Faults:

Day of purchase: cd player defective and replaced week later by dealer.

20,000 miles: a/c unit floods interior of car, passenger footwell; entire a/c unit replaced.

55,000 miles: alternator dies and is replaced.

58,000 miles: right and left wheel bearings cracked and replaced.

Every 2,000-5,000 miles: headlights go out.

10,000 miles: battery dies, is replaced.

Steering wheel "timing wire (?) " makes constant noise while driving.

Multiple windshield chips.

Multiple areas where paint has chipped off to reveal fiberglass below.

General Comments:

Unfortunately, the Mazda Protege 5, at least the one I purchased from a local Mazda dealer, is a frustratingly expensive vehicle, many problems and repairs.

Faults:

Road noise is our only compliant.

General Comments:

Bought our 2003 Protege 5 new and are now selling it, after 4 years. Other than road noise, which honestly we got use to and didn't notice after a while, we have totally enjoyed the car.

This was our first car from the Mazda family, and I now would call us Mazda loyal. People really amaze me by generalizing a make of car, based on their unlucky experience or their own downfall in improper maintenance. We serviced our car with all genuine Mazda parts, on time and on schedule and the car drives and runs as good as when we got it.

The car is a 2L, what do you all except? A BMW? It handles great, and unfortunately having soft performance tires that allow you to stick to the road will wear faster than your mini-van tires. Just silly to me, read reviews on any make and model and there will be bad experiences, but don't let the few shadow the many great reviews.

The fact that the car's two year model style sold as well as it did, and that the 3 is now selling like crazy should speak volumes. Most Mazda owners are happy. Enough said.

Faults:

Started malfunctioned at 30,000 km

Radio button fell off going over railway tracks

Rust on doors, quarter panels and rocker panels.

General Comments:

So far I really like this car except for the constant rust problem. Rust will develop in the middle of a panel, there is no chip. I have had all four doors repainted, both rear quarter panels repainted and now I have rust on two doors and both rocker panels. Mazda is covering this under the warranty with out too much issue.

However, no explanation as to why it is happening. I have checked used car lots and found this problem on most 2002 and 2003 protege 5's. I suggest all owners check their Mazda for this problem.

I keep my car in a garage and don't drive it in winter, so road salt is not the cause.