2003 Mazda Protege LX Sedan
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All photo credits
- Photo: Mazda FAMILIA S-WAGON SPORT20 4WD (BJ) front by Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Mazda Familia LX 2002 (11954421525) by order_242 from Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Mazda Familia S-Wagon in Kumano 20100212 by 玄史生, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Mazda Familia Sedan 1998 by Kuha455405, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Mazda FAMILIA S-WAGON SPORT20 4WD (BJ) rear by Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2003 Mazda Protege LX Sedan is a 130-hp 2.0-liter inline-4 sedan with a 5-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $15,935 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 Type | Sedan |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $15,935 ($28,146 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 2.0L DOHC 16-valve I4 |
| Displacement | 2 L |
| Horsepower | 130 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 135 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Injection Type | Electronic fuel injection |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | FWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 22 MPG |
| Highway | 28 MPG |
| Combined | 24 MPG |
| Tank Capacity | 14 gal |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 175.3 in |
| Width | 67.1 in |
| Height | 55.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 102.8 in |
| Curb Weight | 2,634 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 39.3 in |
| Headroom Rear | 37.4 in |
| Legroom Front | 42.2 in |
| Legroom Rear | 35.4 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2003 Mazda Protege LX Sedan with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | Not rated |
| Frontal crash | Not rated |
| Frontal – driver | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal – passenger | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | Not rated |
| Rollover | Not rated |
Other tested variants (1)
- 2003 Mazda Protege 5-DR. Hatchback: overall not rated
Recalls
4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2003 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
121 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2003 Mazda PROTEGE
Owner Complaints
121 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Mazda PROTEGE (16 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 10 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 34 |
| Seat Belts | 17 |
| Power Train | 12 |
| Suspension | 11 |
| Air Bags | 10 |
| Tires | 10 |
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 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.