2003 Mazda Protege Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 14%of 120 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the seat belts of the 2003 Mazda Protege, 14% of the 120 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was pulling up to my residence when the seat belt popped out of the receiver by itself.. I tried to re-latch the seat belt and it would not latch. I attempted a few more times and the seat belt receiver completely fell apart..”
NHTSA complaint #10695508, filed 2015-03, 131,000 miles“The driver seat belt will no longer work. The male end will not connect to the female end. I looked with a flashlight and there were broken pieces inside. It looks like the buckle came apart. I now have to use the passenger side seat belt buckle.”
NHTSA complaint #10542626, filed 2013-09, 109,687 miles“2003 Mazda Protege lx driver side seatbelt locking clip internal parts shattered after 50,000 miles. Out of warranty now but I have read other websites of people with the exact same problem. Why has a recall not been offered for this highly dangerous seatbelt?”
NHTSA complaint #10327260, filed 2010-04, 52,000 miles“Front driver seat belt suddenly was incapable of being buckled. Drivers seat belt could not click in receptacle and was not usable. Dealer said it was not covered b/c it was out of warranty and I was responsible for repair which was about $100.”
NHTSA complaint #10352276, filed 2010-08, 90,000 miles“While my son was driving to work on a hill curve turn he lost control on icy wet road and hit a tree he died on 01/29/2013 he was 18 years old he was going to school and working.”
NHTSA complaint #10513989, filed 2013-05, 90,000 milesSeat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 17 | 14% |
| 2002 | 20 | 20% |
| 2001 | 3 | 6% |
| 2000 | 8 | 8% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 3 | 7% |
| 1997 | 6 | 9% |
| 1996 | 6 | 9% |
| 1995 | 13 | 8% |
| 1994 | 37 | 50% |
| 1993 | 23 | 52% |
| 1992 | 34 | 54% |
| 1991 | 27 | 53% |
| 1990 | 21 | 57% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mazda Protege
34 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 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