2003 Mazda Protege Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 34about this part
- Share
- 28%of 120 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Mazda Protege, 28% of the 120 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The tightening torque of the screws used for mounting the intake manifold shutter valve loosened and fell out (1 into the spark plugs and caused damage to plugs and coils).caused misfiring, affecting the exhaust emissions. There was a recall in 2006 but not for my car's VIN - but my car had the exact problem from that recall. Waiting to see if Mazda will honor this recall and pay for repairs/parts.”
NHTSA complaint #10422484, filed 2011-08, 56,197 miles“My 2002 Protege 5 (built december 2002) had a catastrophic engine failure, due to loose vics screws from the intake manifold coming loose and being sucked into the combustion chamber. These screws sheared off the top of my spark plug, and destroyed my piston and valves. The outward symptoms was a loud 'coin in the washing machine' sound coming from my engine, followed by a sudden loss of power and stalling. After the engine was opened, 3 of 8 vics screws were off completely, and the remaining 5 were loose. …”
NHTSA complaint #10273142, filed 2009-06, 72,000 miles“Car stalled at red light, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine. After stalling t more times the car ran for another 3 minutes to ge me home for the evening. I then to it to my local Mazda service center.”
NHTSA complaint #10106112, filed 2005-01, 14,475 miles“While driving on highway at about 60 MPH for 40 minutes, the car began sputtering, jerking, making noises, losing acceleration and the check engine light came on. It initially felt like someone was taking their foot on and off the gas. We pulled off road and were towed to our garage. Mechanic found that the spark plug for cylinder 4 was smashed shut, he replaced it and told us to take it to the dealer since this was the 3rd time we had this problem. In dec of 2009 the spark plug for cylinder 1 had same problem then again in feb 2010 it was the plugs for 1 & 4. …”
NHTSA complaint #10352264, filed 2010-08, 101,000 miles“My son bought a 2003 Mazda Protege 5, back in late july 2010. Shortly thereafter, on august 3rd, 2010 in fact, he knowing of an open recall, had the car serviced at the local Mazda dealership. Apparently they performed part a of recall 3005c and did a compression check and slapped a recall completed sticker under the hood. Come late august, my son takes the car away to school. On november 1st, 2010, he calls complaining of a 'loud engine noise . 2 days later, we had the car towed to a nearby performance shop. They investigated and noticed the recall 3005c sticker under the hood. …”
NHTSA complaint #10368689, filed 2010-12, 107,000 milesRelated 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…
- 10020781Sep 1, 2006Whistle noise at idle fuel cut under boost, mil illuminated, dtc p0171 set.
- 10018975Dec 1, 2005The tightening torque of the screws used for mounting the intake manifold shutter valve may have been lower than the specification, causing rough idling, noise and/or malfunction…
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 2003 Mazda Protege
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsTires
10 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsEquipment
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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