Model year record

2000 Mazda Protege recalls & problems

The 2000 Mazda Protege has 3 safety recalls and 102 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (32 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints102filed by owners

Crashes · fires25 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths21 · 0reported in complaints

2000 Mazda Protege in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E02600061,944 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Service brakes, hydraulicFeb 1, 2001

Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 01V02400013,000 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME LEFT SIDE REAR BRAKE HOSES WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY. BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR.
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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2000 Mazda Protege 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Protege

27mpg combined

City / highway	25 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Protege

26mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Protege

25mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

Protege

23mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift	32	1	0	0	45,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	26	21	0	18	41,500 mi
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Front › Retractor	8	1	0	1	80,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc	8	2	0	1	—
TiresSidewall; Tread/belt	7	1	0	1	17,958 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	7	1	1	0	54,900 mi
Electrical systemIgnition › Module; Ignition	6	0	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner	5	1	0	3	—
Vehicle speed controlLinkages	5	2	0	1	66,097 mi
Suspension	4	1	0	1	—
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch	4	1	0	0	57,000 mi
Exterior lightingHeadlights	2	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bagsCrash1 injury
TODAY WE GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DIDN'T COME OUT UNTIL AFTER MY GRANDAUGHTER'S FACE HIT THE WINDSHEILD.
Nov 27, 2019 · 160 miles
Unknown or other
MY CAR GOES IN AND OUT OF OD BY ITS SELF AND THE OD BUTTON DOES NOT WORK WHILE IM DRIVING AND THE OD LIGHT FLASHES WHEN IT GOES ON AAND STOP WHEN IT DEACTIVATES IT SELF
Apr 13, 2018 · 167,980 miles
EngineFire
AFTER DRIVING 2 MILES OR LESS THE RIGHT UNDERSIDE OF THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND NOW THE ENGINE IS BLOWN.
Mar 19, 2018 · 213,900 miles
EngineFire
I DROVE THE CAR FOR 2 MILES AND THE LEFT UNDERSIDE OF THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE, NOW THE ENGINE IS DEAD AND IN NEED OF A NEW ENGINE?
Mar 18, 2018 · 213,000 miles
Electrical system
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.
Mar 1, 2013 · 148,000 miles
Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MAZDA PROTEGE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Oct 23, 2013
Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MAZDA PROTEGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ENGINE TOOK A LONG TIME TO START UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
Sep 27, 2012 · 138,000 miles
Seat belts
THE LEFT FRONT SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE. MY SPOUSE SPENT FIFTEEN MINUTES TRYING TO GET IT UNBUCKLED AND POPPED A BLOOD VESSEL IN HER THUMB TRYING TO RELEASE IT. GOING TO REPLACE IT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS. WILL CONTACT DEALER TO SEE IF IT CAN BE WARRANTIED. THEY SHOULD, IT IS A SAFETY ITEM! *TR
Jul 5, 2012 · 89,599 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.