2003 Mazda Protege Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 9%of 120 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 98,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the suspension of the 2003 Mazda Protege, 9% of the 120 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,500 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 bought the car from a smaller cheap dealership, I had no idea that the front end would be as bad as it got. My lower control arm / ball joint was so corroded every time I made a left turn it would make a loud noise in the left front wheel then would continue to happen over and over each time. This would happen often when it was dry and warm and sat for awhile. Living in buffalo, well you can not help but hit potholes in some places more than others. This would make the problem worse and throw my steering off while travel at a high rate of speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10584041, filed 2014-04, 99,000 miles“Passenger side strut tower has rusted to the point that failure of the suspension is imminent. The rust inhibitor that was applied from Mazda motor corp. During manufacturing, on the passenger front wheel well has failed and is allowing water, road salt etc to enter the engine bay and cause severe rusting on the top and side portion of the strut tower where the side motor mount and strut tower brace attach to the strut tower. …”
NHTSA complaint #10605125, filed 2014-06, 134,000 miles“Excessive wear in the area inside and outside in tires ... Many several workshops can not correct the alignment fault ... The steering wheel go to the right and I have to force to the left ... …”
NHTSA complaint #11052498, filed 2017-12, 8,000 miles“- the contact owns a 2003 Mazda protg. The contact was driving 15 MPH when the passenger side lower control arm split in half and the strut went through the fender along with the upper control arm. The road conditions were normal. When the vehicle hit the ground both airbags deployed. The driver was injured as a result. The police filed a report; however, the contact feels that some of the information is incorrect. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was told that the failure was caused by hitting something in the road; the contact disagreed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10179370, filed 2007-01, 10,000 miles“I would like to make you aware of a problem with Mazda protg's. I am not the only one with this problem, which is a safety issue. There are brackets on top of the strut tower that are not coated or coated properly to prevent rusting. The rust on my car and may others is seen covering the top of the strut tower. As you know there is a lot of pressure at this point on vehicles. If the rust advances enough ' the strut and wheel can and will come up through the hood. The result will be a vehicle losing control and crashing into whatever is around. Mazda is unresponsive to this issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10291847, filed 2009-11Related 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 2003 Mazda Protege
34 complaintsSeat belts
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 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