2002 Mazda Protege Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 11%of 98 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 22,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Mazda Protege, 11% of the 98 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 22,000 miles. 1 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.
“I've owned my 2002 Mazda protege5 for 7 years now. It's always had a vibration while braking. Even after having out brand new brakes, rotors and calipers. I'm very anal on how my car looks and drives. If I feel something out of the ordinary, I know something is off. This has happened ever since I've had the car. It does cause me to drive more cautiously especially in the back roads along with wet pavement. The steering wheel shakes while braking as well. As for the body of the car, the paint is faiding fast. It's yellow, and I hand polish and wax it once before spring, summer, and winter. …”
NHTSA complaint #10863216, filed 2016-05, 67,000 miles“While driving at any speed the vehicle hesitated when the brake pedal was pressed. The dealer examined the vehicle twice and replaced the front pads and found the rear calipers were warped. Due to the warped calipers, the rear pads can not be replaced with out new calipers.”
NHTSA complaint #10065478, filed 2004-04, 5,000 miles“Snow would build up inside the wheels. This would cause the brake rotor to freeze, resulting in extended stopping distance. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10109261, filed 2005-01, 55,200 miles“Problems with tire equipment on the 2002 Mazda Protege 5. There was difficulty with placing suitcases or boxes into the trunk of this type of vehicle, the cd player skipped, the transmission displayed a loud clunk noise, there was a spare tire problem, there was a nail in the tire which could not be repaired because it was located too close to the edge of the tire, 50% of tread remained, and there was evidence that the wheel needed to have five holes for bolts (spare wheel), and the brakes had 50% remaining. …”
NHTSA complaint #10079850, filed 2004-06, 19,000 miles“Whenever the vehicle is on a slight incline vehicle would roll backward when the driver releases the accelerator or the brake pedals. Dealer was not contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #10095122, filed 2004-10, 4,200 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11032103Apr 21, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory…
- 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…
- 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…
- 10153307Jan 14, 2019Mazda North American Operations has approved an additional on-car brake lathe as an option for MNAO authorized equipment. The Pro-Cut On-Car Brake Lathe has been added to the…
- 10148003Oct 10, 2018Mazda North American Operations has approved an additional on-car brake lathe as an option for MNAO authorized equipment. The Pro-Cut On-Car Brake Lathe has been added to the…
- 10142515May 11, 2018Mazda North American Operations has approved an additional on-car brake lathe as an option for MNAOauthorized equipment. The Pro-Cut On-Car Brake Lathe has been added to the MNAO…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 7 | 6% |
| 2002 | 11 | 11% |
| 2001 | 5 | 10% |
| 2000 | 10 | 10% |
| 1999 | 6 | 7% |
| 1998 | 5 | 11% |
| 1997 | 11 | 17% |
| 1996 | 9 | 13% |
| 1995 | 12 | 7% |
| 1994 | 3 | 4% |
| 1993 | 5 | 11% |
| 1992 | 5 | 8% |
| 1991 | 3 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mazda Protege
20 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsAir bags
9 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 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