Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2003 Mazda Protege
NHTSA data on file today
The 2003 Mazda Protege has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 120 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09E025000 FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E012000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E064000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E038000 FMVSS 108/HEADLAMP/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 34 complaints
- Seat Belts 17 complaints
- Power Train 12 complaints
- Suspension 11 complaints
- Air Bags 10 complaints
- Tires 10 complaints
Of the 120 complaints on file, 16 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 120 complaints, owners report 11 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$6,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2003 Mazda Protege is marked by an average reliability due largely to frequent engine-related complaints. Safety recalls were primarily aftermarket lighting issues, which are less critical. Engine, cooling, and seat belt complaints highlight potential concerns.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine cooling | 90,000–120,000 miles | $400–$700 | common |
| seat belts | 80,000–110,000 miles | $150–$300 | common |
| suspension | 70,000–100,000 miles | $350–$600 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes every 5,000 miles
- Brake fluid replacement every 2 years
- Tire rotation every 7,500 miles
- Coolant flush every 50,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Overheating or coolant leaks
- Seat belt latching issues
- Uneven tire wear or noise
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2003 Mazda Protege at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.