MYRModel Year Report

2003 Mazda Protege

◆ Worse than typical
2003 Mazda Protege
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:11:46.944Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mazda Protege Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1989: 2 complaints 1989 1990: 37 complaints 1991: 51 complaints 1992: 63 complaints 1992 1993: 44 complaints 1994: 74 complaints 1995: 165 complaints 1995 1996: 70 complaints 1997: 66 complaints 1998: 46 complaints 1998 1999: 88 complaints 2000: 102 complaints 2001: 50 complaints 2001 2002: 98 complaints 2003: 120 complaints 2003 2004: 0 complaints 2004 2005: 0 complaints 2006: 0 complaints 2006
2003: 120 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19892
199037
199151
199263
199344
199474
1995165
199670
199766
199846
199988
2000102
200150
200298
2003120
20040
20050
20060

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SEAT BELTS 13%

13% of complaints: seat belts — 15 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON A HILL CURVE TURN HE LOST CONTROL ON ICY WET ROAD AND HIT A TREE HE DIED ON 01/29/2013 HE WAS 18 YEARS OLD HE WAS GOING TO SCHOOL AND WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20130529

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%

11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 13 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%

11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 13 distinct reports on file.

TIRES 7%

7% of complaints: tires — 8 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
SUSPENSION 6%

6% of complaints: suspension — 7 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE AREA INSIDE AND OUTSIDE IN TIRES ... MANY SEVERAL WORKSHOPS CAN NOT CORRECT THE ALIGNMENT FAULT ... THE STEERING WHEEL GO TO THE RIGHT AND I HAVE TO FORCE TO THE LEFT ...

NHTSA ODI report, 20171205

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2003 — complaint volume: 120
R 20060510 — exterior lighting

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 CONFOR

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.

Campaign 06E038000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — exterior lighting

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.

Campaign 06E064000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Mazda Protege — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (13 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (13 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E064000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E038000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1990 ▲ 1993 ▲ 1998

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ◆ 2000 ◆ 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Mazda Protege reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Mazda Protege is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mazda Protege?

The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 13% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Mazda Protege have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.