2003 Mazda Protege: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Mazda Protege: 0 recalls, 120 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.
Recalls
0 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 4 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
4 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E038000 · 2006 · 724 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Alfaotto will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. The recall began on May 10, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E064000 · 2006 · 4,029 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and May possibly result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Tradesonic will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 11 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (34): the most common themes are noise or vibration (14), stalls / loses power (11), warning light on (6).
- Seat belts (17): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Transmission & drivetrain (12): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (3), stalls / loses power (2).
- Suspension (11): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (4), noise or vibration (3).
The 2003 Mazda Protege has 120 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 14 Protege model years for complaints (1.6× the average Protege year). Complaints peaked in 2004 (28 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 67,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (98 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S4) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 23 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 Mazda Protege.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 Mazda Protege have any recalls?
NHTSA doesn't list any vehicle recalls for the 2003 Mazda Protege, but 4 equipment or tire recalls may apply. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to be sure.
What are the most common 2003 Mazda Protege problems?
Owners have filed 120 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (34), seat belts (17), transmission & drivetrain (12).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Mazda Protege get?
EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 Mazda Protege repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.