2002 Mazda Protege Mazda Protege 2002

We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

2002 Mazda Protege repairs by problem area

Engine (44%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (4%)

Brakes and Traction Control (8%)

Suspension and Steering (19%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (16%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (5%)

Other (4%)

Chart based on 248 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2002 Mazda Protege.

2002 Mazda Protege repair cost distribution

$2500+ (1%)

$1000 - $2499 (8%)

$500 - $999 (19%)

$100 - $499 (40%)

< $100 (32%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 214 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon

140-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Mazda Protege5 in California, United States
Jul 2014 - Feb 2015
Feb 2015

197000 mi

US $6000
timing belt broke inside of the engine - engine is damaged - repair was not successful 
Mazda Protege5 in Minnesota, United States
Nov 2007 - Nov 2015
Jan 2011

118800 mi

US $350
wheel bearing and pads 
May 2011

78000 mi
new front struts at 76000 
Aug 2011

80000 mi

US $250
muffler failed, sounded like a world war 2 patton tank 
Sep 2012

97000 mi

US $400
replaced rear struts 
Dec 2014

127000 mi

US $1000
gas tank leak, on top of tank. brake failure. brake hoses. 
Mazda Protege5 in Alabama, United States
Jan 2012 - Dec 2015
Sep 2012

94000 mi

US $2400
Water pump failed, resulting in a faulty head gasket. New engine or machined head gasket was required. Water pump, radiator, repaired head gasket and reservoir. 
Jul 2014

105000 mi

US $37
spark plugs stuttering 
Mazda Protege5 in Utah, United States
Mar 2011 - Jul 2014
Apr 2011

153000 mi

US $90
Replaced thermostat ($90 at Tunex, wouldn't normally go there but it was overheating). 
May 2011

154000 mi

US $115
Replaced cracked air intake housing/shroud (was causing stalling and check-engine light). 
Jul 2012

175000 mi

US $1700
blew a head gasket 
Aug 2012

176300 mi

US $200
A/C valve went bad 
Jun 2013

192000 mi

US $500
alternator died water pump died 
Apr 2014

202500 mi

US $40
replaced leaking sensor 
Jul 2014

205000 mi
engine ruined. overheated then very loud knock. not sure if it will survive. 
Mazda Protege5 in Ohio, United States
Mar 2010 - Jun 2011
Jan 2010

113000 mi

US $215
Thermostat and main serpentine belt 
Apr 2010

118000 mi

US $190
Endlinks replaced on front suspension Thermostat went bad, replaced. Also replaced main serpentine belt at the same time due to general wear. 
Mazda Protege5 in British Columbia, Canada
Sep 2015 - Mar 2016
Jan 2016

C $180
Alternator and water pump drive belt failure 
Feb 2016

147640 mi

C $350
Broken throttle body gasket causing 'Chk Engine' warning light to illuminate. 
Mazda Protege5 in Alabama, United States
Dec 2013 - Jan 2016
Dec 2013

135000 mi

US $350
Replaced struts, performed alignment 

Return to top

2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon

130-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Mazda Protege5 in Ontario, Canada
- Jan 2008
Nov 2007

75020 mi

C $1500
Replace third gear, fork, busing and rebuild transmission 
Jan 2008

77500 mi

C $1000
Replace front struts, front exhaust pipe, EGR valve, rear brake pads and rotors. 
Mazda Protege5 in Quebec, Canada
May 2011 - Jun 2011
Jun 2011

117986 mi

C $180
changed coils, wires, plugs. greased gas pedal as it was sticking. greassed gas pedal as it was sticking changed coils, wires, plugs 
Mazda Protege5 in Ontario, Canada
Oct 2006 - Dec 2008
Sep 2007

104160 mi

C $500
Clogged EGR valve. 
Mar 2008

114700 mi

C $200
Replaced steering arm links. 
May 2008

114700 mi
Alternator that was replaced in October 07 went faulty and was replaced under warranty along with battery. 
Oct 2008

118420 mi

C $800
Replaced driver's side front wheel bearing. 
Mazda Protege5 in Ontario, Canada
Sep 2011 - Sep 2013
Dec 2012

106640 mi

C $600
Tie-rod shot Subframe bolts rusted through, car disintegrating due to rust. Shop had to re-weld subframe and buy new bolts to attach tie-rod, etc. Car on last legs, it seems. 
May 2013

109820 mi

C $350
Rear strut, driver's side shot. Replaced. 
Sep 2013

111600 mi
The car has rusted to death and must be retired. Sad. Great car. Engine and transmission remain perfect. Front struts and body rusting through.... 
Mazda Protege5 in Texas, United States
Jan 2011 - Nov 2012
Sep 2011

116000 mi

US $35
Had to replace fan control switch for AC system. 
Mazda Protege5 in Pennsylvania, United States
May 2010 - Jun 2011
Apr 2010

US $450
Alternator seized after sitting for a few months. Burnt the drive belt. Replaced Alternator ($350) and belts ($15) plus labor. 
Mazda Protege5 in Michigan, United States
Dec 2010 - Mar 2012
Jun 2011

129000 mi

US $250
EGR valve had to be repaired. 2nd time in less than a year. Very unhappy with this design flaw. 
Sep 2011

135000 mi
Alternator 
Dec 2011

141000 mi
Headlight bulbs (often) 
Mazda Protege5 in Connecticut, United States
Nov 2010 - Nov 2010
Nov 2010 I had a problem with the timing belt and the engine was damaged, so I just sold it to a junkyard for a couple hundred bucks. 
Mazda Protege5 in Maine, United States
Feb 2008 - Aug 2012
Nov 2008

95000 mi

US $450
The fuel pump body had cracked on the gas tank. Excessive corrosion added to the work. The old bracket was rusted badly and could not be unbolted. The pump body, bracket, and gasket were all replaced. 
Aug 2010

123000 mi

US $125
Rear sway bar replaced. Also Left/Right front wheel bearings replaced (one possibly my fault - whacked a curb). Rear wheel-wells and under rear passenger seats had some rust cut out and replaced with bondo/sheetmetal. The wheel-wells (rear, left and right) and the floor under the rear seats had rusted out enough to fail inspection. Rusted material was cut away and sheet metal with "bondo" was used to fill in the gaps. Passed inspection!  
Jan 2011

128000 mi

US $325
The right rear calipers piston and pins were sticking. Pads in the rear had been replaced in Spring of 2010. The sticking caliper prematurely wore out outer pad. Rotor, caliper, and pads had to be replaced. 
Apr 2011

130600 mi

US $340
Driver-side front brake caliper froze (just like in the rear). New caliper, rotor, and pads on Driver-side front. Passenger-side front caliper cleaned and rotor and pads replaced.  Left and Right sway bar links replaced as well.  Driver-side front brake caliper froze (just like in the rear). New caliper, rotor, and pads on Driver-side front. Passenger-side front caliper cleaned and rotor and pads replaced. Left and Right sway bar links replaced as well.  
Mazda Protege5 in British Columbia, Canada
- Jul 2008
Jun 2007

61299 mi

C $350
Replace three torn motor-mounts. Front Left & Right motormounts. 
Jul 2007

63240 mi

C $800
Replace timing belt 
Jul 2008

77500 mi

C $500
Replace both rear calipers due to corroded cylinders resulting in the cylinders sticking and putting pressure on the rotor at all times. 
Mazda Protege5 in California, United States
Dec 2011 - Mar 2016
Jun 2012

259000 mi

US $238
O2 sensor replaced 
Mazda Protege5 in Indiana, United States
Mar 2003 - Mar 2010
Oct 2003

39350 mi
Instrument cluster malfunctioned - replaced under warranty. 
Mazda Protege5 in Pennsylvania, United States
Dec 2014 - Apr 2016
Jun 2015

87000 mi
synchro are wearing out 
Apr 2016

92000 mi
RUST....did not repair 
Mazda Protege5 in British Columbia, Canada
Mar 2015 - Sep 2016
Aug 2015

124580 mi

C $50
Replaced front swaybar endlinks. 
Oct 2015

124600 mi

C $12
Headlight bulb. 
Sep 2016

133300 mi

C $500
Clutch/flywheel replacement Replaced sway bar endlinks. Replaced passenger-side front wheel bearing. Replaced passenger-side lower ball joint boot. 
Mazda Protege5 in British Columbia, Canada
Aug 2015 - Jul 2016
Jul 2016

115940 mi
Overheated and scored cyclinders 
Mazda Protege5 in Alberta, Canada
May 2014 - Nov 2016
Aug 2016

137020 mi

C $500
Parking brake cable. Adjusted rear brakes that were ceasing. Replaced alternator belt. 
Mazda Protege5 in Ontario, Canada
May 2010 - Jul 2012
Aug 2010

155000 mi

C $250
EGR valve replacement 
Mar 2011

161200 mi
Replaced 2 coils, sparkplugs and wires. All is well. 
Apr 2012

169460 mi

C $700
Rear caliper replaced Control arm replaced 
Jul 2012

170500 mi
Rear and front links, suspension all around (struts), plus needed new tires and rusting all over. Wasnt worth doing in my opinion. 
Mazda Protege5 in Nova Scotia, Canada
Jan 2012 - Apr 2012
Mar 2012

93620 mi

C $179
P0171 - system too lean bank 1. Hose unplugged from throttle body - repaired. Pump would cut out when trying to fill gas tank. P0455 - Evap system gross leak. Evap control canister is full of water - ordered parts. Evap control canister and check valve replaced. 
Apr 2012

93620 mi

C $219
Installed new canister. 
Mazda Protege5 in California, United States
Jul 2011 - Mar 2015
Mar 2011

44629 mi

US $383
Valve cover gasket replaced, light leaking noticed. 
Apr 2011

44680 mi

US $123
Air conditioning recharged, dye added to find what I assume must be a pinhole leak somewhere. 
Sep 2011

51503 mi

US $50
A/C recharge kit 
Feb 2012

56873 mi

US $432
Replaced two of four motor mounts due to age of rubber parts (cracking, losing effectiveness). 
Jul 2012

61500 mi

US $50
Replaced front motor mount in attempt to quell vibrations. 
Oct 2012

64979 mi

US $168
Thermostat stuck and caused an overheat. Replaced thermostat and flushed coolant, no problems since. 
Feb 2013

70127 mi

US $1520
Replaced timing belt, water pump, camshaft seal, O2 sensor (pre-cat), transmission fork and pivot bearing. 
Jun 2013

75780 mi

US $191
Replaced downstream O2 sensor. 
Oct 2013

81300 mi

US $15
A/C recharge kit. 
Feb 2014

88000 mi

US $1939
A/C system failed. Parts replaced: A/C Compressor, receiver dryer, expansion block, evaporator. Also replaced driver's window motor and regulator (regulator broke) and both drive belts. 
Mar 2015

108000 mi

US $800
Clutch spring broke, required replacement of entire clutch kit. Previous clutch kit lasted only 45,000 miles on mostly light highway commuter driving. 
Mazda Protege5 in Ontario, Canada
Sep 2013 - Feb 2019
Jan 2014

89820 mi

C $100
Car wouldn't start after being parked and turned off for 15 minutes. Starter engaged, lights came on but engine wouldn't start. hit the gas, on gear, off gear - nothing. started after 30 mins doing nothing. no one knows what's wrong. Car occasionally wouldn't start - see earlier report for this car. Replaced battery. 
Oct 2014

90000 mi

C $300
Rear passenger side brake caliper needed replacement 
Jul 2015

96500 mi

C $2000
Clutch was wearing out. It kept seizing up and couldn't shift. Problem was the worst on lower gears. Replaced clutch. 2002 Mazda + rust need I say more! HAD to deal with it because windshield busted by icicle falling from power line needed replacement. Had to fix rust first around windshield, so fixed all rust dents + did full repaint 
Jan 2016

99200 mi

C $400
rust under the car with approx 2 inch hole near front passenger wheel. took it to a shop that sanded down some of the rust, welded metal plate under the car and did an all-over rust-proof spray 
Apr 2018

106020 mi

C $500
Replace 2 brake calipers 
Mazda Protege5 in Colorado, United States
May 2016 - Aug 2016
May 2016

156000 mi

US $40
Bad ignition pack(s) causing misfire. Easy fix with new packs 
Jun 2016

158000 mi

US $350
Sway bar links worn and noisy. R&R links. Leaking driver side axle seal. R&R seal. 
Aug 2016

158000 mi
Rear trailing arms worn 
Mazda Protege5 in Connecticut, United States
Dec 2011 - Jul 2014
Sep 2012

74000 mi

US $1000
water pump and timing belt 
Mazda Protege5 in California, United States
Feb 2010 - May 2012
Aug 2011

185900 mi

US $1200
Leaking coolant. replaced water pump and timing belt. 
Jan 2012

US $400
Car overheating and check engine light on. Replaced radiator. Replaced spark plugs and spark plug wires. 
Mar 2012

198000 mi
Driver side seat belt buckle button broke. Buckle could not be engaged. buckle relpaced. 
May 2012

200000 mi

US $100
check engine light on. found tears/holes in plastic air intake duct. part replaced 
Mazda Protege5 in Ontario, Canada
Dec 2007 - Mar 2010
Oct 2008

76880 mi

C $400
Replaced EGR. 
Mazda Protege5 in New York, United States
May 2009 - Jun 2012
Jun 2009

141000 mi
Internal thermostat blew, lost a gasket, and the engine overheated. Had to be towed. Check engine light came on while driving on highway. Went to the mechanic who diagnosed it as the catalytic converter. Replaced it with an after-market one and haven't had any trouble with it. Air bag light was flashing, on two separate occasions, giving a code 32. I never took it in to a shop and nothing was repaired, but it hasn't flashed in about two weeks now. Based on web/forum search it looks like this may have been the clockspring. 
Jul 2010

150700 mi

US $450
Replaced both rear calipers (both were frozen), and both rotors, and pads. 
Nov 2010

154300 mi

US $140
Check engine light (P0037) and was told it was upstream O2 sensor. Ordered part online ($86) and took it to my local shop to install ($45). But problem not solved--engine light back on, same code. 
Feb 2011

156800 mi

US $600
Very bumpy/noisy ride, especially when turning and on less than ideal roads. Mechanic said it was suspension. Replaced all four struts and mounts. Still noisy, but haven't had it checked out since. 
Mazda Protege5 in Idaho, United States
Apr 2009 - Jun 2011
Aug 2009

88000 mi

US $500
Replaced stock shocks and springs with Tokico HP kit. The front right shock had failed. I also wanted to upgrade so I replaced all four at the same time. 
Mazda Protege5 in Ontario, Canada
Mar 2007 - Apr 2011
Apr 2007

50840 mi

C $110
Seatbelt latch sensor was not functioning, and latch was not unlatching properly (took wiggling to get male end out). Probably caused by driver dropping something into the latch. 
Jul 2009

65720 mi

C $500
alternator seized. Also broke alternator belt. 
Oct 2009

66960 mi

C $600
Rear caliper seized, was fixed. Front endlinks were also replaced on the trip to the shop. 
Mazda Protege5 in Ontario, Canada
Oct 2009 - Dec 2010
Jun 2010

168640 mi
rust repair. door sills, hood and hatch seam and rear wheel wells. They repair and repaint every year as I have a lifetime warranty with my rustproof package purchase when car was new. sweet deal. I paid for first week of rental car. 
Sep 2010

176080 mi

C $30
Driver's seat belt receiver (clicker) broke internal mechanism. Replaced with one from wrecker. 
Mazda Protege5 in Quebec, Canada
Feb 2009 - Mar 2010
Sep 2009

94860 mi

C $400
EGR valve changed 
Jan 2010

97960 mi

C $500
Alternator changed 
Mar 2010

98580 mi
Front engine mount corroded and in need of replacement when sold. 
Mazda Protege5 in Florida, United States
Feb 2010 - Jun 2011
Mar 2010

106000 mi

US $550
Clutch replacement. Turns out clutch was fine (had lots of life left!). Bearing freezing up was the cause of the problem.  Mechanic discovered that the transmission mount broke and needed replacement. Clutch replacement. Turns out clutch was fine (had lots of life left!). Bearing freezing up was the cause of the problem. Mechanic discovered that the transmission mount broke and needed replacement. 

Return to top

2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon

130-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD

Mazda Protege5 in California, United States
Jun 2013 - Jun 2018
Jul 2014

114000 mi

US $1285
Valve cover gasket replaced due to leaking oil. Timing belt covers failed due to oil leaking around valve cover gasket; causing plastic to become brittle, crack and hitting the water pump pulley. 
Dec 2014

120000 mi

US $318
Replaced air mass meter boot. 
Jun 2018

141000 mi

US $54
Replaced cracked coolant tank. Replaced PCV valve and valve cover gasket due to evidence of oil leak around valve cover during SMOG testing. 
Mazda Protege5 in Texas, United States
Jan 2015 - Jan 2015
Jan 2015

135000 mi

US $3046
Engine Blew 
Mazda Protege5 in Massachusetts, United States
Mar 2007 - Mar 2014
Feb 2011

150000 mi

US $125
Coils and EGR valve replaced 
Jan 2013

162000 mi

US $300
intermittent over heating, after several attempts to recreate the problem, the water pump belt broke and after replacing it the over heating stopped. it looks like the belt was not always in contact with the pulley causing the problem 
Feb 2013

162800 mi

US $139
Power steering cooler failed rusted 
Jan 2014

161000 mi

US $300
Starter replaced 
Mazda Protege5 in Pennsylvania, United States
Aug 2014 - Jan 2015
Oct 2014

126700 mi
replace strut towers that were rusted 

Return to top

2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon

130-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Mazda Protege5 in Minnesota, United States
Mar 2009 - Apr 2009
Apr 2009

96000 mi
Needed new tie rod ends badly. 
Mazda Protege5 in Texas, United States
Mar 2009 - Mar 2016
Jan 2012

74000 mi

US $1050
Car was squealing when cold. 
Mazda Protege5 in Wisconsin, United States
Feb 2015 - Nov 2016
Feb 2015

216000 mi

US $150
Defective ECU. Caused rough running, stalling, loss of power. Replacing ECU fixed the problem. 
Aug 2016

239300 mi

US $750
Seized rear brake calipers 
Mazda Protege5 in Oregon, United States
Jan 2015 - Sep 2019
Nov 2015

138000 mi

US $300
Alternator was no longer charging the battery. Alternator replaced. 
Apr 2016

140500 mi

US $120
Radiator developed a hairline crack and was slowly leaking coolant. Replaced radiator, hoses, and thermostat. 
Dec 2016

148000 mi

US $140
Sway bar links had some slop and were causing knocking driving over bumps. 
Jan 2017

141000 mi

US $35
Throttle body hose cracked, which threw a CEL code. 
Apr 2017

151000 mi

US $60
Car had a misfire and threw a cel code. Based on the code, I replaced the coil packs and spark plugs. 
Mazda Protege5 in Alberta, Canada
Feb 2009 - Dec 2011
Oct 2009

58280 mi

C $1250
While on hoist, mech. reported ft struts leaking and rear sway bar loose...I reported this to Mazda yrs ago while vehicle still had warranty though they told me there was no problem. They fixed other little things that were a by-product of the struts Replace timing belt; replace coils/wires/plugs 
Sep 2011

63240 mi

C $750
Replaced front struts 
Mazda Protege5 in California, United States
Jun 2016 - Jun 2018
Dec 2016

161860 mi

US $285
flushed and replaced transmission fluid 
Jan 2018

171680 mi

US $15
Brakes (rear), Timing belt, water pump, belts, oil pan gasket, rotate tires. Jay's Auto in Torrance damaged engine bolts while replacing valve cover gasket Air filter 
Feb 2018

172195 mi

US $62
Spark plugs, wires, pcv valve, coil pack 
Apr 2018

174406 mi
Wheel stud repaired for free by America's Tire. They did not cause the damage but another independent repair shop, Jay's Auto center in Torrance. They claimed no responsibility but because they also caused other irrepairable damage, I believe they were the ones that caused this. 
Mazda Protege5 in Quebec, Canada
Dec 2013 - Nov 2014
Dec 2013

84940 mi

C $400
egr valve, exhaust 
Nov 2014

88660 mi
would not start even with a full battery after not being used for a few weeks. 
Mazda Protege5 in Massachusetts, United States
May 2012 - Mar 2016
Jun 2012

109000 mi

US $160
Cracked intake hose, ~$60+$90 (1hr) labor+tax 
Jul 2012

110000 mi

US $600
Car died in traffic. Replaced alternator. 
Aug 2012

110800 mi

US $50
Rough idle, plugs/wires/coils replaced (coils as PM as are known problem on this vehicle) 
Dec 2012

115000 mi

US $200
Temp gauge above nominal range, thermostat replaced 
Jul 2013

118000 mi

US $89
AC not cooling, recharge performed 
Sep 2013

118000 mi

US $279
Replace evaporator core and dryer, recharge A/C. 
Jan 2014

115500 mi

US $250
Cracked exhaust pipe caused leak/noise. Pipe and two gaskets replaced. 
Jul 2014

119200 mi

US $300
Seized (open) right rear brake caliper, replaced both calipers, both sets rotors and pads Blower motor switch failed (known problem where compressor shuts off on speeds 2/3), replaced corroded refrigerant line, evac/recharge AC system. 
Sep 2014

120000 mi

US $1350
2nd catalytic converter and A pipe cracked (no code, only audible exhaust leak) ($900) VTCS solenoid failed resulting in P1569 code. Contacts cleaned prior to replacement, which helped, but problems still intermittent. Both replaced ($350). 
Jul 2015

123000 mi

US $500
Leaking gasket; replaced. Still smell exhaust, so probably not successful. Valve cover gasket leaking; replaced AC not cold; recharged 
Sep 2015

123000 mi

US $100
AC not cold, held vacuum and partial charge, recharged. Lost charge again within a week. 
Mar 2016

123000 mi
AC was never fixed with previous repair. Blower motor developed rattle/noise after sitting for ~1mo prior to sale. 
Mazda Protege5 in Minnesota, United States
Aug 2014 - Oct 2021
Feb 2015

137000 mi
huge crack in air intake hose after the air flow sensor, causing lean mixture, low idle, bogging on acceleration. Temporarily used tape until part arrived. 
Mazda Protege5 in New York, United States
Nov 2009 - Jun 2010
May 2010

131000 mi

US $300
Received progressively more frequent ABS/Brake warning lights; problem was right rear ABS sensor. Replaced, no more problems so far. 
Mazda Protege5 in Texas, United States
Jun 2008 - Mar 2013
Jul 2008

80000 mi
Timing Belt replacement 
Oct 2009

114000 mi

US $600
Car temperature was a notch higher than usual at a stop light. Mechanic said was a pin-hole leak in the radiator and needed replacement for $300. I opted to also replace thermostat/gaskets and all hoses for additional $280. 
Feb 2010

116000 mi

US $500
Replaced front driver side wheel bearing. Replaced rear oxygen sensor. 
Aug 2010

130000 mi

US $575
Wheel bearing and wheel hub 
Jun 2012

150000 mi

US $650
Pre-catalytic converter had to be replaced 
Mazda Protege5 in California, United States
Nov 2009 - Dec 2013
Mar 2010

89000 mi

US $150
Engine was spiking when stopped, causing stalls. Air intake hose replaced which seems to have fixed it. 
Nov 2010

94000 mi

US $214
90,000 mile maintenance -- Oil change and a few small fixes. 
Feb 2012

107600 mi

US $240
Thermostat malfunctioned, engine overheated and burned through all the radiator fluid. No permanent damage but required towing. 
Jul 2012

115000 mi
Replaced timing belt 
Jul 2013

129500 mi

US $600
Timing belt Radiator had a slow leak, noticed on cross-country drive. Replaced radiator as a preventative measure. 
Dec 2013

132000 mi
problems shifting into higher gears, transmission fluid flushed and spark plugs / cables replaced. Transmission now dead. 
Mazda Protege5 in Ontario, Canada
Jul 2010 - Dec 2011
Mar 2011

71300 mi

C $800
1 Plug wire cracked, was shorting. Intake snorkle cracked, allowing for lean mix. Replaced O2 sensor, cleaned MAF sensor, oil and filter change. 
Nov 2011

77700 mi

C $40
Mechanic diagnosed "everything related to front suspension is rusted/ rotted/ worn out". Which confirmed my own suspicions.  Rear brake calipers also seized due to corrosion.  Car is rusty everywhere. 
Dec 2011

78120 mi
Car Sold - good riddance!  

Return to top

2002 Mazda Protege

Engine not specified

Mazda Protege5 in Ontario, Canada
Nov 2010 - Jun 2011
Dec 2010

145080 mi

C $390
Wheel ball bearing were repaired for a second time. 

Return to top

2002 Mazda Protege 4dr Sedan

140-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Mazda Protege in Georgia, United States
May 2007 - Jun 2016
Mar 2012

104000 mi

US $35
Rubber intake tube cracked. $35 part, 10 minute install. 
May 2016

167100 mi

US $60
Ignition coil pack 
Mazda Protege in New York, United States
Aug 2010 - Oct 2015
Dec 2011

85000 mi

US $180
air leak in the intake. leak was repaired. spark plugs were replaced. 
Jun 2013

96000 mi

US $300
Cooling 
Jun 2014

100000 mi

US $640
Front struts worn out. Replaced and front antis way bar 
Aug 2015

107300 mi

US $800
Alternator replaced 8/1/15 and battery replaced 10/1/15 

Return to top

2002 Mazda Protege 4dr Sedan

130-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Mazda Protege in Illinois, United States
Apr 2014 - Jun 2017
Sep 2014

110000 mi

US $30
Sway bar end links clunking down pipe rusted off 
Sep 2016

125000 mi

US $200
Alternator stopped charging, replaced alternator and belt. 
Mazda Protege in New Jersey, United States
Apr 2015 - Jan 2016
Oct 2015

35200 mi

US $300
Brake fluid leak from rear passenger caliper. Caliper replaced. 
Mazda Protege in New Brunswick, Canada
Nov 2007 - Oct 2009
Jul 2008

117800 mi

C $950
Struts (second time) and strut mounts. 
Nov 2008

122760 mi

C $110
Bushings in clutch where worn out and needed replaced. 
Jun 2009

127100 mi
Front passenger side strut is make a big noise, shop indicated it did not need replaced for about 6 or 7 months and okay to drive. 
Sep 2009

127100 mi
Needed new strut mount when sold. Had rust around wheel wells and bottoms of the doors. 
Mazda Protege in Massachusetts, United States
Apr 2015 - Jul 2015
Jul 2015

113000 mi
Evap condensor needed to be replaced. Estimated to be a $300 repair. 
Mazda Protege in Nova Scotia, Canada
Dec 2013 - Jun 2014
Apr 2014

190960 mi

C $30
Replace rf caliper 
Mazda Protege in Oman
Dec 2009 - Jun 2011
Jan 2010

27280 mi

$50
Driver side interior handle broke. 
Mazda Protege in Quebec, Canada
Apr 2010 - Jul 2010
May 2010

189100 mi

C $600
Ball bearings replaced 
Mazda Protege in Oregon, United States
Mar 2013 - Apr 2013
Apr 2013

105000 mi

US $800
broke ties at one wheel had to fix in order to drive the car 
Mazda Protege in Washington, United States
Nov 2008 - Mar 2012
Mar 2011

80000 mi

US $100
a short in the wiper wiring 

Return to top

2002 Mazda Protege 4dr Sedan

130-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD

Mazda Protege in Ontario, Canada
Dec 2010 - Apr 2011
Apr 2011

135160 mi
Wheel bearing needed to be replaced. Fan belt was squealing. Could have been caused by a failing component. 
Mazda Protege in Virginia, United States
Mar 2012 - Apr 2013
Sep 2012

227000 mi
Rear signal light needed to be replaced to pass inspectuon. 
Mazda Protege in Washington, United States
Feb 2008 - Jun 2008

Return to top

2002 Mazda Protege 4dr Sedan

130-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Mazda Protege in Kansas, United States
Nov 2009 - Dec 2011
Apr 2009

74890 mi

US $220
Front left strut broke and was replaced. 
Jan 2011

96000 mi

US $220
Driver's window motor inoperable, replaced. Oil change, tire rotation, air filter cleaned. 
Mazda Protege in Georgia, United States
May 2017 - Mar 2018
Mar 2017

77000 mi
A/C switch broke from normal use due to extreme GA heat, was repaired with a bit of glue and elbow grease 
Mazda Protege in Washington, United States
Feb 2010 - Dec 2014
Sep 2011

131 mi

US $50
Replaced passanger side door lock actuator Replaced passanger side door lock actuator 
Mar 2013

157000 mi
Radiator and overflow hose tank leaked. Replaced both of them. Replaced front mount. Fan switch. Driver and passenger front door seals. Plastic air intake tube cracked but I had a spare. 
May 2013

161000 mi

US $260
A/C would not work in fan position 2 and was intermediate on fan position 3. Climate control unit and blower motor resistor pack replaced. Problem Fixed. 
Sep 2013

169000 mi

US $80
Front and rear tie-rod ends replaced due to rubber boots torn 
Mar 2014

173000 mi

US $100
Replaced both headlight assemblies. I attempted a repair using the Sylvania headlight restoration kit approximately 2 years ago. Before replacement you could barely see at night. 
May 2014

175000 mi

US $30
Coolant overflow tank cracked and replaced and radiator cap and overflow hose replaced as both showed signs of leakage at the radiator. 
Mazda Protege in Ohio, United States
Dec 2020 - Jun 2022
Aug 2020

150542 mi

US $30
Failed ignition coil for cylinders 1 & 4, broken intake hose. Both replaced. New ignition wires 
Mazda Protege in Georgia, United States
Jun 2012 - Jun 2022
Jan 2018

107000 mi

US $400
Replace rear struts, both sides 
Jun 2022

124800 mi

US $200
Replace rear stabilizer bar end links 
Mazda Protege in California, United States
Jun 2007 - Jan 2022
Sep 2007

97000 mi

US $338
2 belts replaced May07@92.5Kmiles.30Aug07,1 broke taking other with it.Rad is Alum/Plastic tanks.Press test showed overheat caused tank seal leak.Repl'd OE Rad w/KOYO.New belts,coolant.Thermostat, engine, trans oil changed as precaution. 
Jun 2008

112000 mi

US $60
CEL on & OD light blinking. Hard part-throttle 1-2 shift, no OD, 3rd gear slip. Scanner showed DTC P0715=Turbine speed Hall sensor failed. Sensor module easy to find & remove. Sensor resistance read out-of-spec. New sensor test/mesured at dealer parts counter. ATF changed as precaution. 
Mar 2009

125000 mi

US $846
Replaced timing belt and tensioner (found spring end eating through idler), idler, water pump. Valve clearances still in-spec. Taking a chance with 20K miles overdue on an Interference engine! 
Jan 2018

212000 mi

US $5
PS pump return tube O-ring fluid seepage at pump, drip spots on driveway. Replaced O-ring on tube, removed, anti-sieze on banjo bolt threads and re-torqued. Flushed system, pressure-washed engine front, pass side fender shield, undertray & driveway. Good for another 200K miles! 
Mazda Protege in Virginia, United States
Mar 2013 - Jun 2016
Jul 2013

125000 mi
Alternator belt broke which caused battery not to charge and water pump overheat. The belt was not properly installed by the auto repair shop and it was not the car itself. 
Dec 2015

162000 mi

US $1500
Replaced engine. Original engine was making loud noise due to bent valve or bearings. 
Mazda Protege in New York, United States
Mar 2013 - Jul 2018
Nov 2013

95100 mi

US $530
Replaced struts, aligned suspension, changed oil and coolant, fitted new winter tires. 
Mazda Protege in Alberta, Canada
Dec 2013 - Jun 2017
Mar 2016

127100 mi

C $700
Replace rear shocks and rear links 
Mazda Protege in Michigan, United States
Dec 2010 - Sep 2011
Feb 2011

65000 mi

US $450
Alternator diode failure. Alternator replaced. 
May 2011

70000 mi

US $740
Fuel tank leak due to rust - Fuel tank replaced 

Return to top

2002 Mazda Protege 4-door

4-cylinder automatic 2WD

Mazda Protege5 in Pennsylvania, United States
Nov 2013 - Jun 2014
Dec 2013

81000 mi

US $1100
The two front struts were replaced due to leakage in both. 
Mazda Protege5 in Texas, United States
Nov 2006 - Mar 2010
Sep 2007

64000 mi

US $400
Alternator died 

Return to top

See TrueDelta's information for all Mazda models.

2002 Mazda Protege Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2002 Mazda Protege problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.