MYRModel Year Report

2002 Mazda Protege

◆ Worse than typical
2002 Mazda Protege
RENDERED 2026-11-01T16:56:27.330Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
98
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Seat belts

21% of complaints

Complaints per year

1989: 2 complaints 1989 1990: 38 complaints 1991: 51 complaints 1992: 63 complaints 1992 1993: 48 complaints 1994: 75 complaints 1995: 165 complaints 1995 1996: 70 complaints 1997: 66 complaints 1998: 46 complaints 1998 1999: 88 complaints 2000: 102 complaints 2001: 50 complaints 2002: 98 complaints 2002 98 2003: 120 complaints 2004: 0 complaints 2005: 0 complaints 2006: 0 complaints
1989: 2 complaints 1989 1990: 38 complaints 1991: 51 complaints 1991 1992: 63 complaints 1993: 48 complaints 1993 1994: 75 complaints 1995: 165 complaints 1995 1996: 70 complaints 1997: 66 complaints 1997 1998: 46 complaints 1999: 88 complaints 1999 2000: 102 complaints 2001: 50 complaints 2002: 98 complaints 2002 98 2003: 120 complaints 2004: 0 complaints 2005: 0 complaints 2005 2006: 0 complaints
1989: 2 complaints 1989 1990: 38 complaints 1990 1991: 51 complaints 1991 1992: 63 complaints 1992 1993: 48 complaints 1993 1994: 75 complaints 1994 1995: 165 complaints 1995 1996: 70 complaints 1996 1997: 66 complaints 1997 1998: 46 complaints 1998 1999: 88 complaints 1999 2000: 102 complaints 2000 2001: 50 complaints 2001 2002: 98 complaints 2002 98 2003: 120 complaints 2003 2004: 0 complaints 2004 2005: 0 complaints 2005 2006: 0 complaints 2006

2002: 98 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19892
199038
199151
199263
199348
199475
1995165
199670
199766
199846
199988
2000102
200150
200298
2003120
20040
20050
20060

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Seat belts

21% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly and rear/other.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The rear seat belt mechanism failed. While riding in the car my daughter fell asleep. When she sat upright the seat belt had twisted around her middle. She was able to release the latch but the seat belt was feeding back in and would not release.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-02-02

Power train

17% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHINJURY

Service brakes

11% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Electrical system

10% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing wiring and ignition.

FIRE

Air bags

10% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving at 35 MPH vehicle was involved in a frontal collision, neither air bag deployed. Dealer and manufacturer had been notified.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-08-26

Driver lost control of vehicle at 60 MPH. Vehicle ran off the road and hit a low concrete structure. Neither airbag deployed, consumer suffered a broken nose. Damage to vehicle was $…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-03-29

I was proceeding southbound on a major street at about 35MPH. A pickup truck came out of a small side street and crossed my path going eastbound with the intent of turning left.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-03-25

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2002Complaint volume 98 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2006-05-10Exterior lighting06E038000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    Date not on fileExterior lighting06E064000 Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Mazda Protege — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 21 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 17 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 11 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E064000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E038000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Mazda Protege reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Mazda Protege is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mazda Protege?
The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Mazda Protege have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.