KnownCarProblems2001 Mazda Protege Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 50 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Mazda Protege, most often about the air bags (22% of complaints, typically around 48,000 miles). It is 4th of 4 Protege model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2001 Mazda Protege problems
Air bags
11 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Vehicle was involved in a front end impact of at least 45 MPH. This was almost a direct front collision, though damage was slightly greater on one side of front end that the other. Brakes were not applied so force of hit was at full speed. Available front end airbags did not deploy. My chest (sternum) impacted the…
Vehicle was involved in a 3 car frontal collision. Upon impact, frontal air bags failed to deploy. Driver head impacted the steering wheel, causing severe headaches.
Engine
10 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 26,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
The contact owns a 2001 Mazda Protege. The contact attempted to start the vehicle but the engine failed to start accompanied by an abnormal knocking from the engine. The contact also mentioned that the failure occurred more often when the engine was cold. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was…
I heard a strange sound every time I started to accelerate which I first thought to be the car in the next lane. I drove one more block and turned the corner, but the steering was locking and I had great difficulty turning. I had the car towed to my mechanic, combustion gases were in the cooling system and the engine…
Transmission
6 complaints · 12%Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly.
While driving my Mazda Protege to work when automatic transmission would not shift down into first gear. After shift to neutral and back to drive, trans shifted to first gear. Drove normally for next 15 miles to work. When leaving for lunch, transmission failed completely after 15 seconds in drive. Car is 3 yrs 3…
I purchased my 2001 Mazda Protege brand-new. At about 60,000 miles the overdrive light started blinking. Going from second gear into third, the transmission would buck. I took it to the dealership and was told that it needed a new transmission, so I had a new transmission installed. Now at 154,000 miles, it is…
Wheels and tires
6 complaints · 12%Parts named most often: sidewall, tread/belt, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs.
Tire sidewall bubble/blister upon hitting shallow pothole - this is 3rd tire occurance, all with same sidewall blister damage, of the four oe tires delivered on my 2001 Mazda Protege es. The oe tires are dunlop sp sport 5000m p195/50r16 83 v. Dot identification: dot eulv 4md0901. All tires have been inflated to 30-35…
Takata recall I bought by 2001 Mazda Protege a couple years ago and was never sent anything about any recalls. After pulling a car fax report there is 5 recalls all having to do with headlights. I've received a ticket for no headlights on when they were on and was recenctly in a car accident due to not seeing the…
Brakes
5 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
While on a 300 mile trip,\ I noticed a slight noise comming from my rear end. Upon my return home, the noise got worse and I took it to a repair shop and found the brake calipers malfunctioned, and a complete rear end brake job costing over $1,000.00 was required. Since the vehicle had only 52,000 miles on it and was…
Equipment
3 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: appliance, mechanical.
Speed control
3 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: cruise control.
Seat belts
3 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: front.
Every time I go to fasten my seat belt into the buckle, it's always unbuckling it self. This happens in stationary and in motion. My radios screen cant be seen or read. The visor on the car broke off and nothing was pulling it.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 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 2001 Mazda Protege
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Mazda Protege?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (11 complaints, typically around 48,000 miles); engine (10 complaints, typically around 26,500 miles); transmission (6 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2001 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 2001 a bad year for the Mazda Protege?
- It is 4th of 4 Protege model years by number of complaints, with 50 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.