The Lemon Index
200120031st generation
Better than average · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
Better years to buy
45 owner complaints, first 3 years 24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2002 Kia Rio 1872002 Saturn SL 632002 Ford Taurus 62
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 34,000 miles (8,000–55,000 km) (the middle half of the 23 complaints, of all 45 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09E025000 (lights), 09E012000 (lights) and 06E064000 (lights) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Mazda sent dealers 100 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 45 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 5K to 34K miles (8K to 55K km) on the car (23 of all 45 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
Problems with tire equipment on the 2002 Mazda Protege 5.
2002 Mazda Protege owner · NHTSA complaint 10079850
More owner reports
Snow would build up inside the wheels. This would cause the brake rotor to freeze, resulting in extended stopping distance. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
NHTSA complaint 10109261
Rear disc brakes with ebfd premature wear of one pad on one side of disc brake to 0% while opposite side at 30% and opposite brake at 50%
NHTSA complaint 10041221
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 2002 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 100 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 4
- 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 4 recalls
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED 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 $2,500 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
Every Mazda Protege year. 2002 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.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2002 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mazda-protege/?y=2002" 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/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 Mazda Protege reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 Mazda Protege reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 53; 100 is average, lower is better). The Mazda Protege year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2001.
What are the most common 2002 Mazda Protege problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (27%), brakes (18%) and airbags (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Mazda Protege have?
4 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 2002 Mazda Protege get?
24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Mazda Protege problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 34,000 miles (8,000–55,000 km) (the middle half of the 23 complaints, of all 45 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2002 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2002 Mazda Protege have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 27% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Mazda Protege cost in fuel a year?
About $2,500 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Mazda Protege have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Mazda Protege year is better than the 2002?
Nearby, the 2001 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car).
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