2002 Mazda Protege Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 9%of 98 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Mazda Protege, 9% of the 98 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,000 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“Myself, the driver, rear-ended another driver at a speed of 35-40mph. The driver slammed on his brakes and I had no time to react. The result is a totaled front end w/ $4000+ of repairs. The seat belt did not restrain me and the airbag did not deploy. The car will be totaled and I suffered extensive bruising because of this failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10368200, filed 2010-11, 112,000 miles“(1) blinking airbag indicator light of Mazda Protege 5 - 2002 (2) diagnostic test performed ($116.) told of faulty passenger seat side airbag (3) dealership disconnected seat, told entire seat must be replaced at the cost of an est.$800”
NHTSA complaint #10213996, filed 2008-01, 42,000 miles“The consumer rear ended another motorist while driving at 45 MPH. The frontal air bags failed to deploy upon impact. The driver sustained injuries when he hit the steering wheel. The passenger sustained injuries when she/he hit the dashboard. Both vehicles involved in the accident were totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #10065500, filed 2004-05, 16,000 miles“Airbags did not deploy during a front end collision at 35 miles per hour. The front end was totalled and although the injuries were minor, there is a false sense of security.”
NHTSA complaint #10057041, filed 2004-02, 55,000 miles“I was proceeding southbound on a major street at about 35mph. A pickup truck came out of a small side street and crossed my path going eastbound with the intent of turning left. My car broadsided the truck at the back of the drivers door and at the front of the truckbed. As I did not see the truck until the last moment, I only left about 3 feet of skid. Neither my driver airbag nor my passenger airbag deployed. It was determined that my car was a total loss due to extensive damage.”
NHTSA complaint #759708, filed 2002-03Related service bulletins
- 10021000Oct 4, 2006Non genuine accessories affect air bag operation.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 10 | 8% |
| 2002 | 9 | 9% |
| 2001 | 11 | 22% |
| 2000 | 25 | 25% |
| 1999 | 21 | 24% |
| 1998 | 3 | 7% |
| 1997 | 12 | 18% |
| 1996 | 24 | 34% |
| 1995 | 41 | 25% |
| 1994 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 2% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mazda Protege
20 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsTires
9 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsEquipment
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsWheels
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Mazda Protege
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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