FaultScore

FaultScore report

2002 Mazda Protege problems

Owners have filed 133 complaints about the 2002 Mazda Protege with NHTSA between 2002 and 2019. The largest single group is the seat belts. Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 11 worst.

D

FaultScore 71/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mazda Protege.

How this is worked out

The numbers

133

Complaints

19

Crashes reported

3

Fires reported

20

Injuries reported

65,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

31%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 61 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 54 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 61
Against the median year of the Mazda Protege. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
31.6% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 54
31% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2002 compares with every other Mazda Protege

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2002 Mazda Protege

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Seat Belts 21 15.8%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 80,225 mi

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 26,500 mi

Brakes 11 8.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 22,000 mi

Airbags 10 7.5%

8 crashes, 0 fires · median 42,000 mi

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 134,793 mi

Tires 9 6.8%

Median failure at 103,248 miles

Body & Structure 9 6.8%

Median failure at 83,562 miles

Engine & Cooling 8 6.0%

Median failure at 96,500 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 7 5.3%

Median failure at 75,736 miles

Equipment & Accessories 6 4.5%

1 crashes, 2 fires · median 34,000 mi

Acceleration & Cruise Control 6 4.5%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 58,624 mi

Wheels 5 3.8%

Median failure at 71,000 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 4 3.0%

Median failure at 60,030 miles

Suspension 3 2.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 118,000 mi

Steering 3 2.3%

Median failure at 79,000 miles

Doors, Latches & Locks 2 1.5%

Median failure at 78,562 miles

Seats 1 0.8%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Lights 1 0.8%

Median failure at 118,000 miles

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Automatic Transmission 13 39.4%
Frontal 5 15.2%
Body 3 9.1%
Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. 3 9.1%
Buckle Assembly 3 9.1%
Hinge AND Attachments 2 6.1%
RIM 2 6.1%
AIR Conditioner 2 6.1%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 4 4.7%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 6 7.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 12 14.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 10 11.6%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 17 19.8%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 13 15.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 16 18.6%
150,000+ miles 8 9.3%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Mar 2002 peak 8 May 2019

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 118,000 miles Morrisville, PA 1 injured

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

UNDERNEATH THE CAR IS NOTHING BUT RUST. IT IS AFFECTING THE UNDERCARRIAGE, THE BALL JOINTS, THE CONTROL ARM, AND THE CAR'S FRAME ITSELF. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH BALL JOINTS BOTH CONTROL ARM SHOCK AND THE CAR IS STILL HARD TO STEER

NHTSA complaint #10787735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 118,000 miles Morrisville, PA 1 injured

SUSPENSION

UNDERNEATH THE CAR IS NOTHING BUT RUST. IT IS AFFECTING THE UNDERCARRIAGE, THE BALL JOINTS, THE CONTROL ARM, AND THE CAR'S FRAME ITSELF. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH BALL JOINTS BOTH CONTROL ARM SHOCK AND THE CAR IS STILL HARD TO STEER

NHTSA complaint #10787735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 118,000 miles Morrisville, PA 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY

UNDERNEATH THE CAR IS NOTHING BUT RUST. IT IS AFFECTING THE UNDERCARRIAGE, THE BALL JOINTS, THE CONTROL ARM, AND THE CAR'S FRAME ITSELF. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH BALL JOINTS BOTH CONTROL ARM SHOCK AND THE CAR IS STILL HARD TO STEER

NHTSA complaint #10787735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,624 miles Sacramento, CA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA PROTG. THE CONTACT WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKE BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. SHE STATED THAT THE POLE STRUCK A BUILDING AND CAUSED MINOR DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A CLAIM WAS FILED WITH HER INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FRONT BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,624 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 2/22/11 *CN UPDATED 07/01/11

NHTSA complaint #10370639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 112,000 miles Katy, TX Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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 EXTENSIVE BRUISING BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10368200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 112,000 miles Katy, TX Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS

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 EXTENSIVE BRUISING BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10368200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 123,000 miles Evansville, IN

WHEELS

BULGES ON SIDEWALLS OF BOTH PASSENGER TIRES. TIRES ARE 6 MONTHS OLD AND ONLY HAVE APPROXIMATELY 3,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #11207135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 123,000 miles Evansville, IN

TIRES

BULGES ON SIDEWALLS OF BOTH PASSENGER TIRES. TIRES ARE 6 MONTHS OLD AND ONLY HAVE APPROXIMATELY 3,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #11207135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,000 miles Louisville, KY

SEAT BELTS

I'VE OWNED MY 2002 MAZDA PROTEGE5 FOR 7 YEARS NOW. IT'S ALWAYS HAD A VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING. EVEN AFTER HAVING OUT BRAND NEW BRAKES, ROTORS AND CALIPERS. I'M VERY ANAL ON HOW MY CAR LOOKS AND DRIVES. IF I FEEL SOMETHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY, I KNOW SOMETHING IS OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVER SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR. IT DOES CAUSE ME TO DRIVE MORE CAUTIOUSLY ESPECIALLY IN THE BACK ROADS ALONG WITH WET PAVEMENT. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHILE BRAKING AS WELL. AS FOR THE BODY OF THE CAR, THE PAINT IS FAIDING FAST. IT'S YELLOW, AND I HAND POLISH AND WAX IT ONCE BEFORE SPRING, SUMMER, AND WINTER. I USE MAGUIRES WAX AND POLISH EVERY TIME. AND IT'S ALSO GOT A RUST SPOT ALONG THE BACK LEFT WHEEL LIP. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAINTED AFTER I PLAYED FOR THE CAR. IT WAS MAGICALLY ONLY 24 HOURS FROM THE WARRANTY COVERING IT. OTHER THAN THAT, IT'S BEEN A GREAT CAR. I WOULD PURCHASE ANOTHER IF I CAN FIND ONE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT BOTH OF THESE CONCERNS. PLEASE FIX AND I WOULD DRIVE THIS CAR UNTIL IT HITS 1 MILLION MILES. AS LONG AS YOU KEEP MAINTENANCE UP ON IT, IT LAST FOREVER.

NHTSA complaint #10863216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,000 miles Louisville, KY

STRUCTURE:BODY

I'VE OWNED MY 2002 MAZDA PROTEGE5 FOR 7 YEARS NOW. IT'S ALWAYS HAD A VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING. EVEN AFTER HAVING OUT BRAND NEW BRAKES, ROTORS AND CALIPERS. I'M VERY ANAL ON HOW MY CAR LOOKS AND DRIVES. IF I FEEL SOMETHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY, I KNOW SOMETHING IS OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVER SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR. IT DOES CAUSE ME TO DRIVE MORE CAUTIOUSLY ESPECIALLY IN THE BACK ROADS ALONG WITH WET PAVEMENT. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHILE BRAKING AS WELL. AS FOR THE BODY OF THE CAR, THE PAINT IS FAIDING FAST. IT'S YELLOW, AND I HAND POLISH AND WAX IT ONCE BEFORE SPRING, SUMMER, AND WINTER. I USE MAGUIRES WAX AND POLISH EVERY TIME. AND IT'S ALSO GOT A RUST SPOT ALONG THE BACK LEFT WHEEL LIP. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAINTED AFTER I PLAYED FOR THE CAR. IT WAS MAGICALLY ONLY 24 HOURS FROM THE WARRANTY COVERING IT. OTHER THAN THAT, IT'S BEEN A GREAT CAR. I WOULD PURCHASE ANOTHER IF I CAN FIND ONE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT BOTH OF THESE CONCERNS. PLEASE FIX AND I WOULD DRIVE THIS CAR UNTIL IT HITS 1 MILLION MILES. AS LONG AS YOU KEEP MAINTENANCE UP ON IT, IT LAST FOREVER.

NHTSA complaint #10863216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,000 miles Louisville, KY

SERVICE BRAKES

I'VE OWNED MY 2002 MAZDA PROTEGE5 FOR 7 YEARS NOW. IT'S ALWAYS HAD A VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING. EVEN AFTER HAVING OUT BRAND NEW BRAKES, ROTORS AND CALIPERS. I'M VERY ANAL ON HOW MY CAR LOOKS AND DRIVES. IF I FEEL SOMETHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY, I KNOW SOMETHING IS OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVER SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR. IT DOES CAUSE ME TO DRIVE MORE CAUTIOUSLY ESPECIALLY IN THE BACK ROADS ALONG WITH WET PAVEMENT. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHILE BRAKING AS WELL. AS FOR THE BODY OF THE CAR, THE PAINT IS FAIDING FAST. IT'S YELLOW, AND I HAND POLISH AND WAX IT ONCE BEFORE SPRING, SUMMER, AND WINTER. I USE MAGUIRES WAX AND POLISH EVERY TIME. AND IT'S ALSO GOT A RUST SPOT ALONG THE BACK LEFT WHEEL LIP. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAINTED AFTER I PLAYED FOR THE CAR. IT WAS MAGICALLY ONLY 24 HOURS FROM THE WARRANTY COVERING IT. OTHER THAN THAT, IT'S BEEN A GREAT CAR. I WOULD PURCHASE ANOTHER IF I CAN FIND ONE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT BOTH OF THESE CONCERNS. PLEASE FIX AND I WOULD DRIVE THIS CAR UNTIL IT HITS 1 MILLION MILES. AS LONG AS YOU KEEP MAINTENANCE UP ON IT, IT LAST FOREVER.

NHTSA complaint #10863216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 118,000 miles Morrisville, PA 1 injured

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

UNDERNEATH THE CAR IS NOTHING BUT RUST. IT IS AFFECTING THE UNDERCARRIAGE, THE BALL JOINTS, THE CONTROL ARM, AND THE CAR'S FRAME ITSELF. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH BALL JOINTS BOTH CONTROL ARM SHOCK AND THE CAR IS STILL HARD TO STEER

NHTSA complaint #10787735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 118,000 miles Morrisville, PA 1 injured

SUSPENSION

UNDERNEATH THE CAR IS NOTHING BUT RUST. IT IS AFFECTING THE UNDERCARRIAGE, THE BALL JOINTS, THE CONTROL ARM, AND THE CAR'S FRAME ITSELF. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH BALL JOINTS BOTH CONTROL ARM SHOCK AND THE CAR IS STILL HARD TO STEER

NHTSA complaint #10787735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 118,000 miles Morrisville, PA 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY

UNDERNEATH THE CAR IS NOTHING BUT RUST. IT IS AFFECTING THE UNDERCARRIAGE, THE BALL JOINTS, THE CONTROL ARM, AND THE CAR'S FRAME ITSELF. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH BALL JOINTS BOTH CONTROL ARM SHOCK AND THE CAR IS STILL HARD TO STEER

NHTSA complaint #10787735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 160,000 miles Mahoneycity, PA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA PROTEGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED UP A HILL AND SUDDENLY STOPPED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A TOW YARD. LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS BENT AND THE FUEL AND BRAKE LINES WERE DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED AND WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 11/09/15

NHTSA complaint #10775971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 160,000 miles Mahoneycity, PA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA PROTEGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED UP A HILL AND SUDDENLY STOPPED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A TOW YARD. LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS BENT AND THE FUEL AND BRAKE LINES WERE DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED AND WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 11/09/15

NHTSA complaint #10775971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 160,000 miles Mahoneycity, PA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA PROTEGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED UP A HILL AND SUDDENLY STOPPED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A TOW YARD. LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS BENT AND THE FUEL AND BRAKE LINES WERE DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED AND WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 11/09/15

NHTSA complaint #10775971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 160,000 miles Mahoneycity, PA

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA PROTEGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED UP A HILL AND SUDDENLY STOPPED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A TOW YARD. LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS BENT AND THE FUEL AND BRAKE LINES WERE DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED AND WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 11/09/15

NHTSA complaint #10775971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Glen Burnie, MD

SEAT BELTS

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH BROKE IN THE LATCHED POSITION. NECESSITATED TAKING THE LATCH APART TO RELEASE THE BELT.

NHTSA complaint #10765103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 91,000 miles Peoria, IL

SEAT BELTS

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH AND HIT A BUMP ON THE ROAD THAT CAUSED THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE TO COME LOOSE AND IT GOT IN MY WAY OF THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS LUCKY TO BE DRIVING ON THE LEFT LANE ON ONE WAY STREET, I WAS ABLE PULL OVER, AND TO MY SURPRISE THE BUCKLE WOULDN'T LATCH TO THE FEMALE CONNECTOR. IT SEEMS LIKE THE FEMALE CONNECTOR PIECES INSIDE IT HAD BROKEN. PLEASE CHECK, THIS IS A HUGE CONCERN FOR ANYONE. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON AN INTERSTATE FREEWAY I CAN'T IMAGINE TAKING MY EYES OF THE ROAD FOR EVEN 1 SEC. PLEASE INVESTIGATE!

NHTSA complaint #10663073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 172,000 miles Stony Plain, Ab,Canada, MT

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2002 MAZDA PROTEGE5. WITHOUT WARNING, IT WOULDN'T START. THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BURNED OUT. THE HEAT, STEREO, HEADLIGHTS & POWER WINDOWS ALL WORKED. THE CAR HAD NO POWER AND DIDN'T EVEN TURN OVER. ABOUT 15 MINS LATER, IT STARTED FINE AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM AGAIN UNTIL A FEW DAYS AGO (APPROX A MONTH IN BETWEEN INCIDENTS). SAME THING ALL OVER AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME THE CAR REFUSES TO START. WHAT CAN I DO? WHAT INFO SHOULD I BE AWARE OF? I DISCOVERED ONLINE THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10554718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 880 miles Angier, NC

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA PROTEGE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT THE ENGINE FAILED TO START ACCOMPANIED BY AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE OFTEN WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 880. UPDATED 05/28/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED MODEL YEAR 2003 VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE SAME FAILURE BY THE MANUFACTURER. BUT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO REPAIR MODEL YEARS 2001-2002. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS CONDITION DOES NOT KEEP THE ENGINE FROM STARTING. IT CAN AND HAS CAUSED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE, WHICH SHUTS DOWN THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. UPDATED 05/29/2014

NHTSA complaint #10549546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,500 miles Jacksonville, FL

SEAT BELTS

AT FIRST THE SEAT BELT LOCKED AND I COULD NOT GET OUT OF IT. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO GET IT RELEASED. THANK GOD I WAS IN THE GARAGE AT HOME. THEN APPROX 6 WEEKS LATER I WAS LATCHING THE BELT TO THE BUCKLE AND THE DARN THING FELL APART. THE RIGHT REAR DOOR HANDLE BROKE LAST YEAR BUT SINCE NO ONE SITS BACK THERE I NEVER WORRIED ABOUT IT. NOW WITH THE SEAT BELT ISSUE I WAS SEARCHING FOR THE PART AND SOMEONE SUGGESTED I CHECK THE RECALL LIST FOR THIS CAR, BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO DO THAT. I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON LINE AND THEN THIS SITE.

NHTSA complaint #10521222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Cleveland, OH

SEAT BELTS

THE DRIVER-SIDE SEATBELT LATCH FELL APART. THE SEATBELT IS NO LONGER OPERABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10487552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 103,248 miles Chesapeake, VA

TIRES

TIRE: FIREHAWK GT BL 205/50R16 87V 50K MILE TIRE. TREAD SEPARATION WITH ONLY 13,582 MILES ON THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE TIRE WAS OBSERVED TO BE FLAT. ATTEMPTS TO INFLATE FAILED. REMOVED TIRE AND NOTICED TWO PLACES ON THE INWARD SIDE WHERE TREAD WAS SEPARATING - ONE SPOT WAS JUST OVER AN INCH AND THE OTHER WAS JUST UNDER AN INCH. FULL SET (4) ORIGINALLY PURCHASED AT FIRESTONE COMPLETE AUTO CARE STORE, WHICH IS WHERE THE FAILED TIRE WAS TAKEN THE FOLLOWING MORNING. TIRE HAS SINCE BEEN DISCONTINUED AND WAS REPLACED BY A FALKEN ZIEX 912 BL 205/50R16 87V 40K MILE TIRE. HAD OTHER TIRES INSPECTED FOR SAME ISSUES THE NEXT DAY - SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STATES THE OTHER THREE TIRES DO NOT SHOW ANY SIGNS OF THE PROBLEM. BASED ON TREAD DEPTH, WARRANTY COVERED CLOSE TO 90% OF REPLACEMENT TIRE. IN THE TWO WEEKS SINCE, THE REPLACEMENT TIRE APPEARS TO BE FINE - NO OBSERVABLE MIS-MATCH ISSUES.

NHTSA complaint #10456753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chula Vista, CA

WHEELS

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 WITH THE EXPLOTED TIRE, AND SINCE IT HAPPENED AT 10PM I WILL HAVE TO MISS WORK TO FIX IT, AND BUY A NEW TIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10448883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chula Vista, CA

TIRES

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 WITH THE EXPLOTED TIRE, AND SINCE IT HAPPENED AT 10PM I WILL HAVE TO MISS WORK TO FIX IT, AND BUY A NEW TIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10448883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 156,000 miles Davenport, IA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE CAR BEGAN TO SHUTTER AND DROPPED FROM 50 TO 25 IN SECONDS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (CIL) STARTING FLASHING AND THE CAR BEGAN TO STUTTER LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE, I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CAR DIED. STARTED CAR AGAIN THE CIL CONTINUED TO FLASH, IT ONLY WOULD ACCELERATE TO 25 MILES AN HOURS EVEN WITH MY FOOT ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE GAS. I TOOK IT TO THE A MECHANIC AND THE CODES WERE P0421, 171, 300. THE MECHANIC DID EVERYTHING FROM ENGINE FLUSH, SPARK PLUGS, OIL, AIR FILTERS AND INSTALLED A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. ITS NOW A YEAR LATER AND THE CAR IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING.

NHTSA complaint #10448859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 156,000 miles Davenport, IA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE CAR BEGAN TO SHUTTER AND DROPPED FROM 50 TO 25 IN SECONDS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (CIL) STARTING FLASHING AND THE CAR BEGAN TO STUTTER LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE, I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CAR DIED. STARTED CAR AGAIN THE CIL CONTINUED TO FLASH, IT ONLY WOULD ACCELERATE TO 25 MILES AN HOURS EVEN WITH MY FOOT ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE GAS. I TOOK IT TO THE A MECHANIC AND THE CODES WERE P0421, 171, 300. THE MECHANIC DID EVERYTHING FROM ENGINE FLUSH, SPARK PLUGS, OIL, AIR FILTERS AND INSTALLED A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. ITS NOW A YEAR LATER AND THE CAR IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING.

NHTSA complaint #10448859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 156,000 miles Davenport, IA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE CAR BEGAN TO SHUTTER AND DROPPED FROM 50 TO 25 IN SECONDS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (CIL) STARTING FLASHING AND THE CAR BEGAN TO STUTTER LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE, I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CAR DIED. STARTED CAR AGAIN THE CIL CONTINUED TO FLASH, IT ONLY WOULD ACCELERATE TO 25 MILES AN HOURS EVEN WITH MY FOOT ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE GAS. I TOOK IT TO THE A MECHANIC AND THE CODES WERE P0421, 171, 300. THE MECHANIC DID EVERYTHING FROM ENGINE FLUSH, SPARK PLUGS, OIL, AIR FILTERS AND INSTALLED A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. ITS NOW A YEAR LATER AND THE CAR IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING.

NHTSA complaint #10448859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX

SEAT BELTS

SEATBELT WILL NOT LOCK IN ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND TODAY THE HANDLE BROKE ON THE INSIDE DRIVER'S SIDE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR!

NHTSA complaint #10428055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.