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2001 Mazda Protege MP3 Sedan

The 2001 Mazda Protege MP3 Sedan is a 140-hp 2.0-liter inline-4 sedan with a 5-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $18,500 MSRP and is rated at 28 mpg combined.

It makes 140 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 142 lb-ft of torque at 4500 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 25 mpg city and 31 mpg highway (28 mpg combined).

The Protege measures 175.3 inches long on a 102.8-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,493 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$18,500 ($33,950 *)
Engine
Engine Type2.0L DOHC 16-valve I4 (tuned)
Displacement2 L
Horsepower140 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque142 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Injection TypeElectronic fuel injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission5-speed manual
Fuel Economy
City25 MPG
Highway31 MPG
Combined28 MPG
Tank Capacity13 gal
Dimensions & Weight
Length175.3 in
Width67.1 in
Height55.5 in
Wheelbase102.8 in
Curb Weight2,493 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front39.3 in
Headroom Rear37.4 in
Legroom Front42.2 in
Legroom Rear35.4 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 2001 Mazda Protege 4-DR.

Recalls

5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2001 Mazda PROTEGE. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

May 11, 2009 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

NHTSA campaign 09E025000

Apr 7, 2009 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

NHTSA campaign 09E012000

Jul 17, 2006 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

NHTSA campaign 06E064000

May 8, 2006 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: ALFAOTTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALFAOTTO AT 626-656-2992 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALFAOTTO.COM.

NHTSA campaign 06E038000

Feb 1, 2001 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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.

NHTSA campaign 01V024000

51 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2001 Mazda PROTEGE

Owner Complaints

51 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Mazda PROTEGE (12 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 9 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Air Bags11
Engine And Engine Cooling8
Power Train7
Hydraulic5
Service Brakes5
Tires4
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Oct 16, 2020 · Seat Belts, Unknown Or Other
“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…”
Feb 12, 2017 · Structure, Wheels, Engine Crash
“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…”
Nov 7, 2015 · Air Bags Crash 1 injury
“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…”
Nov 6, 2013 · Fuel System, Gasoline
“THE FUEL TANK HAS RUSTED AND THERE IS A NOTICEABLE GAS SMELL. *TR”
Oct 25, 2013 · Engine
“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…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2001 MAZDA PROTEGE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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