2003 Mazda Protege Complaint Log

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK MY CAR BEGAN TO SHUDDER AND HICCUP. THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAM ON SO I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY. I STARTED IT BACK UP AND THE CAR HAD A MORE SERIOUS SHUDDER. I GOT IT TO A LOCAL SERVICE STATION AND THEY RAN A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC AND SAID IT WAS A MISFIRE IN THE #4 CYLINDER. THE SPARKPLUG WAS SMASHED. NOTHING WAS FOUND IN THE CYLINDER SO THE SPARKPLUG WAS REPLACED AND TEMPORARILY FIXED THE PROBLEM. TWO WEEKS LATER THE SAME SHUDDER PROBLEM AND AGAIN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS TIME THE #1 CYLINDER WAS THE PROBLEM AND AGAIN WITH THE SAME SMASHED SPARKPLUG. MY MECHANIC THOUGHT IT WAS A VERY ODD OCCURRENCE AND CHECKED AND FOUND THE RECALL #3005C. MY LOCAL MAZDA DEALER THEN SAID MY VIN# DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE RANGE OF THE RECALL AND YET THERE SEEMS TO BE MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM. IT LOOKS LIKE MAZDA IS TRYING TO AVOID THIS PROBLEM. *TR

2003 MAZDA PROTEGE 5 WITH ROUGH IDLING AND OTHER ENGINE ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE HAD A ROUGH IDLE AND THAT IT WOULD HAVE TROUBLE STARTING. *KB WHEN THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE ENGINE, HE FOUND THE SCREWS HAD PASSED THROUGH THE ENGINE AND WERE FOUND IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS AN INTAKE MANIFOLD SHUTTER AND VARIABLE TUMBLE CONTROL VALVE EMISSION RECALL FOR MAZDA PROTEGE'S, HOWEVER THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE RANGE. *JB

PURCHASED A PRE OWNED 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE WITH APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES ON IT. I DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 4000 MILES BEFORE THERE WAS AN ENGINE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO EVENTS THAT LEAD UP TO THIS INCIDENT. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER OF PURCHASE. A SCREW ON AN THE INTAKE CAME LOOSE AND WENT INTO THE ENGINE CYLINDER. DAMAGE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO NEED TO BE REPLACED. MAZDA HAS RECALL 3005C FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR THE EXACT YEAR, MODEL, AND ENGINE AS THE ONE I PURCHASED. HOWEVER, THE VIN NUMBER WAS A FEW THOUSAND NUMBERS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL RANGE. IM STUCK WITH A 15,000 PIECE OF JUNK. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE 5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, HE NOTICED A LOUD RUMBLING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE MOTOR. HE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SHUTTER BECAUSE THE VALVE BROKE OFF AND FELL INTO THE ENGINE. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST HIM. HE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH HIS VEHICLE SINCE THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 214,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA PROTG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC CHECKED THE CODES AND STATED THAT THE ENGINE MISFIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LATCH AND THE SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THE LIGHT AS LONG AS THE BELT WOULD LATCH. HOWEVER, THE BELT NO LONGER LATCHES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 93,000.

WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY TO MY HOME AFTER WORK THE CAR STALLED AT A STOP LIGHT. )WHEN RESTARTED THERE WAS A LOUD CLANKING/HAMMERING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS THEN THE SOUND WENT AWAY, THE CELL LIT UP AND THE ENGINE STARTED SHAKING. WHEN CHECKED FOR CODES A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER -4 WAS FOUND. (THE SPARK PLUG ON CYLINDER 4 HAD BEEN SMASHED FLAT BY A FOREIGN OBJECT THAT CAUSED THE HAMMERING NOISE, NOTHING WAS FOUND INSIDE THE CYLINDER , USING A MAGNET. THE SPARK PLUG WAS REPLACED AND THE CAR WORKED AS NORMAL. UPON INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET I FOUND RECALL 3005C FOR THE VEHICLE THAT DESCRIBES MY PROBLEM AND IF NOT FIXED CAN CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE. WHEN CONTACTING MAZDA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE THEY SAID MY VIN WAS NOT IN RANGE FOR THIS RECALL AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE MY CAR HAS 61000 MILES AND EVEN THOUGH THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY IS STILL ACTIVE, THE REGULAR WARRANTY IS OVER.*AK

I PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW IN JAN 04. WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY, I FELT A "HICCUP" IN THE ENGINE AT WHICH TIME IT RAN VERY POORLY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME. THE SERPENTINE BELT HAD ALSO JUMPED ABOUT 25% OFF DRIVE PULLEYS. I WAS TRAVELING OUT OF TOWN AT THIS TIME AND TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SERVICE STATION. TECHNICIAN IDENTIFIED PROBLEM AS AN ENGINE MISFIRE AND INSTALLED A NEW BELT. I DECIDED NOT TO HAVE SERVICE STATION PERFORM ANY ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSIS PREFERRING TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP INSTEAD. DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT A SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED AND CAME APART. DEALERSHIP THEN REPLACED ALL SPARK PLUGS. VEHICLE RAN FINE. APPX 1 MONTH LATER, EXACT SYMPTOMS OCCURRED - ENGINE HICCUP, ROUGH IDLE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. AGAIN I TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. MASTER TECH WAS ASSIGNED TO MY VEHICLE THIS TIME AND DETERMINED CAUSE TO BE SHUTTER VALVE SCREWS HAD COME LOOSE FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND ENTERED ENGINE CAUSING DAMAGE TO SPARK PLUG. TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME OF RECALL # 3005C THAT HAD BEEN ISSUED AND THAT HE WOULD CONTACT HIS REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER TO REQUEST THE REPAIR BE COVERED BY MAZDA. REGIONAL SVC MGR DECLINED TO COVER COSTS STATING MY SPECIFIC VIN WAS NOT IN THE EFFECTED RANGE AND THAT MY MILEAGE WAS TOO HIGH. I LOOKED UP THE RECALL AND DETERMINED THE RECALL ISSUE DATE TO BE 6/1/05. AT THAT TIME MY MILEAGE WOULD HAVE BEEN 40,000 TO 50,000 MILES. I THEN CONTACTED MAZDA USA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE - REFERENCE NUMBER 112751060. I WAS TOLD THAT MAZDA WOULD NOT COVER THE EXPENSE BECAUSE MY VIN # WAS NOT IN THE RANGE OF EFFECTED VEHICLES. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT VIN RANGE WAS DETERMINED BY THE NHTSA AND NOT BY MAZDA AND THAT IT WAS ILLEGAL FOR MAZDA TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR EXPENSE. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A LIE ON THE PART OF MAZDA. I BELIEVE MAZDA IS NOT ACCEPTING ITS' RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CONSUMER BECAUSE THIS WOULD BE ADMITTING THE PROBLEM IS LARGER THAN THE ORIGINAL SCOPE AND WILL COST THE COMPANY A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY. *JB

FOR OVER TWO AND A HALF YRS, MY CAR HAS HAD A ROUGH IDLING NOISE AND THE ENGINE OFTEN HESITATES AND WANTS TO TURN OFF. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE ENGINE HAS HESITATED AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. VERY RECENTLY A LOUD NOISE WAS COMING FROM MY ENGINE. (YOU COULD HEAR A RATTLING NOISE) IT SOUNDED LIKE A PIECE OF METAL RATTLING AROUND IN THE ENGINE. A YEAR AGO I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF A RECALL (RECALL 3005C) TO GET IT CHECKED OUT (THIS IS WHAT THE LETTER FROM MAZDA ASKED ME TO DO) MY CAR WAS THERE ONLY TWO HOURS AND ONLY LOOKED AT MAYBE ABOUT THIRTY MINUTES. I RECEIVED AN OIL CHANGE AND THEN THEY WERE TO INSPECT IT DUE TO THE RECALL. WHEN I RETRIEVED MY CAR THEY GAVE ME A CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION, BUT INFORMED ME THAT NOTHING HAD BEEN FIXED AND THAT THEY WERE ONLY AUTHORIZED TO INSPECT. THAT IF THE PART BROKE THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A RECALL. HERE I AM ONE YEAR LATER AND I HAD MY CAR LOOKED AT AND IT APPEARS THAT TWO OF THE SCREWS MUST HAVE COME LOOSE DUE TO THE RECALL. (THEY WERE FOUND IN MY EXHAUST) I GOT NO HELP FROM THE DEALER. I FOUND THE RECALL INSTRUCTIONS ONLINE FROM MAZDA TO THE DEALER WHICH INSTRUCTS THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE PARTS IF THEY HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED ON ANY PREVIOUS OCCASION (WHICH WAS PROCEDURE B). AND IF IT HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY WORKED ON THEY ARE TO PROCEED WITH PROCEDURE A WHICH INSTRUCTS THEM TO DO AN AIR COMPRESSION INSPECTION FOR INTERNAL DAMAGE AND GIVE A CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. THEY DID THE WRONG PROCEDURE ON MY CAR AND NEVER ACTUALLY DID WHAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR MY CAR TO BE LEGAL AND OK TO DRIVE. THEY ARE NOW AVOIDING MY CALLS AND NOT RETURNING NUMEROUS E-MAILS OR VOICE MAILS. I HAVE BEEN TRYING THE DEALER AND MAZDA THEMSELVES. ON TUES .I RECEIVED NOTHING BUT RUDE MOCKING FROM EACH PLACE TELLING ME THAT IT WAS MY PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TRYING EVERYDAY SINCE AND I HAVE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. *NM UPDATED 2/23/2007 - INTAKE MANIFOLD SHUTTER AND VARIABLE TUMBLE CONTROL VALVES.*NM

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON 12/27/06 AT 35 MPH, HAD HIGH BEAM HEAD LIGHTS ON ,AND HE TRIED TO TOGGLE THE HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM AND ALL THE LIGHTS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PLAYED WITH THE TOGGLE SWITCH AND THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON SECONDS LATER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP ON 12/29/06. THE MECHANIC LOOKED AT VEHICLE, AND TOLD THE CONTACT THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HASN'T HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE, BUT DID FIND A RECALL #06E038000.*AK UPDATED 03/07/07. *JB

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. *AK

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.*CN

MY DAUGHTER DROVE MY MAZDA PROTEGE 5 TO PICK UP MY SON AND TO RETRIEVE SOMETHING FROM A FRIEND'S HOUSE. SHE PARKED THE CAR ON THE FRIEND'S FLAT DRIVEWAY, PLACING IT IN FIRST GEAR. WHILE SHE WAS INSIDE OF THE HOUSE, THE CAR SOMEHOW POPPED OUT OF GEAR AND PICKED UP ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO ROLL ONTO THE ROAD. THE ROAD WAS A HILL, WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO ACCELERATE. THE CAR ENDED UP STRIKING A HOUSE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SHRUBBERY OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE. NOBODY COULD FIND ANY APPARENT PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR/TRANSMISSION. *CN

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN HESITATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE COMPUTER GAVE A CODE STATING A MISFIRE IN THE FIRST CYLINDER. THE SPARK PLUG WAS TAKEN OFF AND THE GAP WAS CLOSED. THE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS THEN TAKEN OFF AND THE SCREW HAD COME OFF, THIS CLOSED THE GAP ON THE SPARK PLUG. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS BEING REPLACED.

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA PROTG. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM SPLIT IN HALF AND THE STRUT WENT THROUGH THE FENDER ALONG WITH THE UPPER CONTROL ARM. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NORMAL. WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT THE GROUND BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED AS A RESULT. THE POLICE FILED A REPORT; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT FEELS THAT SOME OF THE INFORMATION IS INCORRECT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY HITTING SOMETHING IN THE ROAD; THE CONTACT DISAGREED. THE DEALER WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR UNDER THE WARRANTY. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE INSTALLING THE INFANT CHILD SEAT THE ANGLE ADJUSTMENT ON THE BASE BROKE DUE TO THE ADJUSTMENT PEGS. THE EVENFLO MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. THE INFANT CHILD SEAT IS AN EVENFLO EMBRACE 5 MODEL NUMBER 5481586 BUILT ON AUGUST 5, 2005. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE INFORMATION. *AK

FLAT TIRE CAUSED ME TO USE JACK THAT CAME WITH MY CAR, AFTER PLACING IT CORRECTLY UNDER MY CAR AND LIFTING CAR THE JACK THEN BENT AND SENT MY CAR CRASHING DOWN ON ITS ROTOR NEARLY LANDING ON MY ARM. I STILL HAVE THE JACK AND I CONTACTED THE MAZDA COMPANY TO REPLACE THE JACK. THEY ARE SENDING GIFT CERTIFICATE AND LOOKING INTO THE MATTER. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30MPH, THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOLLOWED BY THE ENGINE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE SCREWS USED FOR MOUNTING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SHUTTER VALVE BROKE AND FELL INTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AS WELL AS THE OIL PAN AND PISTONS. THE VEHICLE IS SCHEDULED FOR REPLACEMENT OF THOSE SCREWS. THERE IS AN EMISSION RECALL, #3005C, REGARDING THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

MY ENGINE FAILED CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY. MY CAR REQUIRED ABOUT $1,000 WORTH OF REPAIRS, USING USED PARTS, AND I HAVE PERMANENT ENGINE DAMAGE THAT WILL ULTIMATELY SHORTEN THE LIFE OF MY ENGINE. THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO LOOSE SCREWS LOCATED IN THE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD, THAT ALLOWED FOR A BAFFLE OR BUTTERFLY VALVE TO BREAK AND ENTER MY ENGINE. THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM WAS RECALLED BY MAZDA FOR VEHICLES MADE FROM MARCH OF 2003 TO JULY OF 2003, MINE WAS MANUFACTURED IN FEBRUARY OF 2003, AND THEREFORE WAS NOT RECALLED. I KNOW OF AT LEAST THREE OTHER PEOPLE WHO ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS VERY SAME ISSUE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I HAVE HAD TWO SEPARATE MAZDA SERVICE MANAGERS CONFIRM THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL - LOOSE SCREWS IN AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD. I NEED THIS INVESTIGATED TO DETERMINE IF MORE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED. *JB

I WAS TAKING A CORNER ON HWY 36 AND HIT GRAVEL ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD DID A NOSE DIVE INTO A DITCH FLIP FORWARD END OVER END, SLID AND ROLLED TWICE. NON OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NEITHER DRIVER OR PASSENGER. I AM NOT POSITIVE BUT MY CAR SHOULD HAVE HAD SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS BUT THEY DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER. *JB

ON THE 2003 AND 2003.5 MAZDA MAZDASPEED PROTEGE, OF WHICH ONLY 4750 CARS WERE PRODUCED. THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST 46 WEB DOCUMENTED FAILURES OF THE DIFFERENTIAL BREAKING ON THESE CARS. THE 47TH KNOWN FAILURE WAS RECENTLY MY NEPHEW. SEE LINK FOR A LIST OF FAILURES. HTTP://WWW.MSPROTEGE.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=64821&HIGHLIGHT=LSD+FAILURE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFTEY ISSUE IF THIS DECIDES BREAK WHILE PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF A SEMI OR ANYTHING ELSE. AS AN OWNEROF ONE OF THESE CARS, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE, BEFORE MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE IS HURT OR KILLED. *NM

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING AN '03 MAZDA PROTEGE5. UPON IMPACT MY SEAT BELT FAILED. *JB

ONE OF THE BUTTERFLY VALVES ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FELL OFF COMPLETELY. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE LAST OF THE TWO SCREWS HOLDING IT ON CAME LOOSE AND FELL-OFF AND WAS SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE. WHEN THE PART WAS DISMANTLED, THERE WERE ONLY FIVE OF THE ORIGINAL EIGHT SCREWS REMAINING. ONLY ONE OF THE FOUR VALVES WAS COMPLETELY CONNECTED WHEN THE UNIT WAS OPENED. I WAS DRIVING NORMALLY DOWN ROAD AND LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR. THE EVENT HAPPENED ON 7/22/05 AND THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP STATED THAT ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE SEEN THIS OCCUR BEFORE, THERE IS NO TSB OR RECALL. I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THIS PART OF THE MANIFOLD AT A COST OF MORE THAT $1000 DOLLARS. ON A MAZDA ENTHUSIST WEBSITE THAT I FREQUENT, AT LEAST TEN OTHER MEMBERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH RESULTS VARYING FROM COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT, TO THE SAME SUPPOSED FIX AS I NEED. THAT INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT "WWW.PROTEGE5.COM" THE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE IN NUMEROUS PLACES IF YOU SEARCH THERE FOR "ENGINE NOISE." *JB

I HAVE HAD TWO OCCURRENCES OF SCREWS FROM THE BUTTERFLY VALVES ON THE VTCS SYSTEM FROM THE INTAKE OF MY 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE 5 COMING LOOSE AND BEING SUCKED INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER OF THE VEHICLE. EACH INSTANCE HAS CAUSED THE PISTON TO KNOCK THE SCREW INTO THE SPARK PLUG, THEREBY CAUSING FAILURE OF A SPARK PLUG, WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO MISFIRE TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS UNDRIVABLE, THEREBY LEAVING ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS MISDIAGNOSED (SPARK PLUG REPLACED). THE SECOND WAS DIAGNOSED CORRECTLY AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE 2.0L FS-ZE MAZDA ENGINE. MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM. FOR MORE INFORMATION TO DEMONSTRATE THE PREVALENCE OF THE PROBLEM, PLEASE VISIT HTTP://WWW.MSPROTEGE.COM AND SEARCH USING THE KEYWORDS "VCTS" AND "SCREW". YOU WILL SEE MANY THREADS WHERE PEOPLE ARE DISCUSSING THIS PROBLEM. *NM

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.*AK

DRIVERS FRONTAL IMPACT AT 45 MPH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY CAR 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE 5 WAS TOTALED. NOW I AM HAVING NECK AND BACK PAIN WHEN I USE MY CAR. I CALLED MAZDA THEY TOLD ME TO USE MY INSURANCE COM. TO INVESTGATE THE AIRBAGS AND GET WITH MADZA. *JB

2003 MAZDA PROTEGE (MANUAL TRANSMISSION); HAVE TROUBLE GOING INTO REVERSE AND SOMETIMES INTO FIRST GEAR; ALSO, UNABLE TO TAKE KEY OUT OF IGNITION; DRIVER WINDOW FEELS LIKE IT IS ROLLING OFF TRACK WHEN ROLLED DOWN. PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE FIRST BEGAN SOME TIME IN MARCH 2005.

THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING UNCONTROLLABLY THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND PULL OVER. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT TIRE HAD BLOWNED. THE DRIVER CALLED FOR ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE AND DROVE TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE ALL FOUR TIRES NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE TIRE SIZE AND DOT NUMBER. *JB

I HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE TIRES ON MY 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE. FIRST THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO GET USED TO THE LOW-RISE TIRES. I DIDN'T DRIVE IN ANY SNOW THAT FIRST WINTER, BUT THE WINTER OF 2004-2005 I WAS DOING DOUGHNUTS ON OVERPASSES & STREETS. THE DEALER GAVE ME THE CUSTOMER CARE PHONE # BECAUSE "THEY DON'T HANDLE TIRES". CUSTOMER CARE SAID, "I CAN'T HELP IF YOU LIVE IN EXTREME CONDITIONS." ALL HE COULD OFFER ME FOR A SOLUTION WAS TO BUY WINTER TIRES & RIMS (AS THEY AREN'T INTERCHANGEABLE) FOR ABOUT $2,000. A MAN IN MY OFFICE SAID HIS FAMILY WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIRS. I TRIED TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH MAZDA TO NO AVAIL. I THOUGHT I DIDN'T HAVE ANY RECOURSE, BUT RECENTLY I WAS IN FOR SERVICE TWICE & A SERVICE REP TOLD ME HE HAS THE SAME MODEL CAR & IT IS SO UNSAFE HE WON'T LET HIS WIFE DRIVE IT. HE ENDED UP PUTTING ON OVERSIZED TIRES TO MAKE IT SAFER. SHORTLY THEREAFTER A SALESPERSON WHO SAID HE WAS IN SERVICE PRIOR TO SALES SAID THAT THEY KNEW THEY PUT THREE-SEASON TIRES ON THAT MODEL. HE ALSO RECOMMENDED BUYING A SET OF WINTER TIRES/RIMS AS THEY DON'T MAKE ALL-SEASON TIRES FOR THAT CAR. BOTH OF THESE MEN SAID I SHOULD CALL THE CUST CARE LINE AGAIN & NOTIFY YOU IF THEY WOULDN'T HELP. THE DEALER WOULD NOT GIVE ME THE CC #. I AM A GOOD DRIVER MY DAD TAUGHT DRIVING SCHOOL & LEARNED TO DRIVE FROM HIM. THESE TIRES ARE DANGEROUS. I SHAKE EVERY TIME I HAVE TO DRIVE IN THE SNOW & AVOID IT AT ALL COSTS. I HAVE LEARNED TO PROTECT MYSELF IN THE RAIN (THE CAR SLIPS); I WATCH THAT NO CARS ARE CLOSE WHEN I PULL OUT OF A STOP SO I DON'T SLIDE INTO THEM. I ALSO HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RUN AROUND ABOUT OTHER DEFECTS (IT'S VERY HARD TO PUT THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE; THEY TOLD ME TO JUST PLAY WITH IT, TRY PUTTING IT IN 1ST GEAR, THEN TRY REVERSE. THEY SAID IT WOULD LOOSEN IN TIME, BUT IT HAS ONLY GOTTEN HARDER). PLEASE HELP ME. I AM A WOMAN ALONE & NEED ASSISTANCE IN THIS. *JB

CAR STALLED AT RED LIGHT, THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. AFTER STALLING T MORE TIMES THE CAR RAN FOR ANOTHER 3 MINUTES TO GE ME HOME FOR THE EVENING. I THEN TO IT TO MY LOCAL MAZDA SERVICE CENTER.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH BACK RIGHT TIRE WENT FLAT INSTANTLY WITHOUT WARNING. TIRE MAKE: BRIDGESTONE POTENZA P195/55R15. THE TIRE SHOWED NO SIGNS OF WEAR OR DAMAGE AND WAS ONLY DRIVEN ON FOR 25,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP (PEPBOYS) AND THEY FOUND THAT THE INSIDE STEEL BELT HAD BROKE AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO FAIL. I REPLACED THAT TIRE WITH ANOTHER BRAND (COST $100), AND STILL HAVE THE DAMAGED BRIDGESTONE TIRE FOR EVIDENCE.*AK

I HAVE A 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, I PAID EXTRA FOR A SIDE AIRBAGS AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE PACKAGE. ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 20TH OF 2004, I WAS BROAD SIDED BY A 1990 HUGE CHEVY WORK PICK UP. I WAS GOING 40 MPH, I ESTIMATE THE TRUCK AT THE SAME. MY SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. IF I HAD NOT SEEN THE TRUCK COMING AND OFFSET THE ANGLE OF IMPACT, MY BROTHER AND I WOULD MOST LIKELY BE IN THE HOSPITAL RIGHT NOW. WHEN I CONTACTED MAZDA CONSUMER AFFAIRS, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE NOT GUARANTEED TO DEPLOY AND ?MADE A NOTE IN MY FILE THEY FAILED TO DEPLOY.? AT NO POINT DURING THE BUYING PROCESS WAS I TOLD THEY WERE NOT GUARANTEED. WHEN TALKING TO MAZDA?S CONSUMER AFFAIRS, I WAS ALSO TOLD THEY WOULD NOT LOOK INTO THE FAILURE UNLESS MY INSURANCE COMPANY CAME AFTER THEM. *NM

CLUTCH APPARENTLY FAILED TO ENGAGE TRANSMISSION AFTER BEING DRIVEN 15 MILES TO WORK WITH NO APPARENT SYMPTOMS THAT IT WAS GOING TO FAIL. VEHICLE HAS PREVIOUSLY HAD A MOTOR MOUNT BREAK THAT WAS COVERED UNDER THE TERMS OF THE WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THE MOTOR MOUNT FAILURE CAUSED A MISALIGNMENT OF THE DRIVE TRAIN WHICH RESULTED IN THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH. MAZDA HAS REFUSED TO COVER THE CLUTCH AS A WARRANTY REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THEY DID THE MOTOR MOUNT REPAIR. AT THE TIME THE MOTOR MOUNT FAILED THE MOTOR OR TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING AN AWFUL RACKET. THE CLUTCH SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS UNDER AN AWFUL STRAIN! *JB

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 *SC

2003 MAZDA PROTEGE RADIO SEEMS TO BE DEFECTIVE. DEALER REPLACED RADIO THAT HAD A NONFUNCTIONAL VOLUME CONTROL WITH ONE THAT HAD SAME ISSUE. DEALER IS REORDERING PART. *JB

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. ON EACH OCCASION, WITHIN THREE WEEKS OR LESS , THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. *AK

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 ... ALL THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION PART ARE NEW , INCLUDING THE SHOCK ABSORBER IS NEW AND CONTROL ARM AND LINK ROD AND BUSHING ...THE CENTRIC BOLT NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE ...I SEE OVER ETHERNET MANY PEOPLE HAS THE SAME FAIL IN THIS CAR ..I BUY THIS CAR NEW AND NEVER CRASHED OR OR MISTREATED ..I REPORT THIS IN THIS YEAR BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME IT'S A MANUFACTURING FAULT..AND I HAVE HAD TOO MUCH EXPENSES AND I CAN NOT SOLVE ... RIGHT NOW I NEED TO BUY OTHER TIRES...PLEASE I NEED A SOLUTION ...I SEND A ETHERNET PHOTO AND THE CAR AND COLOR IS SAME ...TO REMEMBER THE MILLEAGE VALOR AND YEAR PRESENTED IN THE NEXT QUESTION IN THIS FORM IS APPROXIMATED ...THANK YOU I WAIT YOU RESPONSE

OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD. DEALER DISCOVERED FOUR SOLENOIDS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THEY WERE STEEL PLATED. MANUFACTURER STATED CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO REPAIR AT HIS OWN COST.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT 4 SOLEROIDS INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION ARE GOING BAD. STEEL PLATES IN TRANSMISSION SHOW THERMAL DAMAGE. REAR DOOR LOCKS NOT FUNCTIONING AND MAKING A SHORTING SOUND. *TC

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.

WHILE DRIVING A FLAT TIRE. CHANGED THE FLAT, AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE. UPON COMING TO A STOP SIGN AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES VEHICLE CONTINUED THROUGH THE STOP SIGN. THIS HAPPENED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE ABS KICKED IN, MAKING A BUMMING NOISE. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT MAY BE THE ABS. *AK

VEHICLE WENT BACKWARDS EVEN AFTER CONSUMER PUT THE GEAR INTO PARK.*MR WHEN THE CONSUMER GOT BACK IN THE CAR AFTER LEAVING IT RUNNING SHE NOTICED THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT WAS ON, BUT THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT CAME TO REST ON ITS OWN AFTER ROLLING IN A DITCH. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLES UNEXPECTEDLY DIED. DEALER DETERMINED THAT COMPUTER NEEDED REPROGRAMMING. TWO MONTHS LATER THE ENGINE DIED AGAIN. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SECOND TIME WHERE THEY SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. ON ONE OCCASION THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE WAS REPROGRAMMED DUE TO THE VEHICLE STALLING. *SC

2003 MAZDA THAT WAS PURCHASED WITH A DAMAGED WINDSHIELD.*MR THE WINDSHIELD APPEARED SMEARED ALTHOUGH THE CONSUMER CLEANED IT. THE CONSUMER SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO GLASS SHOP WHERE THEY DETERMINED THERE WAS A FLAW IN THE LAMINATE. *NM

WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE ENGINE STALLED CAUSING THE BRAKES AND POWER STEERING NOT TO WORK. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP AT THE STOP SIGN AND RAN INTO THE EMBANKMENT ON THE OTHER SIDE. THIS CAR HAS HAD A HISTORY OF ENGINE STALLING WHILE RUNNING. *LA

MAZDAS PEED PROTEGE SUFFERS FROM EXCESS TORQUE STEER AND VERY UNSTABLE STEERING AT SPEEDS OVER 30 MILE PER HOUR. IF YOU EXCELLERATE HARD THE VEHICLE WILL JUMP LEFT OR RIGHT DEPENDING ON SPEED. ALSO WHEN TRAVELLING AT HIGHWAY SPEED VEHICLE WILL SWERVE LEFT OR RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING OR FOR ANY NOTICABLE REASON ALSO AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE VEHICLE TENDS TO DRIFT IN ITS LANE. DEALER SERVICE STATES THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR A HIGH PERFORMANCE VEHICLE AND NOTHING IS WRONG. I HAVE OWNED MANY HIGH PERFORMANCE AUTOMOBILES AND HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. THIS CONDITION HAS ALMOST RESULTED IN ACCIDENTS ON MANY OCCASIONS AND ONLY RADICAL STEERING HAS PREVENTED AN ACCIDENT SO FAR.*AK

2003 MAZDA PROTEGE 5 STALLED WHEN TRYING TO ACCELARATE FROM A STOP LIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE ALREADY. BOTH TIMES I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR WITHOUT PROBLEMS. THE DEALER CAN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM, AND CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THE THE PROBLEM.*AK

ENGINE HAS A VERY BAD HESITATION DURING EXCELERATION, BOTH FROM A STANDING AND ROILLING START. HESITATION IS BAD ENOUGH TO CAUSE VEHICLE CONTROL PROBLEMS DURRING THE WINTER WHEN DRIVING ON SNOW OR DURING RAINY CONDITIONS. ENGINE HAS ALREADY HAD THE PCM MODULE REPROGRAMED AS PER OUTSTANDING SERVICE BULLETIN THIS FIXED THE ENGINE MISSING UNDER SAME CIRCUMSTANCE BUT DOES NOT CORRECT THE HESITATION. DEALER HAS LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE 2 TIMES AND CANNOT FIND OR FIX THE PROBLEM.

I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION IN MY 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE5 WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 10-20MPH. THE OTHER PARTY WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 20-25MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER DIDN'T WORK (I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT) AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS INFATED. THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR WAS MAINLY STRUCTURAL, ESTIMATES TO FIX THE CAR WERE APPROXIMATELY $13,000-$14,000, SUBSEQUENTLY THE CAR WAS 'TOTALED'. TO DESCRIBE THE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE, THE FRAME WAS BENT, THE RIGHT FENDER AND STRUCTURAL PARTS UNDERNEATH WERE BUCKLED AT THE WINDSHIELD, AND QUITE A FEW ENGINE COMPONENTS DESTROYED AS WELL AS ALL OF THE 'COSMETIC' PARTS ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE DAMAGE WAS CLASSIFIED BY THE REPORTING POLICE DEPARTMENT AS "MAJOR". IN THIS ACCIDENT, I RECEIVED A PATELLA (KNEECAP) FRACTURE THAT IS SEVERE ENOUGH TO KEEP ME OFF WORK FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE WEEKS. PHYSICAL THERAPY WILL CONTINUE FOR A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY 6-8 WEEKS. MEDICAL BILLS WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $8000 OR MORE. ON MARCH 19, 2004, I VISITED THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM ON JANUARY 4, 2004 (THE CAR HAD ONLY 1204 MILES ON IT AT TIME OF ACCIDENT). I INQUIRED FROM THE AVAILABLE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WHERE THE AIRBAG SENSOR WAS LOCATED. IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME THAT "THERE'S A BOX THAT SITS CLOSE TO THE DASH, IN FRONT OF THE RADIO/CD CHANGER. IN THIS BOX IS A CUP WITH A LITTLE BALL IN IT. AROUND THE CUP ARE THE SENSORS THAT, IF THE CUP AND BALL ARE JARRED ENOUGH IN A COLLISION, WILL SET OFF THE AIRBAGS." I HAVE BEEN ASKED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY (ESURANCE), BY THE OTHER PARTY'S INSURANCE COMPANY (AAA), AND THE COLLISION CENTER (1ST CLASS COLLISION) WHY THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF. I SEE THE OTHER TWO COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME EQUIPMENT FAILURE AND AM WONDERING WHEN THERE WILL BE SOMETHING DONE - DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED BEFORE AN INVESTIGATION IS STARTED? THIS AIRBAG SENSOR SYSTEM OBVIOUSLY SEEMS TO BE AN INADEQUATE FEATURE OF THIS MODEL OF MAZDA.*AK

THE STEREO UNIT ON THE MAZDA SPEED PROTEGE IS VERY DEFECTIVE. THIS UNIT IS MANUFACTURED BY KENWOOD. THE STEREO SUFFERS FROM MULTIPLE INTERMITENT FAILURES AND PROBLEMS. THE MOST NOTICABLE ARE AS FOLLOWS: VOLUME DIMS AND SURGES AFTER THE STEREO IS ON WHEN USING THE DEFROSTER ON THE VEHICLE. SUB-WOOFER BLOWS OUT UNDER NORMAL USAGE, PRONOUNCED WHINE WITH THE ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE WHEN LISTENING TO THE RADIO, RANDOM LOCK UP OF THE STEREO FACE PLATE REQUIRING USING THE SYSTEM RESET BUTTON TO GET IT TO OPERATE NORMALLY AGAIN. THE CAR HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALER 3 TIMES FOR THESE ISSUES AND EXCEPT FOR THE BLOWN SUB-WOOFER REPORTS NO PROBLEM FOUND. THE SUB-WOOFER HAS BEEN ON ORDER FOR 2 MONTHS WITH NO EXPECTED DELIVERY DATE. *AK

MY TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED AT 18,000 MILES AND ONE MONTH SHY OF BEING A YEAR OLD. A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED. I HAD MY CAR BACK FOR ONE WEEK AND THE NEW TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWN SHIFT FOR NO REASON AS I WAS DOING 70 MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE. AFTER REPLACING THE COMPUTER, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, THROTTLE RANGE SENSOR, AND THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, MAZDA HAS NOW DECIDED TO REPLACE THE NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TRANSMISSION IN A YEAR OLD CAR. *JB