KnownCarProblems2000 Mazda Protege Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 102 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Mazda Protege, most often about the transmission (28% of complaints, typically around 45,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Protege model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
Most common 2000 Mazda Protege problems
Transmission
29 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
Dt: the contact stated that about a year transmission was replaced. Now the engine light is coming on. The brakes are not tight enough and they are not working.
While driving engine and overdrive warning lights illuminated. Dealer diagnosed that vehicle requires new transmission, radiator and other engine work. Consumer very concerned because vehicle mileage wa slow and maintained regularly. Ts.
Air bags
25 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 41,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
While driving w. Bound at about 25 MPH, passenger side of car was impacted by vehicle going s. Bound at about 40 MPH. Car was forced sw through a curb, a gas sign, and impacted with the rear of a parked car. Accelerator was stuck, brakes ineffective and finally parked by driver. Major passenger side and frontal…
Front end impact of at least 45 MPH without applying brakes. Almost direct full contact with front end (slightly more on one side). Front air bags did not deploy. Seat belt restrained forward motion but injury was incurred to neck and back due to force of collision.
Brakes
9 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, conventional.
While driving at 25 MPH brakes were depressed, but vehicle did not slow down and it collided with the drivers side of another vehicle. No one was injured in the collision.
Dt: the contact stated that about a year transmission was replaced. Now the engine light is coming on. The brakes are not tight enough and they are not working.
Engine
9 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
: the contact stated while driving 35 MPH there was a loud explosion from the engine. The vehicle was not pulled over but continued to be driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was then inspected, the number 2 cylinder had blown a spark plug through the motor. The spark plug was in 3 pieces, the plug wires…
2000 Protege lx accelerator pedal was stuck in the depressed position. As a result of the accelerator pedal sticking the consumer was involved in an accident. On feb 21, 2000 the vehicle was taken to the dealer because the consumer heard a high pitched ping noise coming from the vehicle. The dealer was unable to…
Seat belts
8 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: front, rear/other.
Dt: the consumer has a 2000 Mazda Protege. The driver's lower seat belt fell apart. The consumer has contacted several dealer who told her the she couldn't get a replacement. All of the other seat belts are fine and there are no cracks in them. The consumer's vehicle has not been in an accident.
I was unable to release the driver's side seat belt. I crawled out under it and eventually got it to release. It seems to work ok now but I'm now leery of it.
Wheels and tires
8 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 18,000 miles. Parts named most often: sidewall, tread/belt, hub.
On may 12, 2010 my son called me at my phone to advised me that as he was driving his 2000 Mazda Protege and without any reason his front passenger side tire gave up all around the outside side center of the tire making a blowout noise and went flat. He went to a tire services center and there he was informed that…
Less than two months after purchasing my 2000 Mazda Protege new from the dealer I took the vehicle to the service dept. While accelerating, the car would jerk and buck as if I hit a brick wall. The car continued to do this. Each time I complained to the service dept. At the dealership I was told nothing was wrong. I…
Electrical
6 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: ignition.
Car does not start unless you jiggle steering wheel while turning key or pumping gas pedal. Had battery checked as well as starter and ignitiion switch replaced but has not solved problem.
Seats
5 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: front assembly.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2000 Mazda Protege recalls
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: Brake performance would be degraded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the brake hose and, if necessary, replace the hose. Owner notification began february 20, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some left side rear brake hoses were damaged during assembly. Brake fluid leakage could occur.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2000 Mazda Protege
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 Mazda Protege?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (29 complaints, typically around 45,000 miles); air bags (25 complaints, typically around 41,500 miles); brakes (9 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2000 Mazda Protege have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 1, 2001 (brakes). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2000 a bad year for the Mazda Protege?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Protege model year since 2000, with 102 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.