2001 Mazda Protege Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 2001 Protege most often describe airbags that did not deploy in collisions, automatic transmission shifting or failure, and brake problems such as locking or sudden failure. Engine knocking, stalling or no-start complaints also appear, and several say the dealer or manufacturer declined or limited repairs, sometimes after the warranty ended. Where mileage is listed, the figures range from about 13,500 to 170,000 miles.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Airbags did not deploy in collisions

   • 10 complaints (20%)
   • median 48,000 mi at 3.7 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2015

   Owners describe frontal and head-on collisions in which the front airbags did not deploy, and in some cases the driver's head or chest struck the steering wheel. Some complaints mention an impact at 45 mph or more, and others describe a collision with a vehicle turning across the road. Mileage is listed in some of these complaints, ranging from about 35,000 to 168,000 miles, and the others do not list it.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after startup, and ask whether any non-genuine accessories were added, since a service bulletin covers accessories affecting airbag operation. Ask whether any collision repair included an airbag system check.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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, filed 2015-11, 168,000 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10142477, filed 2005-11, 48,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Engine knocking, stalling or failure to start

   • 6 complaints (12%)
   • median 22,000 mi at 12.7 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2017

   Owners describe a loud knocking or ticking from the engine, followed by stalling or the engine failing to start. In some complaints the engine was found to need replacement or had a cracked cylinder, with combustion gases reported in the cooling system. According to complaints, the dealer swapped ignition coils and replaced the engine computer, and the no-start happened repeatedly. Mileage is listed in some of these complaints, at about 22,000 to 31,500 miles, and the no-start is described as more frequent when the engine is cold.

   What to check: Ask for a compression test and records of any engine replacement or cylinder repair, since knocking and stalling were reported. Try a cold start on a test drive to see whether the engine starts and runs smoothly.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10113267, filed 2005-03

   “A loud ticking noise can be heard coming from underneath the hood. Consumer feels source of the problem is automatic transmission because gears can be heard changing while driving and vehicle stalls on an intermittent basis. Dealer has yet to be contacted.”

   NHTSA complaint #898682, filed 2001-11
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Automatic transmission shifting and failure

   Mentioned in 4 of 41 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the automatic transmission shifting into neutral while driving, failing to shift into first gear, or bucking between gears. In some complaints the transmission failed completely, or a replacement was installed and the problem returned later. According to complaints, the dealer said the car was out of warranty and would not help, and the manufacturer was described as refusing responsibility. Mileage is listed in some of these complaints, ranging from about 53,000 to 154,000 miles, and the problem is described as returning after a replacement transmission.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask for records of any transmission repair or replacement, and check that the shifts into first and reverse are smooth on a test drive. Ask whether any transmission warranty or extended coverage still applies.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10259137, filed 2009-02, 154,000 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10086275, filed 2004-08, 53,478 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake failure, caliper and ABS problems

   • 7 complaints (14%)
   • median 35,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2013

   Owners describe brakes that failed or locked, including a brake failure that led to a rear-end collision and an anti-lock system that pulsed on contact with a manhole cover before the brakes locked on an uneven road. Another complaint describes rear brake calipers that malfunctioned and made noise, and the dealer offered only a small discount on the repair because the car was out of warranty. Mileage is listed in some of these complaints, ranging from about 13,500 to 51,850 miles, and a lock-up event is described at about 25 mph.

   What to check: Check the brake fluid level and look for leaks at the wheels and calipers, and ask whether the rear brakes and ABS have been inspected. A test stop on a dry road can show whether the brakes pull or lock.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10117894, filed 2005-04, 51,850 miles

   “The problems with this particular vehicle occurred on 11/01/2001 in an auto accident. I'm the passenger who was driving the vehicle southbound on the interstate when suddenly I couldn't stop the vehicle because of the brakes, so I tried to change lanes, and the car veered off the road, landing in a ditch after crashing into 4 or 5 trees. No air bags deployed, and my seat belt detached at some point during the impact. As a result car was completely totaled, and driver side door was smashed in. …”

   NHTSA complaint #755364, filed 2001-12
5. 5
   Tires

   Tire blisters, tread separation and tire damage

   • 5 complaints (10%)
   • median 29,500 mi at 2.4 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2002–2005

   Owners describe a front tire detaching while driving, a sidewall blister after a shallow pothole, and tread separation noted during a state safety inspection. Another complaint describes a tire driven while low that rubbed the rim and was ruined. According to complaints, the blister formed within several miles after the impact, and the same damage recurred on later tires. Mileage is listed in some of these complaints, at about 29,500 miles, and the blister appeared within several miles after the pothole impact.

   What to check: Inspect all tires for sidewall bulges, blisters, and tread separation, and check for rubbing marks on the rims. Ask whether any tire was replaced under warranty or failed a state inspection.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was told that the tire was driven while low. I check the air in my tires once sometimes twice a week. The mechanic that looked at my tire said that it only has to be a little low to start rubbing on the rim. As you can see by my mileage I drive quite a bit. Plus both my dad (retired) and my husband work for uniroyal tires. My husband is a tirebuilder. I am just glad the tires didn't blow while I was driving on the highway. I am 36 years old and this is the first time I have every had a tire ruined in 20000 miles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #756394, filed 2002-01

   “Tire sidewall bubble/blister upon hitting shallow pothole - this is 3rd tire occurance, all with same sidewall blister damage, of the four oe tires delivered on my 2001 Mazda Protege es. The oe tires are dunlop sp sport 5000m p195/50r16 83 v. Dot identification: DOT eulv 4md0901. All tires have been inflated to 30-35 PSI at time of impact and the pothole was sufficiently minor as to cause no damage to the alloy rim or any other scrape or damage to the tire. The sidewall blister would form within several miles driving after impact. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10008041, filed 2003-02, 29,500 miles

Buying note. Someone considering a 2001 Protege should ask for records of airbag, transmission and brake work, and confirm the airbag warning light turns off after startup. A pre-purchase test drive with a shift check and a brake stop, plus a cold start, can show whether these issues are present.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 41 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.