2002 Mazda Protege: complete transmission failure

5 of the 98 complaints about the 2002 Mazda Protege describe complete transmission failure.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 5%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 5 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Complete transmission failure by model year

2003
1
2002
5
2001
2
2000
11
1999
6
1998
2
1996
1
1995
2
1993
1
1992
1

What owners say

Filed Feb 20, 2008 · Transmission · 72,200 miles · MO

2002 mazda protege5 was being driven at speed no greater than 40 MPH and the automatic transmission would not shift past 3rd gear. Had car towed to local dealership where I was informed the transmission failed and would have to be replaced. The car only has 72,200 miles on it. In november 2006 the engine coil for cylinders 2 and 3 had an internal failure which flooded the spark plugs and made the car inoperable at that time as well. I am currently waiting to see if extended warranty will cover what I am sure will be a rebuilt transmission which if the same kind as already in the vehicle will most likely fail again.

Filed Aug 10, 2006 · Transmission · OR

I purchased a used 2002 mazda protege 5 about 3 months ago. The 5th gear started popping out of gear about a month later, then acts like it is in neutral when you put it in 5th gear. I was told I need a new transmission for about $2500. This should not be happening on this new of a car. I have read many other reviews and complaints, it seems like it is a pretty common occurrence, why isn't a recall being made?

Filed Jun 4, 2006 · Transmission · 40,000 miles · MD

Automatic transmission:there are two serious problems with the transmission which are potentially very dangerous. 1)when shifted into drive the transmission frequently fails to engage. Depressing the accelerator from a stop results in a racing engine and almost no forward movement. This is extremely dangerous when pulling onto a high-speed interstate highway with other cars behind and around you. Dealer mechanics offer explanations such as not really a problem, drive it like it is. This dealer had the car for over a week. Another dealer (suggested by mazda after contacting them) says we need to replace the transmission at our expense. This problem is worsening. 2)overdrive warning light on dash blinks on with no apparent reason. While this situation exists, the transmission seems locked in high gear. Accelerating from a stop is once again a difficult and dangerous experience.

Filed Sep 7, 2005 · Transmission · 61,000 miles · NJ

I have a 2002 mazda protege lx with 61,000 miles on it. Recently my transmission failed and had to fix it with aamoco. Total bill, $2500. I realized the problem when I drove the car it wouldn't shift. It acted like I was driving in neutral. Mazda refused to take care of the problem and now I'm stuck with a have safe half reliable car. This is very dangerous because if your driving on a highway and you can't accelerate it creates a very scary dangerous problem.

Filed May 23, 2005 · Airbags, Brakes · CT · crash · 1 injury

2002 mazda protege was involved in a head on collision at 30 MPH yet the air bags did not deploy.*mr the consumer sustained two slipped disk in her back. After the vehicle's body damage was repaired the vehicle was taken to the dealer to have the air bags tested but the dealer refused to test the air bag. The indicated that as long as the air bag light wasn't on that everything was fine. The radio switches stations on it's own. The seat belt light did not illuminate when the car was started. The transmission failed 9/7/2004, 40561 miles. The vehicle alignment wont hold. The brakes have been replaced three times due to noise.