There are 4 owner-reported body & structure complaints for the 2002 Mazda Protegein NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
1. NORMAL USE OF THE VEHICLE. 2. THE LEFT FRONT SEAT INSIDE DOOR HANDLE (DRIVER'S SIDE) BROKE OFF 1/28/09. ONLY WAY OUT IS TO CRAW OVER CENTER CONSOLE AND EXIT PASSENGER SIDE. 3. THE LEFT REAR SEAT INSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF 8/22/09. CHILD HAD TO EXIT THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE CAR. 4. GOOGLE (NO QUOTES) "PROTEGE BROKE DOOR HANDLE" AND SEE OTHERS WITH THIS DEFECT. *TR
REAR HATCH/LIFT GATE PROPS FAIL WHEN LIFT GATE/HATCH IS OPENED RESULTING IN CONCUSSION AS LIFT GATE/HATCH HITS ONE IN HEAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO US AS EACH STAY PROP FAILS INDEPENDENTLY. LUCKILY NONE OF OUR CHILDREN WERE UNDER THE HATCH/LIFT GATE. MADZA PART NUMBERS ARE: B25R-62-620C AND B25R-63-620C. *TR
CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE DESIGN OF THE HARD PLASTIC PIECE WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD FRAME OF THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. IF THE PIECE IS IMPACTED IN A CRASH, IT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. CONSUMER INDICATES "THE PLASTIC PIECE COULD BREAK OFF BECOMING A HAZARDOUS WEAPON". TS
2002 MAZDA PROTEGE 5 HYDRAULIC ARM ON THE HATCH DOOR BROKE OFF. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HATCH DOOR INSTANTLY SLAMMED DOWN . SHE OR HER SON COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IF STANDING A LITTLE CLOSER TO THE VEHICLE. *NJ
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026