103 of the
1,377 complaints filed about the Mazda Protege
are about the braking system —
7% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1995.
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.
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 2003 MAZDA PROTG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN AT 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SLIDING ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO SHIFT GEARS BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT THEN ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT TO NO AVAIL AND CRASHED INTO A CURB. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE SENSOR WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
NHTSA complaint #10458566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MAZDA PROTG DX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TAKING HIS VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,000. UPDATED 02/11/11 *BF UPDATED 11/30/2011
NHTSA complaint #10367075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILS ON INCLINES--THIS HAPPENED TO ME AND A WOMAN WITH THE SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR CAR SITTING NEXT TO ME AT AN INSURANCE HEARING! IT CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO BOTH OUR CARS AND HER FRIEND'S PROPERTY.
NHTSA complaint #10213343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT IN EARLY 2006 THAT WAS REPORTED TO THE POLICE AND WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES, THEY WERE NOT EFFECTIVE. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE TYPE OF TIRE I HAD ON MY CAR SO ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO I SPENT 600 FOR TOP OF THE LINE TIRES. ON 11/17/2006, I WAS BEHIND A CAR THAT SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES AND WHEN I APPLIED MINE THEY DID NOT SLOW THE CAR DOWN SO I KEPT PUMPING THEM SO HARD I BRUISED MY FOOT AND CRASHED INTO THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME TOTALING MY CAR. I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON BUT SINCE THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED, THE BELT REMAINED LOOSE AND MY HEAD SMASHED INTO THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERING IT. AFTER GIVING MY INFO TO THE DRIVER I HIT AND MAKING SURE THAT I WAS ALRIGHT, HE LEFT AND SAID NOT TO WORRY AS THE DAMAGE TO HIS CAR WAS MINIMAL AND HE COULD FIX IT HIMSELF. AN OFFICER DID ARRIVE AND NOTED THAT MY TIRE MARKS WERE EXTREMELY FAINT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND ALMOST UNDETECTABLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH SUPPORTED THE BRAKE FAILURE. I DON'T KNOW WHO I NEED TO CONTACT TO EXAMINE MY CAR TO DETERMINE THE BRAKE FAILURE BUT I NEED TO DO THIS BEFORE MY INSURANCE COMPANY CLAIMS THE CAR. ANY ASSISTANCE OR DIRECTION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #10173956 — 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT ABOUT A YEAR TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT IS COMING ON. THE BRAKES ARE NOT TIGHT ENOUGH AND THEY ARE NOT WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #10140678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2002 MAZDA PROTEGE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AT 30 MPH YET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*MR THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED TWO SLIPPED DISK IN HER BACK. AFTER THE VEHICLE'S BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE AIR BAGS TESTED BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO TEST THE AIR BAG. THE INDICATED THAT AS LONG AS THE AIR BAG LIGHT WASN'T ON THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THE RADIO SWITCHES STATIONS ON IT'S OWN. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED 9/7/2004, 40561 MILES. THE VEHICLE ALIGNMENT WONT HOLD. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES DUE TO NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #10122636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
WHILE ON A 300 MILE TRIP,\ I NOTICED A SLIGHT NOISE COMMING FROM MY REAR END. UPON MY RETURN HOME, THE NOISE GOT WORSE AND I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND FOUND THE BRAKE CALIPERS MALFUNCTIONED, AND A COMPLETE REAR END BRAKE JOB COSTING OVER $1,000.00 WAS REQUIRED. SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 52,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS LESS THAN FOUR YEARS OLD I TOOK IT TO THE MAZDA DEALER, AND WAS TOLD SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. ALL THEY COULD DO WAS OFF $175.00 OFF THE BRAKE JOB(STILL OVER $1,000.00). ON A VEHICLE THIS NEW I FEEL THE CALIPERS SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. THE BRAKES STILL HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED AS I AM STILL TRYING TO HAVE MAZDA PAY MORE OF THE COST. REPLACEMENT PARTS NEEDED ARE 2 REAR CALIPERS, 2 ROTORS, 2 SETS OF BRAKE PADS AND 2 BRAKE LINE HOSES.
NHTSA complaint #10117894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
WHILE ON A 300 MILE TRIP,\ I NOTICED A SLIGHT NOISE COMMING FROM MY REAR END. UPON MY RETURN HOME, THE NOISE GOT WORSE AND I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND FOUND THE BRAKE CALIPERS MALFUNCTIONED, AND A COMPLETE REAR END BRAKE JOB COSTING OVER $1,000.00 WAS REQUIRED. SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 52,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS LESS THAN FOUR YEARS OLD I TOOK IT TO THE MAZDA DEALER, AND WAS TOLD SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. ALL THEY COULD DO WAS OFF $175.00 OFF THE BRAKE JOB(STILL OVER $1,000.00). ON A VEHICLE THIS NEW I FEEL THE CALIPERS SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. THE BRAKES STILL HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED AS I AM STILL TRYING TO HAVE MAZDA PAY MORE OF THE COST. REPLACEMENT PARTS NEEDED ARE 2 REAR CALIPERS, 2 ROTORS, 2 SETS OF BRAKE PADS AND 2 BRAKE LINE HOSES.
NHTSA complaint #10117894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE ON A 300 MILE TRIP,\ I NOTICED A SLIGHT NOISE COMMING FROM MY REAR END. UPON MY RETURN HOME, THE NOISE GOT WORSE AND I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND FOUND THE BRAKE CALIPERS MALFUNCTIONED, AND A COMPLETE REAR END BRAKE JOB COSTING OVER $1,000.00 WAS REQUIRED. SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 52,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS LESS THAN FOUR YEARS OLD I TOOK IT TO THE MAZDA DEALER, AND WAS TOLD SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. ALL THEY COULD DO WAS OFF $175.00 OFF THE BRAKE JOB(STILL OVER $1,000.00). ON A VEHICLE THIS NEW I FEEL THE CALIPERS SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. THE BRAKES STILL HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED AS I AM STILL TRYING TO HAVE MAZDA PAY MORE OF THE COST. REPLACEMENT PARTS NEEDED ARE 2 REAR CALIPERS, 2 ROTORS, 2 SETS OF BRAKE PADS AND 2 BRAKE LINE HOSES.
NHTSA complaint #10117894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE ON A 300 MILE TRIP,\ I NOTICED A SLIGHT NOISE COMMING FROM MY REAR END. UPON MY RETURN HOME, THE NOISE GOT WORSE AND I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND FOUND THE BRAKE CALIPERS MALFUNCTIONED, AND A COMPLETE REAR END BRAKE JOB COSTING OVER $1,000.00 WAS REQUIRED. SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 52,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS LESS THAN FOUR YEARS OLD I TOOK IT TO THE MAZDA DEALER, AND WAS TOLD SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. ALL THEY COULD DO WAS OFF $175.00 OFF THE BRAKE JOB(STILL OVER $1,000.00). ON A VEHICLE THIS NEW I FEEL THE CALIPERS SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. THE BRAKES STILL HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED AS I AM STILL TRYING TO HAVE MAZDA PAY MORE OF THE COST. REPLACEMENT PARTS NEEDED ARE 2 REAR CALIPERS, 2 ROTORS, 2 SETS OF BRAKE PADS AND 2 BRAKE LINE HOSES.
NHTSA complaint #10117894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
PREMATURE REAR BRAKE WEAR, BOTH SIDES. BOTH REAR ROTORS (AND THEIR PADS, OF COURSE) HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 20,240 MILES. I WAS CHARGED $378.45 FOR REPAIR. INTERNET DISCUSSION GROUPS REPORT THIS PROBLEM DUE TO CALIPER SLIDES STICKING. SOME DEALERS PERFORM THIS REPAIR FREE; MINE REFUSED.
NHTSA complaint #10116287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
SNOW WOULD BUILD UP INSIDE THE WHEELS. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE BRAKE ROTOR TO FREEZE, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10109261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE'S EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN A HILL. *NM CONSUMER PUT 2 MONTH OLD CHILD IN THE CAR SEAT AND PROCEEDED TO GET IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT STARTED TO ROLL. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GET SOMEONES ATTENTION TO GET THE BABY OUT OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE DOOR WAS OPEN IT HIT A PARKED VEHICLE CAUSING ONE OF THE HINGES ON THE DOOR TO BREAK AND DENTED THE DOOR QUITE A BIT. CONSUMER WAS INJURED WHILE TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE.
NHTSA complaint #10101101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED THEM THREE TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK.....THE TRANSMISSION COST $1,800.00 TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A VEHICLE WITH NOT MUCH MILEAGE SHOULD NOT HAVE A MAJOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE CAR JERKED AND WAS SHIFTING GEARS WHILE DRIVING. IT WAS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #10095414 — 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.