2003 Mazda Protege: engine stalls while driving

Filed Mar 16, 2020 · Engine · 188,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Mar 2, 2020 · Engine · 130,280 miles · CA

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

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 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 Mar 15, 2006 · Engine · 64,800 miles · MI

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 30mph, there was a rattling noise from the engine compartment followed by the engine stalling. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop for inspection. The mechanic determined the screws used for mounting the intake manifold shutter valve broke and fell into the catalytic converter as well as the oil pan and pistons. The vehicle is scheduled for replacement of those screws. There is an emission recall, #3005c, regarding the exhaust system. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.

Filed Jan 11, 2005 · Engine · 14,475 miles · PA

Car stalled at red light, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine. After stalling t more times the car ran for another 3 minutes to ge me home for the evening. I then to it to my local mazda service center.

Filed Dec 21, 2004 · Acceleration, Engine · 715 miles · FL

The vehicle stalled on a continuous basis. The dealer was not able to duplicate the problem. There was also a noise in the front of the vehicle when the accelerator was applied. *jb

Filed Jul 6, 2004 · Engine · 3,000 miles · HI

Intermittently while driving at any speed vehicle stalled. This problem occurred six times since december of 2003. Dealer examined the vehicle, and could not find what the problem was.

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.

Filed May 29, 2004 · Engine · 7,250 miles · GA · crash · 1 injury

While approaching a stop sign, the engine stalled causing the brakes and power steering not to work. I was unable to stop at the stop sign and ran into the embankment on the other side. This car has had a history of engine stalling while running.

Filed Apr 1, 2004 · Engine · 3,400 miles · TX

2003 mazda protege 5 stalled when trying to accelarate from a stop light. This has happened twice already. Both times I was able to restart the car without problems. The dealer can't duplicate problem, and can't figure out what is causing the the problem.