2003 Mazda Protege: engine failure

Filed Oct 25, 2013 · Engine · 13,200 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 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 notified. The failure mileage was 13,200.

Filed Jun 8, 2009 · Engine · 72,000 miles · NY

My 2002 protege 5 (built december 2002) had a catastrophic engine failure, due to loose vics screws from the intake manifold coming loose and being sucked into the combustion chamber. These screws sheared off the top of my spark plug, and destroyed my piston and valves. The outward symptoms was a loud 'coin in the washing machine' sound coming from my engine, followed by a sudden loss of power and stalling. After the engine was opened, 3 of 8 vics screws were off completely, and the remaining 5 were loose. This is clearly the identical defect to a recall for protege 5's built shortly after my vehicle (emissions recall 3005c), but my vehicle was not covered in the recall. Reading online boards for protege owners, it is clear that this is a frequent defect effecting both owners in and out of recall range, and that this vics recall should be widened to include additional owners. Quotes from mazda for repair are ~$5000 for a new intake manifold, valves and pistons, and labor to repair.

Filed Jun 2, 2008 · Engine · 26,490 miles · MI

Tl*the contact's son owns a 2003 mazda protege 5. While approaching a red light at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled and had to be restarted. The contact heard loud noises coming from the front end of the vehicle. The contact pulled to the side of the road and had the vehicle towed to a service station. The mechanic diagnosed the cause of the failure as a blown rod. The vehicle was then towed to a mazda dealer, who stated that there was engine failure and it needed to be replaced. The current mileage was 31,289 and failure mileage was 26,490.

Filed Jul 5, 2007 · Engine · 58,000 miles · OH

Purchased a pre owned 2003 mazda protege with approximately 50,000 miles on it. I drove the vehicle for about 4000 miles before there was an engine failure. There were no events that lead up to this incident. The engine began to make a loud knocking noise. I had it towed to the dealer of purchase. A screw on an the intake came loose and went into the engine cylinder. Damage caused the engine to need to be replaced. Mazda has recall 3005c for this problem for the exact year, model, and engine as the one I purchased. However, the VIN number was a few thousand numbers outside of the recall range. Im stuck with a 15,000 piece of junk.

Filed May 15, 2007 · Engine · 61,000 miles · MI

While driving normally to my home after work the car stalled at a stop light. )when restarted there was a loud clanking/hammering noise from the engine for about 15 seconds then the sound went away, the cell lit up and the engine started shaking. When checked for codes a misfire on cylinder -4 was found. (the spark plug on cylinder 4 had been smashed flat by a foreign object that caused the hammering noise, nothing was found inside the cylinder , using a magnet. The spark plug was replaced and the car worked as normal. Upon investigation on the internet I found recall 3005c for the vehicle that describes my problem and if not fixed can cause engine failure. When contacting mazda customer assistance they said my VIN was not in range for this recall and that I would have to pay for any repairs because my car has 61000 miles and even though the emissions warranty is still active, the regular warranty is over.

Filed May 2, 2006 · Engine · 62,000 miles · CT

My engine failed causing a sudden loss of power. I was able to pull over safely. My car required about $1,000 worth of repairs, using used parts, and I have permanent engine damage that will ultimately shorten the life of my engine. The root cause of the engine failure was due to loose screws located in the air intake manifold, that allowed for a baffle or butterfly valve to break and enter my engine. This very same problem was recalled by mazda for vehicles made from march of 2003 to july of 2003, mine was manufactured in february of 2003, and therefore was not recalled. I know of at least three other people who also have experienced this very same issue who have not been included in the recall. I have had two separate mazda service managers confirm this was the same problem as the recall - loose screws in air intake manifold. I need this investigated to determine if more cars should be recalled.

Filed Jul 30, 2005 · Engine · 69,800 miles · CT

One of the butterfly valves on the intake manifold fell off completely. This happened when the last of the two screws holding it on came loose and fell-off and was sucked into the engine. When the part was dismantled, there were only five of the original eight screws remaining. Only one of the four valves was completely connected when the unit was opened. I was driving normally down road and luckily this happened as I was parking my car. The event happened on 7/22/05 and the mazda dealership stated that although they have seen this occur before, there is no tsb or recall. I will need to replace this part of the manifold at a cost of more that $1000 dollars. On a mazda enthusist website that I frequent, at least ten other members have had the same problem with results varying from complete engine replacement, to the same supposed fix as I need. That information can be found at "www.protege5.com" the information is available in numerous places if you search there for "engine noise."

Filed Jun 4, 2004 · Electrical · IL

When driving at any speed vehicles unexpectedly died. Dealer determined that computer needed reprogramming. Two months later the engine died again. *ak the vehicle was taken in for second time where they service dealer could not find the problem. On one occasion the powertrain control module was reprogrammed due to the vehicle stalling.