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2002 Mazda Protege DX Sedan

The 2002 Mazda Protege DX Sedan is a 130-hp 2.0-liter inline-4 sedan with a 5-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $13,595 MSRP and is rated at 24 mpg combined.

It makes 130 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 135 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway (24 mpg combined).

The Protege measures 175.3 inches long on a 102.8-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,634 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$13,595 ($24,560 *)
Engine
Engine Type2.0L DOHC 16-valve I4
Displacement2 L
Horsepower130 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque135 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Injection TypeElectronic fuel injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission5-speed manual
Fuel Economy
City22 MPG
Highway28 MPG
Combined24 MPG
Tank Capacity14 gal
Dimensions & Weight
Length175.3 in
Width67.1 in
Height55.5 in
Wheelbase102.8 in
Curb Weight2,634 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: 2002 Mazda Protege 4-DR.

Recalls

4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2002 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

100 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2002 Mazda PROTEGE

Owner Complaints

100 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Mazda PROTEGE (12 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 11 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Seat Belts20
Power Train17
Service Brakes11
Tires10
Air Bags9
Electrical System9
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
May 12, 2019 · Tires, Wheels
“BULGES ON SIDEWALLS OF BOTH PASSENGER TIRES. TIRES ARE 6 MONTHS OLD AND ONLY HAVE APPROXIMATELY 3,000 MILES.”
Sep 10, 2017 · Unknown Or Other
“THE SECURITY ALARM FEATURE BECOMES ACTIVATED AND WILL NOT DEACTIVATE WITH EITHER THE KEY FOB, THE IGNITION KEY, DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY, OR PULLING THE INTERNAL IGNITION/ALARM FUSE. THIS PREVENTS…”
May 4, 2016 · Seat Belts, Structure, Service Brakes
“I'VE OWNED MY 2002 MAZDA PROTEGE5 FOR 7 YEARS NOW. IT'S ALWAYS HAD A VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING. EVEN AFTER HAVING OUT BRAND NEW BRAKES, ROTORS AND CALIPERS. I'M VERY ANAL ON HOW MY CAR LOOKS AND DRIVES…”
Nov 2, 2015 · Suspension, Exterior Lighting, Structure 1 injury
“UNDERNEATH THE CAR IS NOTHING BUT RUST. IT IS AFFECTING THE UNDERCARRIAGE, THE BALL JOINTS, THE CONTROL ARM, AND THE CAR'S FRAME ITSELF. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH BALL JOINTS BOTH CONTROL ARM SHOCK AND THE…”
Sep 24, 2015 · Fuel System, Gasoline, Structure, Vehicle Speed Control, Service Brakes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA PROTEGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED UP A HILL AND…”

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 2002 MAZDA PROTEGE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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