2003 Mazda Protege: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker Protege years.
121 owner complaints, most about engine and engine cooling. 4 recalls.
Should I buy a 2003 Protege?The 2003 Mazda Protege has 121 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and engine cooling and seat belts.
Safety record for the 2003 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2003 Mazda Protege vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Protege years only. How we score it
Is 2003 a good year for the Protege?
Across the 8 Protege model years we track, complaint volume runs from 47 (1998) to 121 (2003). With 121 complaints, the 2003 Protege sits above the model's median of 91.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2003 Protege
exterior lighting
Campaign 09E012000SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
exterior lighting:headlights
Campaign 09E025000DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
exterior lighting
Campaign 06E038000CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
exterior lighting
Campaign 06E064000CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
What owners say across generations
Overwhelmingly positive sentiment regarding long-term reliability, durability, and driving enjoyment.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Protege. See the full Protege owner picture and every model year.
Other Protege model years
Compare every Protege year side by side to see how 2003 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Protege against its rivals
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