VehicleVerdict

2001 Mazda Protege problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2001 Mazda Protege is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 68 owner complaints run below the Protege median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Complainants reported 16 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (11), airbags (11), and brakes (9), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

68

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

18

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

16

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Protege years?

Protege NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 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, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Protege years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Mazda Protege problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1116%
Engine1116%
Brakes913%
Transmission69%
Tires & Wheels69%
Seat Belts34%
Electrical System34%
Fuel System34%
Speed Control34%
Steering34%
Body & Structure23%
Other23%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)23%
Seats11%
Suspension11%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Lighting11%

Does the 2001 Mazda Protege have recalls?

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

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 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

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

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.

06E064000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 4,029 units

Defect

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

06E038000LightingMay 8, 2006 · 724 units

Defect

CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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

ALFAOTTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALFAOTTO AT 626-656-2992 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALFAOTTO.COM.

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.

“THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD RUN A STOP SIGN AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD-ON WHILE PASSING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. *SC *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 9, 2004 · crash

“TAKATA RECALL I BOUGHT BY 2001 MAZDA PROTEGE A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND WAS NEVER SENT ANYTHING ABOUT ANY RECALLS. AFTER PULLING A CAR FAX REPORT THERE IS 5 RECALLS ALL HAVING TO DO WITH HEADLIGHTS. I'VE RECEIVED A TICKET FOR NO HEADLIGHTS ON WHEN THEY WERE ON AND WAS RECENCTLY IN A CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 21, 2017 · crash

“BRAKE FAILURE ON MY 2001 MAZDA PROTEGE ES WHICH CAUSED ME TO REAR-END ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH VEHICLES ARE TOTAL LOSSES.*AK”

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

“VEHICLE HAS BEEN PULLING TO LEFT WHILE DRIVING SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT REAR AXLE HAD BROKEN. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR REAR AXLE FREE OF CHARGE EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 1, 2001

“TAKATA RECALL I BOUGHT BY 2001 MAZDA PROTEGE A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND WAS NEVER SENT ANYTHING ABOUT ANY RECALLS. AFTER PULLING A CAR FAX REPORT THERE IS 5 RECALLS ALL HAVING TO DO WITH HEADLIGHTS. I'VE RECEIVED A TICKET FOR NO HEADLIGHTS ON WHEN THEY WERE ON AND WAS RECENCTLY IN A CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · January 21, 2017 · crash

2001 Mazda Protege — common questions

Is the 2001 Mazda Protege reliable?

It is close to typical for the Protege: 68 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2001 Protege problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (11 complaints), airbags (11 complaints), brakes (9 complaints).

Does the 2001 Mazda Protege have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 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.