Faults:

This car has not required any work beyond routine servicing and some accident repairs.

General Comments:

This is a six cylinder sized car run on a 4 cylinder engine. It is very roomy and comfortable, but not very responsive for passing or mountain ascents.

The heating system in the car is absolutely worthless at temperatures below -20 C. We have been unable to drive distances more than 50 km in winter because our feet get too cold. The dealer says that nothing can be done about this!

Faults:

I bought the Protege on Jan. 20, 2003. Two days later the check engine light came on. I took the car to the Mazda dealership and they "fixed" the problem. They said the air flow handler was bad. The same day I picked it up from getting fixed the check engine light came back on. I took the car back the next day and they supposedly "fixed" it again. They said it was another problem that was actually on recall. Ok, the next day the light came back on. It has been in the shop six times for the same problem. Each time the light comes on the problem is always the same and it gets "fixed". The last time it came on the dealership kept the car for one week and ordered a new computer for it. The problem has not re-occurred.

General Comments:

The car handles well on tight curves and accommodates me and my family well. The trunk is enormous.

Faults:

Hydralic failures in brakes

ABS fails EVERYTIME

Air leaks

Windsheild wiper sprayer sprays heavy on one side.

Air conditioner takes forever to cool or heat.

Air conditioner drips into cd player.

My wheels REFUSE to keep an alignment and or balance.

General Comments:

Let me first say, with all these problems, I still love my car. Its been a GREAT car. But.. I am now scared to drive it.

I still own this car, have no yet died, but have almost multiple times becuase of this problem. I lost my job, and had problems paying for my car for awhile, but now that I am caught back up, I will again start to try and get this fixed again.

My car from day 1 has had massive problems. The biggest of these problems was the ABS not EVER WORKING EVER..

I have been told that it works just fine. I have ridden in the car with the LEAD technical engineer from two different Mazda dealerships/garages and was told by both that after we came skidding and sliding to a stop... that it was fine.

Now, I don't look like am total moron, but these guys must think I am. When you hit the brakes hard and your brakes lock and you slide to a stop... that USUALLY means your ANTI-LOCK brakes are not working.

I have almost gotten into many accidents becuase my car loses hydralic pressure. I push my petal down, and the car SLOWLY starts to stop... I have gone into oncoming traffic multiple times waiting for my car to stop... I have gone over parking lot sidewalks with it not stopping. I have actually hit another car... luckily mine was only going 5mph at that time...

Heres the worst part. I am now what will be my 4th attempt to get this fixed. All attemps have been documented with Mazda. Each time they disregard everything and just try to replace my break shoes. They actually have the audacity to tell me that each one of my problems is how my car is SUPPOSED to operate.

Its odd. My girlfreind has a 2001 Protege and funny thing, hers does NOT OPERATE like its supposed to than! Hers actually stops and her brakes don't lock. Her windshield wiper sprayer works! Her car doesn't leak air in! When she takes a sharp corner, her air conditioner doesn't turn off.

All and all, I love my car. No matter what happens, it has got me from point A to point B... but now, with my brakes failing half the time, my ABS not working, my tires getting eaten through becuase alighment will not hold (I am on my THIRD pair of 35,000+ mile tires, quite simply, I am scared to drive it.