2001 Mazda Protege Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 12%of 50 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 103,739miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Mazda Protege, 12% of the 50 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 103,739 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 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. Dealer's service rep said car was out of warranty, and would not consider any assistance due to fact that the car had not been maintained there. …”
NHTSA complaint #10086275, filed 2004-08, 53,478 miles“Vehicle has been pulling to left while driving since date of purchase. Dealer has been contacted, and informed consumer that rear axle had broken. Dealer refused to repair rear axle free of charge even though vehicle was still under warranty. Please provide further details.”
NHTSA complaint #899734, filed 2001-11“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“While traveling 35-45mph automatic transmission gear shift jumped from drive to neutral, causing vehicle to rev until gear was changed. Dealer has yet to be contacted. Please provide further details.”
NHTSA complaint #895758, filed 2001-09Related 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…
- 10206002Dec 8, 2021Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Cooler and Lines Flushing Procedure: Automatic Transaxle/Transmission (A/T) oil cooler and lines must be power flushed completely before an…
- 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…
- 10013965Jun 1, 2004Programmable module installation. ( 2004 mazda b series)
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 12 | 10% |
| 2002 | 17 | 17% |
| 2001 | 6 | 12% |
| 2000 | 29 | 28% |
| 1999 | 22 | 25% |
| 1998 | 15 | 33% |
| 1997 | 10 | 15% |
| 1996 | 8 | 11% |
| 1995 | 19 | 12% |
| 1994 | 7 | 9% |
| 1993 | 2 | 5% |
| 1992 | 4 | 6% |
| 1991 | 4 | 8% |
| 1990 | 2 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2001 Mazda Protege
11 complaintsEngine cooling
8 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 29, 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