VehicleVerdict

2000 Mazda Protege problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 126 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median Protege year — the 2000 model ranks #4 of 18 Protege years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 26 injuries in total across these filings.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 32 reports (25% of the total).

126

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

33

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

26

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Protege years?

Protege NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted232 complaints1989: 2 complaints1990: 45 complaints1991: 60 complaints1992: 72 complaints1993: 56 complaints1994: 89 complaints1995: 232 complaints1996: 91 complaints1997: 103 complaints1998: 53 complaints1999: 102 complaints2000: 126 complaints2001: 68 complaints2002: 133 complaints2003: 145 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 0 complaints
Protege NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Protege years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Mazda Protege problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission3225%
Airbags2621%
Brakes108%
Engine97%
Seat Belts86%
Tires & Wheels86%
Electrical System65%
Seats54%
Speed Control54%
Suspension43%
Latches & Locks43%
Other32%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Lighting22%
Body & Structure11%
Steering11%

Does the 2000 Mazda Protege have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

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.

01V024000BrakesFebruary 1, 2001 · 13,000 units

Defect

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

Consequence

BRAKE PERFORMANCE WOULD BE DEGRADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“2000 PROTEGE LX ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK IN THE DEPRESSED POSITION. *TS AS A RESULT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. ON FEB 21, 2000 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE CONSUMER HEARD A HIGH PITCHED PING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 26, 2006 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING W. BOUND AT ABOUT 25 MPH, PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR WAS IMPACTED BY VEHICLE GOING S. BOUND AT ABOUT 40 MPH. CAR WAS FORCED SW THROUGH A CURB, A GAS SIGN, AND IMPACTED WITH THE REAR OF A PARKED CAR. ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK, BRAKES INEFFECTIVE AND FINALLY PARKED BY DRIVER. MAJOR PASSENGER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 18, 2003 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, BUT VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN AND IT COLLIDED WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED IN THE COLLISION. *AK ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 16, 2003 · crash

“2000 PROTEGE LX ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK IN THE DEPRESSED POSITION. *TS AS A RESULT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. ON FEB 21, 2000 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE CONSUMER HEARD A HIGH PITCHED PING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 26, 2006 · crash

“LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING MY 2000 MAZDA PROTEGE NEW FROM THE DEALER I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPT. WHILE ACCELERATING, THE CAR WOULD JERK AND BUCK AS IF I HIT A BRICK WALL. THE CAR CONTINUED TO DO THIS. EACH TIME I COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE DEPT. AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 28, 2006 · crash

2000 Mazda Protege — common questions

Is the 2000 Mazda Protege reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 126 complaints put the 2000 model at #4 of 18 Protege years. It is one of the Protege years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 Protege problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (32 complaints), airbags (26 complaints), brakes (10 complaints).

Does the 2000 Mazda Protege have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Mazda Protege. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mazda Protege years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Protege years to avoid are 1995, 2003, 2002, 2000. The cleanest record among Protege years belongs to 2006.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.