2003 Mazda Protege Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 3%of 120 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 170,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the seats of the 2003 Mazda Protege, 3% of the 120 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 170,000 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.
“When our vehicle was struck from behind the driver seat collapsed backward. I was mildly injured and if my 1 year old daughter was in the driver's side of the rear seat instead of the passenger side, I would have crushed and likely killed her. I am not overweight and was struck while stopped by a van at relatively low speed.”
NHTSA complaint #10392389, filed 2011-03, 137,000 miles“I am 6'0 with a tempermental back and a 30 pant inseam. In practical terms, I must have the seat cushion at its lowest position (for headroom); the seat back vertical (to prevent backache); and the seat moved relatively forward (to reach the pedals). My 2003 Mazda Protege 5 is one of the few cars I can drive comfortably. That's high praise for such a modest car. >>>>> my problem with the Protege is the lever for the fore/aft movement of the driver's seat. …”
NHTSA complaint #10067862, filed 2004-04“While driving head rest adjusted on its own. This caused the head rest not to adjust properly to height of the head. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for analysis, and mechanic could not resolve the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10053483, filed 2004-02Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 4 | 3% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 1 | 2% |
| 2000 | 5 | 5% |
| 1999 | 4 | 5% |
| 1998 | 1 | 2% |
| 1997 | 2 | 3% |
| 1996 | 3 | 4% |
| 1995 | 10 | 6% |
| 1994 | 3 | 4% |
| 1993 | 1 | 2% |
| 1992 | 3 | 5% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mazda Protege
34 complaintsSeat belts
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsTires
10 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsEngine
6 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 28, 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