2002 Mazda Protege Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 3%of 98 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 118,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the suspension of the 2002 Mazda Protege, 3% of the 98 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 118,000 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.
“Underneath the car is nothing but rust. It is affecting the undercarriage, the ball joints, the control arm, and the car's frame itself. I have replaced both ball joints both control arm shock and the car is still hard to steer”
NHTSA complaint #10787735, filed 2015-11, 118,000 miles“2002 Mazda Protege experiencing problems with the instrument panel. The consumer stated the mileage was deleted, the gas, temperature and speedometer gauges stopped working. The dealer did replace a part, however the mileage was not accurate. There was also a problem with the hub bearings.”
NHTSA complaint #10119095, filed 2005-04“2002 Mazda Protege was involved in a head on collision at 30 MPH yet the air bags did not deploy. The consumer sustained two slipped disk in her back. After the vehicle's body damage was repaired the vehicle was taken to the dealer to have the air bags tested but the dealer refused to test the air bag. The indicated that as long as the air bag light wasn't on that everything was fine. The radio switches stations on it's own. The seat belt light did not illuminate when the car was started. The transmission failed 9/7/2004, 40561 miles. The vehicle alignment wont hold. …”
NHTSA complaint #10122636, filed 2005-05Related service bulletins
- 10226814Nov 18, 2022Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft…
- 10213185May 24, 2022Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft…
- 10170656Jan 9, 2020Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft…
- 10153315Jan 2, 2019Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft…
- 10134930Mar 26, 2018Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft…
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 11 | 9% |
| 2002 | 3 | 3% |
| 2001 | 1 | 2% |
| 2000 | 4 | 4% |
| 1999 | 3 | 3% |
| 1998 | 1 | 2% |
| 1997 | 5 | 8% |
| 1996 | 4 | 6% |
| 1995 | 7 | 4% |
| 1994 | 3 | 4% |
| 1992 | 1 | 2% |
| 1991 | 2 | 4% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mazda Protege
20 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsBrakes
11 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 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