VehicleVerdict

2002 Mazda Protege problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 133 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median Protege year — the 2002 model ranks #3 of 18 Protege years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 23 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across seat belts (21), transmission (17), and tires & wheels (14), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

133

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

19

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

23

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Protege years?

Protege NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 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, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Protege years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Mazda Protege problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts2116%
Transmission1713%
Tires & Wheels1411%
Electrical System1310%
Brakes118%
Airbags108%
Body & Structure97%
Engine86%
Fuel System75%
Speed Control65%
Visibility & Wipers43%
Steering32%
Suspension32%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)22%
Latches & Locks22%
Seats11%
Lighting11%
Other11%

Does the 2002 Mazda Protege have recalls?

4 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“MYSELF, THE DRIVER, REAR-ENDED ANOTHER DRIVER AT A SPEED OF 35-40MPH. THE DRIVER SLAMMED ON HIS BRAKES AND I HAD NO TIME TO REACT. THE RESULT IS A TOTALED FRONT END W/ $4000+ OF REPAIRS. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN ME AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WILL BE TOTALED AND I SUFFERED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · November 24, 2010 · crash

“2002 MAZDA PROTEGE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AT 30 MPH YET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*MR THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED TWO SLIPPED DISK IN HER BACK. AFTER THE VEHICLE'S BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE AIR BAGS TESTED BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO TEST THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 26, 2004 · crash

“I WAS DRIVING ON 905 WEST, CLOSE TO THE 805 N EXIT, AND THE ROAD WAS BROKEN. THERE WAS A HOLE ON THE ROAD AND MY CAR'S TIRE EXPLOTED WHEN I DROVE BY IT. MY CAR'S ALIGNMENT IS LOST. I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF IT. UNFORTUNATELY I DIDN'T HAVE A GOOD SPARE TIRE SO I HAD TO DRIVE TO MY HOUSE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · February 21, 2012

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA PROTEGE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE RADIO STOPPED WORKING AND THEN SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE RADIO. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE FUSE TO DISENGAGE THE RADIO AFTER SMELLING THE WIRES BURNING. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE RISK SINCE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 8, 2010 · fire

“2002 MAZDA PROTEGE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AT 30 MPH YET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*MR THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED TWO SLIPPED DISK IN HER BACK. AFTER THE VEHICLE'S BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE AIR BAGS TESTED BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO TEST THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 26, 2004 · crash

2002 Mazda Protege — common questions

Is the 2002 Mazda Protege reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 133 complaints put the 2002 model at #3 of 18 Protege years. It is one of the Protege years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Protege problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (21 complaints), transmission (17 complaints), tires & wheels (14 complaints).

Does the 2002 Mazda Protege have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 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.