Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mazda protege. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine and timing belt needed to be replaced. The engine was taken apart and the mechanic found a screw inside of the intake valve. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 188,000.
The worst 2003 Mazda Protege problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine40
- Seat belts17
- Transmission12
- Suspension11
- Airbags10
- Tires10
- Brakes7
- Steering7
- Body4
- Seats4
- Electrical3
- Lights3
- Acceleration2
- Fuel system2
- Driver assistance1
- Locks1
- Visibility1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Mazda Protege
Seat belt 14Misfire 12Stalling 12Check engine light 11Engine failure 8Knocking 6
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Mazda Protege 98
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below
- Product Quality Information (PQI) DESCRIPTION Service Information MT-041/12 is no longer valid
- This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red....
- A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating
- In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer
- Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems
- Speedometer replacement procedure
- Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers
- In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer.
2003 Mazda Protege fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21-22 | 27-28 | 23-24 |
What 2003 Mazda Protege owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Rough idle causing to stall while driving, check engine light on for cylinder misfire, found cylinder 4 with a bent spark plug with the gap closed. Replaced all 4 plugs car ran fine for a few months only to have the same issue cylinder misfire with cylinder 4 with another bent plug gap closed. Possible something loose inside cylinder 4 causing the misfire issues to the plug. Mileage 130,280
2003 mazda protege would not pass 2019 virginia safety inspection due to defective passenger side airbag. Dealer cannot replace because mazda has discontinued that part. Under virginia law, car cannot be operated without valid inspection certificate. Inspection disclosed no other disqualifying conditions.
Excessive wear in the area inside and outside in tires ... Many several workshops can not correct the alignment fault ... The steering wheel go to the right and I have to force to the left ... All the front and rear suspension part are new , including the shock absorber is new and control arm and link rod and bushing ...the centric bolt not correct the failure ...I see over ethernet many people has the same fail in this car ..I buy this car new and never crashed or or mistreated ..I report this in this year because people have told me it's a manufacturing fault..and I have had too much expenses and I can not solve ... Right now I need to buy other tires...please I need a solution ...I send a ethernet photo and the car and color is same ...to remember the milleage valor and year presented in the next question in this form is approximated ...thank you I wait you response
2003 mazda protege 5 was traveling approximately 45mph and struck a moving vehicle in the rear quarter panel. No air bag was deployed in the mazda protege 5. The other vehicle's airbags deployed.
Severe rusting of left and right rear quarter panels leading into rear of rocker panels due to poor rust protection from factory.
The driver side seat belt latch is no longer working. There appears to be broken parts in the female part.
I was pulling up to my residence when the seat belt popped out of the receiver by itself.. I tried to re-latch the seat belt and it would not latch. I attempted a few more times and the seat belt receiver completely fell apart..
Passenger side strut tower has rusted to the point that failure of the suspension is imminent. The rust inhibitor that was applied from mazda motor corp. During manufacturing, on the passenger front wheel well has failed and is allowing water, road salt etc to enter the engine bay and cause severe rusting on the top and side portion of the strut tower where the side motor mount and strut tower brace attach to the strut tower. The failure of the rust inhibitor has now caused the failure of the steel strut tower which in-turn could cause the engine and/or front passenger side suspension to become dislodged and cause a severe accident. Pictures can be provided upon request.
I bought the car from a smaller cheap dealership, I had no idea that the front end would be as bad as it got. My lower control arm / ball joint was so corroded every time I made a left turn it would make a loud noise in the left front wheel then would continue to happen over and over each time. This would happen often when it was dry and warm and sat for awhile. Living in buffalo, well you can not help but hit potholes in some places more than others. This would make the problem worse and throw my steering off while travel at a high rate of speed. If I was doing the curves on route 33 or route 290 I would have to slow done to maintain steering ability. I have recently been told it was so bad I could lose my wheel and crash. So I went to a local repair shop and they fixed the problem; but with a slightly new problem one of the screws were so corroded they charged me $100.00 to make an access panel from my drivers side floor panel under my feet. The total for just those parts came to $350.00 plus wheel alignment.
Compare the 2003 Mazda Protege
Other model years
Questions about the 2003 Mazda Protege
Is the 2003 Mazda Protege reliable?
Owners have filed 120 complaints about the 2003 Mazda Protege, 1.2 times a typical Protege model year.
What is the 2003 Mazda Protege year score?
The 2003 Mazda Protege scores 68 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mazda Protege: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Mazda Protege?
Engine and cooling, with 40 complaints, typically around 69,800 miles. Next is seat belts (17).
How many recalls does the 2003 Mazda Protege have?
No recalls on record.
What year does the Mazda Protege have bad engine?
The Mazda Protege model years with the most engine complaints are 2003 (40 complaints), 1995 (20 complaints) and 1998 (10 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Mazda Protege get?
Official estimates for the 2003 Mazda Protege range from 23 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 21-22 city and 27-28 highway.
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