The Lemon Index
200020021st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: airbags
Fewest complaints of its generation (1st generation).
32 owner complaints, first 3 years 24–28 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2001 Kia Rio 2322001 Saturn SL 482001 Ford Taurus 84
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 10 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09E025000 (lights), 09E012000 (lights) and 06E064000 (lights) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Mazda sent dealers 98 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Subject regarding wind noise from windshield molding”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mazda's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 32 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 20K to 43K miles (32K to 69K km) on the car (10 of all 32 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Consumer states having problems with the air bag. Ts
2001 Mazda Protege owner · NHTSA complaint 8021251
More owner reports
3rd car in 3 car collision. Fully restrained in 3 point belt and shoulder harness. Upon frontal impact, airbag failed to deploy causing injury to driver and 7 1/2 month old fetus. Nlm
NHTSA complaint 760818
The vehicle's air bag sensor light stays on. The dealer states they are unable to duplicate the problem. The consumer is concerned that the air bag will not deploy upon impact.
NHTSA complaint 10065514
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 5.6M views · 1999–2003 Mazda Protege
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical597K views
1999-2003 Mazda Protege Alternator and Belt Install How-ToBack Forty Off Road · 414K views · 5 videos - Cooling system419K views
Timing belt replacement 1998 - 2003 Mazda Protege DOHC 1.6L water pump Install Remove ReplaceFixing cars and stuff · 369K views · 5 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors168K views
2001 Mazda Protege EGR removal, clean and change (P0401 error code)David The Fixer of Things (Just ask Dave) · 107K views · 7 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring113K views
P0421 Check Engine Light Fix "2001 Mazda protege 2.0 ES" (make not important!)Derrick P · 113K views
Show 2 more
- Steering & suspension109K views
How-To Replace Front Struts on Most Cars : 2001 Mazda Protege ExampleJohnnysshop · 66K views · 3 videos - Oil changes & service76K views
2000 Mazda Protege ES Oil and Oil Filter Change - 1.8L or 1.6LKhan XO · 37K views · 4 videos
Before you buy, watch
2002 MAZDA PROTEGE 5 start up, walk around and reviewAutomotiveReview · 109K views
SOLD 2002 Mazda Protege5 72K Miles Mint 5 Speed Meticulous Motors Inc Fl For SaleMeticulousMotors · 31K views
SOLD 2003 Mazda Protege ES 2.0 5-Speed Manual Meticulous Motors Inc Florida For SaleMeticulousMotors · 30K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2001 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Mazda told dealers about
Mazda sent dealers 98 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Subject regarding wind noise from windshield molding
- Engine rattle noise at 1000 - 3000 rpm cold engine
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Lights · recall issued 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Lights · recall issued 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Show all 5 recalls
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Brakes · recall issued 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,150–$2,500 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
Every Mazda Protege year. 2001 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 1 older years (1999–1999, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 5 Mazda Protege years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mazda-protege/?y=2001" title="Mazda Protege reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mazda-protege/2001/">Lemon Index</a> (2001 Mazda Protege reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2001 Mazda Protege reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew a bit under half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 38; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2001 Mazda Protege problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (25%), transmission & drivetrain (16%) and tires (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 Mazda Protege have?
5 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Mazda Protege get?
24 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2001 Mazda Protege have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2001 Mazda Protege cost in fuel a year?
About $2,150 to $2,500 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 Mazda Protege have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
Is there a better Mazda Protege year than the 2001?
Not nearby: the 2001 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Mazda Protege years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works