2001 Mazda Protege Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 16%of 50 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 25,742miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2001 Mazda Protege, 16% of the 50 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 25,742 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 2001 Mazda Protege lx 2.0 and it has had a virbration in the sterring column and through out the car. It has been doing this since I bought the car on12-10-02. The dealer tells me that it is normal! Is it?”
NHTSA complaint #10037572, filed 2003-09, 15,300 miles“I heard a strange sound every time I started to accelerate which I first thought to be the car in the next lane. I drove one more block and turned the corner, but the steering was locking and I had great difficulty turning. I had the car towed to my mechanic, combustion gases were in the cooling system and the engine had a cracked cylinder. The car is four years old (just out of warranty) with only 31,483 miles on it. I'm a good driver, 73 years old with a clean driving record and have never had problems with any car as a result of my driving habits. …”
NHTSA complaint #10116367, filed 2005-04, 31,483 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10140948, filed 2005-10, 40,666 miles“Intermittently while driving 40 to 50 MPH vehicle jerked. Vehicle would not stall, but would lose speed and power. Dealer examined the vehicle four times, and informed the consumer that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10079472, filed 2004-06, 20,000 miles“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 2005-03Related service bulletins
- 10208556Feb 23, 2022Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10200933Aug 24, 2021This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce…
- 10186693Jan 21, 2021Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10173097Mar 12, 2020Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10154879Mar 20, 2019In support of the new MRT distribution, Mazda will ship to dealers a new Dual Purpose Diagnostic Leak Detector beginning March, 2019. Training videos will be posted to MGSS…
- 10153311Jan 9, 2019On some vehicles, a sulfur smell or 'rotten egg' odor may be noticed coming from the exhaust system. The odor is usually noticed after a cold start, fast idle, extended periods…
- 10145242Sep 6, 2018On some vehicles, a sulfur smell or 'rotten egg' odor may be noticed coming from the exhaust system. The odor is usually noticed after a cold start, fast idle, extended periods…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 34 | 28% |
| 2002 | 7 | 7% |
| 2001 | 8 | 16% |
| 2000 | 7 | 7% |
| 1999 | 8 | 9% |
| 1998 | 10 | 22% |
| 1997 | 9 | 14% |
| 1996 | 4 | 6% |
| 1995 | 19 | 12% |
| 1994 | 6 | 8% |
| 1993 | 4 | 9% |
| 1992 | 2 | 3% |
| 1991 | 2 | 4% |
| 1990 | 4 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2001 Mazda Protege
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsTires
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Mazda Protege
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology