48 of the
1,377 complaints filed about the Mazda Protege
are about the throttle and cruise control —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1995.
48
Complaints
3%
Share of all complaints
12
Crashes
0
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
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.
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.
ON 10/31/09, WHILE MOVING THE '02 MAZDA PROTEGE ES FROM 2ND BAY TO 1ST BAY IN MY SHOP, AT THE 1ST BAY EVEN BRAKE PEDAL BEING APPLIED, THAT CAR RUSHED FORWARD TO THE SHOP WALL ; MY SHOP WALL AND CAR CRASHED. MY ADDRESS IS [XXX](CELL) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10323018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE - THE MAZDA PROTG MENTIONED UNDER "SUBJECT" OF THIS E-MAIL - ACCELERATING WITHOUT THE GAS PEDAL BEING TOUCHED ON AT LEAST THREE OCCASIONS SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW IN THE FALL OF 1996. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXHIBITED INTENSE RUMBLING WHEN IN DRIVE AND WAITING AT IDLE AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. ON ONE OF SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ABOUT THE LATTER PROBLEM, A YOUNG ATTENDANT AT THE DEALER (MAZDA MAPLE SHADE IN MAPLE SHADE, NEW JERSEY) MENTIONED - APPARENTLY INADVERTENTLY - THAT THE RUMBLING WAS A "FACTORY DEFECT". I NEVER MENTIONED THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM SINCE I HAD ALWAYS MANAGED TO PUT ON THE BREAKS FIRMLY WHENEVER IT OCCURRED, AND THEREBY PREVENTED MOVEMENT THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGE TO ANYTHING IN FRONT OF ME AS WELL AS THE CAR. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS AN ELECTRONIC FEATURE THAT CAUSES IT TO AUDIBLY "REV UP" THE MOTOR BRIEFLY (APPROXIMATELY SEVERAL SECONDS, BUT LESS THAN A MINUTE) TO WARM UP. ONCE THE WARM-UP CYCLE ENDS THE CAR "REVS DOWN" TO A NORMAL IDLE SOUND. EVENTUALLY I HAD ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE CAR THAT REQUIRED THAT A MAJOR REPAIR BE DONE TO THE TRANSMISSION - AT EXPENSE TO ME SINCE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I HAD PURCHASED HAD WORN OUT. THE REPAIR FIXED NOT ONLY THE NEW PROBLEM BUT -COINCIDENTALLY ACCORDING TO THE DEALER - THE RUMBLING. I HAVE ALSO NOT HAD THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM SINCE THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WAS FIXED. ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS APPEAR TO ME TO HAVE BEEN CONNECTED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF OTHER PURCHASERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. FROM NHTSA WEB SITE.
NHTSA complaint #10316645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE HAS BEEN IDLING AT A HIGH RPM. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN EXXON STATION AND THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A NEW SPEED CONTROL CABLE. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED, AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR THE SPEED CONTROL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MAZDA DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL, BUT THEY DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HIGH IDLING HAPPENED FREQUENTLY, BUT NOT EVERY TIME SHE STARTED THE CAR. IT ALSO HAPPENSED WHEN SHE STOPPED AT A LIGHT. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS SIGNS OR INDICATOR LIGHTS PRESENT AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10177854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2000 PROTEGE LX ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK IN THE DEPRESSED POSITION. *TS AS A RESULT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. ON FEB 21, 2000 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE CONSUMER HEARD A HIGH PITCHED PING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE NOISE. THE LEFT REAR DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATED AND JERK WHILE ACCELERATING.
NHTSA complaint #10160511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING MY 2000 MAZDA PROTEGE NEW FROM THE DEALER I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPT. WHILE ACCELERATING, THE CAR WOULD JERK AND BUCK AS IF I HIT A BRICK WALL. THE CAR CONTINUED TO DO THIS. EACH TIME I COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE DEPT. AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. I ALSO CONTACTED MAZDA CORP. TO INQUIRE IF THERE WERE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OR RECALLS. I WAS ADVISED THAT MAZDA HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. JUST SHY OF THREE YEARS OF OWNERSHIP I AGAIN TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM CONCERNING THE CAR'S ACCELERATION. THIS WAS MY THIRD REQUEST TO HAVE THE DEALER LOOK INTO THE MATTER. AGAIN, I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE CAR'S ACCELERATION CONTINUED TO ACT UP. ON MAY 26, 2006, WITH 66097 MILES ON THE VEHICLE MY ACCELERATOR STUCK AND I STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A CEMENT BASE LIGHT POLE. EACH TIME I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO SHIFT FROM REVERSE OR DRIVE, MY CAR WOULD TAKE OFF ON ITS OWN. I HAVE SENT THE NHTSA A DETAILED WRITTEN COMPLAINT VIA POSTAL MAIL. THAT COMPLAINT IS DATED JUNE 5, 2006. *NM THERE WAS A HIGH PITCHED NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE UPON ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE CONSUMER A EXPERIENCED A FLAT TIRE, HOWEVER UPON OPENING THE TRUNK SHE DISCOVERED THE TOOL KIT WAS NOT THERE. ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL THE TOOL KIT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE. UPDATED 07/10/06.
NHTSA complaint #10160055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 1995 MAZDA PROTEGE HAS THE GAS AND BRAKE PETALS SO CLOSE IN HEIGHT AND LITTLE SEPARATION THAT IT IS VERY EASY TO APPLY THE BRAKE AND STILL BE APPLYING THE GAS. I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT YET BUT HAVE HAD SOME VERY NEAR MISSES.
NHTSA complaint #10143712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE VEHICLE STALLED ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS ALSO A NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS APPLIED. *JB
NHTSA complaint #10101528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL BACKWARD WHEN THE DRIVER RELEASES THE ACCELERATOR OR THE BRAKE PEDALS. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #10095122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2000 MAZDA PROTEGE DX. SINCE PURCHASE IN 3/2000, THE CAR WILL OCCASIONAL JOLT WHEN ACCELERATING. NO MECHANIC CAN SAY WHY. THE TRUNK IS HARD TO GET INTO. THE REAR DOOR SEALS CONTINUE TO COME FREE (THE BACK SEAT IS REARLY USED). HUB CAP CLAMPS ARE BROKEN/MISSING (POINTED OUT TO ME IN YESTERDAYS OIL CHANGE) NOW RESULTING IN LOSS OF A HUB CAP . THIS MORNING I NOTICED BOTH REAR DOOR WINDOWS WHERE GLASS MEETS THE DOOR- THE TO OF DOOR IS BOWED AND SEAL IS BOWED OUT AS WELL. THE BRAKES SQUEAK- EVERYTIME I HAVE OIL CHANGED (EVERY 3000 MILES) I COMPLAIN, THEY ARE CHECKED AND I AM TOLD THEY ARE FINE.
NHTSA complaint #10060344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED AND VEHICLE HESITATED AND THEN LURCHED FORWARD. DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES, BUT COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10057467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, HE APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL(3 TIMES), BUT THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDING WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE AS A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL MOTOR. *AK *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10033870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ISSUE WITH A 2000 MAZDA PROTEGE ES, 5 SPD. WHEN DRIVING ENGINE WILL HESITATE, WHEN PRESSING ACCELERATOR, CAUSING "JERKING" OF THE CAR AFTER ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED OR RELEASED. IT FEELS LIKE THE FUEL IS NOT DELIVERED PROPERLY. DEALER RAN THE DIAGNOSTICS NUMEROUS TIMES AND WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND OR FIX THE CAUSE. IT SEEMS THAT PROBKEM GOES AWAY WHEN ENGINE WARMS UP.
NHTSA complaint #10020740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CRUISE CONTROL SELECTOR ON THE 2001 MAZDA PROTEGE IS A SHORT STALK ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL. ONCE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ENABLED BY PRESSING A BUTTON IN THE END OF THE STALK, THE CRUISE SPEED IS SELECTED BY MOVING THE STALK DOWN. IF CRUISE IS INTERRUPTED, AS BY STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PRE-SET SPEED CAN BE RESUMED BY MOVING THE STALK UP. SINCE THE STALK CHANGES LOCATION WITH THE MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL, IT IS VERY EASY TO INADVERTENTLY OPERATE THE STALK. I HAVE HIT IT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER (ANOTHER STALK ON THE RIGHT SIDE) AND WHILE TURNING A CORNER. THE HAZARD IS THAT THE ENABLED CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT DISABLED IF THE VEHICLE DROPS BELOW A CERTAIN SPEED, STOPS, OR EVEN WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. IT REMAINS ENABLED UNTIL INTENTIONALLY TURNED OFF. A DRIVER, UNAWARE THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENABLED, COULD ACCIDENTALLY MOVE THE STALK UP TO RESUME, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE TO THE LAST PRE-SET SPEED. EVEN THOUGH A TAP OF THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD INTERRUPT THE ACCELERATION, BY THE TIME THE DRIVER REALIZED IT AND REACTED, A LOT OF DAMAGE COULD BE DONE. A DRIVER COULD ALSO ACCIDENTALLY MOVE THE STALK DOWN AND UNKNOWINGLY SET THE CURRENT SPEED AS THE CRUISE SPEED. IF THE DRIVER LIFTED HIS/HER FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED BUT WOULD CONTINUE AT THE SET SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #10005751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.