTO THE MATTER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154208March 30, 2006
SEAT BELTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ADJUSTMENT FAILURE IN ALL THE SEAT BELTS IN THE VEHICLE. THE SEATBELTS WOULD NOT LOCK IN AN EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOTH AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND A SERVICE DEALER. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THEM NOT REMAINING LOCKED DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152845March 16, 2006
SEAT BELTS
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING AN '03 MAZDA PROTEGE5. UPON IMPACT MY SEAT BELT FAILED. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10152748March 15, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30MPH, THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOLLOWED BY THE ENGINE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE SCREWS USED FOR MOUNTING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SHUTTER VALVE BROKE AND FELL INTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AS WELL AS THE OIL PAN AND PISTONS. THE VEHICLE IS SCHEDULED FOR REPLACEMENT OF THOSE SCREWS. THERE IS AN EMISSION RECALL, #3005C, REGARDING THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151689March 3, 2006
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
ISSUE WITH SEAT BELTS IN 1994 MAZDA PROTEGE LX. AT TIMES, FRONT SEAT BELTS CONTINUE TO TIGHTEN WHEN FOOT IS LIFTED FROM BRAKE PEDAL AFTER A SUDDEN STOP. IT GETS SO TIGHT THAT BELT HAS TO BE UNBUCKLED. IT IS A SCARY SITUATION AND NOT VERY SAFE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149927February 10, 2006
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
ON THE 2003 AND 2003.5 MAZDA MAZDASPEED PROTEGE, OF WHICH ONLY 4750 CARS WERE PRODUCED. THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST 46 WEB DOCUMENTED FAILURES OF THE DIFFERENTIAL BREAKING ON THESE CARS. THE 47TH KNOWN FAILURE WAS RECENTLY MY NEPHEW. SEE LINK FOR A LIST OF FAILURES. HTTP://WWW.MSPROTEGE.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=64821&HIGHLIGHT=LSD+FAILURE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFTEY ISSUE IF THIS DECIDES BREAK WHILE PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF A SEMI OR ANYTHING ELSE. AS AN OWNEROF ONE OF THESE CARS, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE, BEFORE MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE IS HURT OR KILLED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149590February 6, 2006
AIR BAGS
I WAS TAKING A CORNER ON HWY 36 AND HIT GRAVEL ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD DID A NOSE DIVE INTO A DITCH FLIP FORWARD END OVER END, SLID AND ROLLED TWICE. NON OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NEITHER DRIVER OR PASSENGER. I AM NOT POSITIVE BUT MY CAR SHOULD HAVE HAD SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS BUT THEY DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10147190January 8, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AS I ACCELERATED TO 30 MPH, THE "O/D OFF" LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD FLASHED AND THE SPEEDOMETER STAYED AT ZERO, EVEN THOUGH I WAS DRIVING AS FAST AS THE OTHER CARS ON THE STREET. IT FELT LIKE NEUTRAL GEAR. THE MANUAL INDICATES THE FLASHING LIGHT IS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I REMEMBERED THAT WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF PURCHASING THIS NEW CAR, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED DUE TO PECULIAR SOUNDS, SO I WORRY ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THIS COMPONENT SINCE I DO NOT DRIVE MUCH. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146503December 22, 2005
WHEELS: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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145394December 14, 2005
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
CONSUMER TREAD ON REAR TIRE SEPERATED. *TS *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143965November 29, 2005
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DT: CONTACT STATES WHILE SHIFTING GEARS THE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.*AK UPDATED 02/08/07. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143712November 26, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
MY 1995 MAZDA PROTEGE HAS THE GAS AND BRAKE PETALS SO CLOSE IN HEIGHT AND LITTLE SEPARATION THAT IT IS VERY EASY TO APPLY THE BRAKE AND STILL BE APPLYING THE GAS. I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT YET BUT HAVE HAD SOME VERY NEAR MISSES. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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