The 2001 Mazda Protege has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 13,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 68 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC01V0240002001-02-0113,000 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME LEFT SIDE REAR BRAKE HOSES WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY. BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR.
Consequence
BRAKE PERFORMANCE WOULD BE DEGRADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE HOSE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE HOSE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
6
5crashes7injuries
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
4
4crashes3injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
3
1crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
ENGINE
2
1crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
2
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
2
Total complaints68
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Every time I go to fasten my seat belt into the buckle, it's always unbuckling it self. This happens in stationary and in motion. My radios screen cant be seen or read. The visor on the car broke off and nothing was pulling it.”
“Every time I go to fasten my seat belt into the buckle, it's always unbuckling it self. This happens in stationary and in motion. My radios screen cant be seen or read. The visor on the car broke off and nothing was pulling it.”
“Takata recall I bought by 2001 mazda protege a couple years ago and was never sent anything about any recalls. After pulling a car fax report there is 5 recalls all having to do with headlights. I've received a ticket for no headlights on when they were on and was recenctly in a car accident due…”
“Takata recall I bought by 2001 mazda protege a couple years ago and was never sent anything about any recalls. After pulling a car fax report there is 5 recalls all having to do with headlights. I've received a ticket for no headlights on when they were on and was recenctly in a car accident due…”
“Takata recall I bought by 2001 mazda protege a couple years ago and was never sent anything about any recalls. After pulling a car fax report there is 5 recalls all having to do with headlights. I've received a ticket for no headlights on when they were on and was recenctly in a car accident due…”
“Got into an accident at intersection , airbags did not work , as a result I have serious chest pains . Vehicle was in motion going straight while a vehicle at intersection was turning left across my road.”
“The fuel tank has rusted and there is a noticeable gas smell. *tr”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mazda protege. The contact attempted to start the vehicle but the engine failed to start accompanied by an abnormal knocking from the engine. The contact also mentioned that the failure occurred more often when the engine was cold. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2001 Mazda Protege as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.