Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2001 Mazda Protege, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags11
- Engine and engine cooling8
- Power train6
- Service brakes, hydraulic5
- Tires4
- Vehicle speed control3
- Electrical system3
- Steering3
- Fuel system, gasoline3
- Equipment3
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 13 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 4 2001 Protege vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 4 people died inside them, and 1 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2001 Mazda Protege failed the safety check 1.13% of the time — 44% less often than the average 2001 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 105,764 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 4 variants: combined 9.0–10.2 L/100 km (about 23–26 mpg US), CO₂ 207–235 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protege · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.8 | 8.0 | 9.0 |
| Protege · Compact · Regular gasoline | 10.6 | 8.2 | 9.6 |
| Protege · Compact · Regular gasoline | 11.0 | 8.7 | 9.9 |
| Protege · Compact · Regular gasoline | 11.3 | 8.8 | 10.2 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 2001 Mazda Protege.
| 2001046 7 Feb 2001 | Brakes On certain vehicles, the left brake hoses may have been damaged during vehicle assembly. If the vehicles are operated in this condition, brake fluid may leak. … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME LEFT SIDE REAR BRAKE HOSES WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY. BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mazda told its dealers about the 2001 Mazda Protege: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 635773 | SUBJECT REGARDING AIR CONDITIONING MUSTY / MILDEW ODOR. *TT |
| 634454 | INFORMATION ON FUEL INJECTOR(S) REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES. *SLC |
| 634446 | SUBJECT REGARDING MANUAL DOOR MIRROR-HARD TO ADJUST ANGLE. *SLC |
| 634442 | SUBJECT ON SERVICE INFORMATION FOR KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM. *SLC |
| 634382 | SUBJECT REGARDING TRUNK KEY DIFFICULT TO INSERT OR UNABLE TO TURN KEY OR CYLINDER FLAP BROKEN. *SLC |
| 634352 | SUBJECT REGARDING 15 INCH PLASTIC WHEEL COVER CRACK DURING REMOVAL. *SLC |
| 634333 | SUBJECT REGARDING MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATES WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0402 STORED IN MEMORY. *SLC |
| 634330 | SUBJECT REGARDING FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY AND RELATED COMPONENT REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES. *SLC |
| 631616 | SUBJECT REGARDING FRONT DOOR GLASS WON'T GO ALL THE WAY DOWN. *JG |
| 628246 | SUBJECT REGARDING AUDIO REMOVAL - ELECTRICAL SHORT/DAMAGE TO PRINTED CIRCUIT. *JG |
| 628240 | SUBJECT REGARDING WIND NOISE FROM WINDSHIELD MOLDING. *JG |
| 628236 | SUBJECT REGARDING POWER DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTIONS. *JG |
| 620898 | SUBJECT REGARDING MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP LUUMINATION WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0402 STORED IN MEMORY. *TT |
| 614124 | CIGARETTE LIGHTER DOES NOT WORK OR STAY IN POSITION. *TT |
| 11006987 | In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealers responsibility to comply with Federal, State, and local laws concerning odometer and related documentation requirements when providing a repair or replacement. Mazda vehicles are manufactured with tamper-proof speedometers. When a speedometer is replaced, the new speedometer will read zero (0) miles. This procedure is extremely important to accurately represent actual vehicle mi |
| 11005671 | Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers. |
| 11003398 | Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers. |
| 10232299 | Speedometer replacement procedure |
| 10226814 | Some 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 during the normal sweeping process of the shaft seal. Follow the inspection guidelines below to determine if the condition is a result of the normal sweeping process or a failure of the shaft seal. |
| 10217209 | In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. |
| 10215274 | This 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 unnecessary battery replacement cost. For new vehicles in stock at the dealer, inspect and maintain the battery periodically according to the repair procedure. |
| 10213429 | Paint damage Mazda pocket paint guide |
| 10213425 | Speedometer replacement procedure |
| 10213333 | Battery test procedure requirements using the GR81291 |
| 10213185 | Some 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 during the normal sweeping process of the shaft seal. Follow the inspection guidelines below to determine if the condition is a result of the normal sweeping process or a failure of the shaft seal. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)