Mazda Protege reliability - better info
 

Because existing sources of auto reliability information left much to be desired, in late 2005 I started conducting my own reliability research at TrueDelta.com. TrueDelta reports absolute stats like "trips to the shop" that make the differences between cars much clearer. Results are updated four times a year, so any significant changes in a model's reliability become apparent quickly.

I have a 2003 P5 myself, so I'm especially interested in providing better information about these cars. So far the survey includes the 2002 and 2003, but other model years are getting close to the minimum sample size.

Participants simply report repairs the month after they occur on a one-page survey. When there are no repairs, they simply report an approximate odometer reading four times a year, at the end of each quarter.

To encourage participation, panel members receive full access to the results for free.

For the details, and to sign up to help out:

Vehicle reliability research

Updated results recently posted for the 2002 and 2003. They continue to require few repairs. Need more participants to include older model years.

The full set of results:

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

Updated results were posted recently. The 2002 and 2003 Protege5 continue to be "better than average," though the 2002 repair rate has increased a bit.

A big thanks to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May, August, and November, so additional participants would certainly be helpful. Especially for the 2002, where the sample size fell a few short of the minimum, so the stat for it is asterisked and not publicly visible.

We now have a separate results page for each model. The one of the Protege5:

Mazda Protege5 reliability comparisons

That's a lot of links to the same site.


Are you a spambot?

I'm not a bot. I conduct this survey, and update results every three months. When we have an update, I share that information with the community here.

The only way I can provide this information is if owners provide the data. They tend to only provide it if they know the survey exists. I'm very thankful that many have been helping out.

Just tried to unclutter the thread. Looks like "deleted by" entries are left behind...

cool. Thanks for the reply, and I'll try to help out with the clutter. :cheers:

We have updated results for the Protege to include owner experiences through March 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2003: 44, better than average

2002-2002.5: 53, better than average

A big thanks to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years. This time around we were one response short of the minimum for the 2002.

Mazda Protege reliability comparisons

257 Protege owners now signed up. A good start, but more are needed to provide precise results for all model years.

Car reliability research

Updated results next month. Additional participants remain needed to cover all model years.

We have updated results for the Protege to include owner experiences through September 30, 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2003: 57, better than average

2002-2002.5: 79, better than average

2001: 179, worse than average

Very small sample size for the 2001, which might explain the much higher reported repair rate. Or these cars take a turn for the worse after 100k miles.

We've also introduced two new statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds," to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop.

For the 2003, the percentage with no repairs is about 57, and the percentage of lemons is about 3.

Nada-odds and Lemon-odds car reliability stats

A big thanks, once again, to this forum and everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in February and May.

Mazda Protege reliability comparisons

284 Protege owners now signed up. A good start, but more remain needed to provide full results for all model years.

Not yet signed up? Details here:

Car reliability research

We have updated results for the Protege to include owner experiences through December 31, 2009. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2003: 55, better than average

2002-2002.5: 75, better than average

2001: 146, worse than average

Very small sample size for the 2001, which might explain the much higher reported repair rate. Or these cars take a turn for the worse after 100k miles.

We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds," to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop.

For the 2003, the percentage with no repairs is about 52, and the percentage of lemons is about 7.

Nada-odds and Lemon-odds car reliability stats

A big thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May and August.

Mazda Protege reliability comparisons

And now 303. The 1999-2001 are right at the minimum--additional participants would be especially helpful for these years.

Car reliability research

Had a couple repairs to my own P5 in April: another front wheel bearing, and the intake hose cracked causing the engine to run lean.

To provide an additional benefit, I recently enhanced the related repair history survey so that it can (optionally) be used as a personal car maintenance record for cars 2000 MY and newer.

As always, more participants would be helpful. Updated Car Reliability Survey results in May.

Car reliability research

We have updated results for the Protege to include owner experiences through March 31, 2010. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2003: 75

2002-2002.5: 90

2001: 124

All are now about average. The repair frequency has been increasing recently for the 2002 and 2003.

Very small sample size for the 2001, which might explain the much higher reported repair rate. Or these cars take a turn for the worse after 100k miles.

We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds," to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop.

For the 2003, the percentage with no repairs is about 46, and the percentage of lemons is about 3.

Nada-odds and Lemon-odds car reliability stats

A big thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in August and November.

Mazda Protege reliability comparisons

My personal P5 required a new alternator last month. Looking forward to seeing how others are holding up with next month's update of our reliability stats.

To help provide the best possible information on your year:

Car reliability research

They tend to only provide it if they know the survey exists. I'm very thankful that many have been helping out.

We have updated results for the Protege to include owner experiences through June 30, 2010.

Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the more recent months until the summer or even fall of next year.

In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2003: 90 -- about average

2002-2002.5: 80 -- about average

2001: 93 -- about average

1999: 92 -- better than average

Very small sample size for the 1999 and 2001, so these results are much less precise.

We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds," to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop.

For the 2003, the percentage with no repairs is about 52, and the percentage of lemons is about 9.

Nada-odds and Lemon-odds car reliability stats

Thank you, once again, to this forum and everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in November and February.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help:

Mazda Protege reliability comparisons

Looking forward to when we'll be able to fully cover all model years. 327 owners signed up so far, a very good start, but more remain needed.

To help provide better information on your year:

Car reliability research

Starting this month we have a new question to measure, as objectively as possible, the severity of a problem. Many people have been asking for reliability stats that weight problems by how severe they are, and once we have enough responses with the revised survey we'll start providing this.

Also, updated reliability stats this month.

As always, the more owners participate, the better the information we can provide to everyone.

Car reliability research

We have updated results for the Protege to include owner experiences through September 30, 2010. Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the months since April until the summer or even fall of next year.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2003: 84 -- about average

2002-2002.5: 69 -- better than average

2001: 61 -- better than average

2000: 66 -- better than average

1999: 109 -- about average

Small sample sizes for the 1999, 2000, and 2001, so these results are much less precise.

We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds," to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop.

For the 2003, the percentage with no repairs is about 57, and the percentage of lemons is about 9.

Mazda Protege Lemon-odds and Nada-odds

Thank you, once again, to this forum and everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in February and May.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help:

Mazda Protege reliability ratings and comparisons

We have updated results for the Protege to include owner experiences through December 31, 2010. Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the months since April until the summer or even fall of this year.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2003-2003.5: 89 -- about average

2002-2002.5: 71 -- better than average

2001: 55 -- better than average

2000: 81 -- better than average

1999: 95 -- better than average

Small sample sizes for the 1999-2001, so these results are much less precise.

We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds," to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop.

For the 2003, the percentage with no repairs is about 50, and the percentage of lemons is about 5.

Mazda Protege Lemon-odds and Nada-odds

Thank you, once again, everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May and August. The more owners participate, the better the information we can provide.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help:

Mazda Protege reliability ratings and comparisons

Updated results recently posted for the 2002 and 2003. They continue to require few repairs. Need more participants to include older model years.
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We have updated results for the Protege to include owner experiences through March 31, 2011.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2003-2003.5: 82 -- about average

2002-2002.5: 76 -- better than average

2001: 53 -- better than average

2000: 90 -- better than average

1999: 97 -- better than average

Small sample sizes for the 1999-2001, so these results are much less precise.

We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds," to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop.

For the 2003, the percentage with no repairs is about 53, and the percentage of lemons is about 8.

Mazda Protege Lemon-odds and Nada-odds

We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participant we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Mazda Protege reliability ratings and comparisons

We have updated results for the Protege to include owner experiences through June 30, 2011.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2003-2003.5: 96 -- about average

2002-2002.5: 89 -- about average

2001: 70 -- better than average

2000: 120 -- about average

1999: 107 -- about average

Small sample sizes for the 1999-2001, so these results are much less precise.

We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds," to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop.

For the Protege these are:

2003: 56, 11

2002: 58, 4

Mazda Protege Lemon-odds and Nada-odds

We'll have further updates in November and February. With more participant we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Mazda Protege reliability ratings and comparisons

A good start, but more are needed to provide precise results for all model years.

We have updated our reliability stats for the Protege (on our redesigned site) to include owner experiences through September 30, 2011.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2003-2003.5: 96 -- about average

2002-2002.5: 90 -- better than average

2001: 67 -- better than average

2000: 92 -- better than average

Small sample sizes for the 2000 and 2001, so these our reliability stats are much less precise.

We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds," to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop.

For the Protege these are:

2003: 67, 13

Too few responses for other years.

Mazda Protege Lemon-odds and Nada-odds

Thank you, once again, everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in February and May. With more participant we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Mazda Protege reliability ratings and comparisons

We have updated our reliability stats for the Protege to include owner experiences through September 30, 2012.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2003-2003.5: 67, better than average

2002-2002.5: 93, about average

2001: 180, worse than average but very small sample size, so likely not accurate

2000: 85, better than average but very small sample size

We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds," to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the

past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop.

For the Protege these are:

2003: 55, 7

Too few responses for other years.

We'll have further updates in February and May. We'd love to provide more precise stats and cover more model years--just a matter of getting more owners involved!

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help:

Mazda Protege reliability ratings and comparisons

We have updated our reliability stats for the Protege to include owner experiences through December 31, 2012.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2003-2003.5: 55, low

2002-2002.5: 65, low

2001: 140, high but very small sample size, so likely not accurate

2000: 86, low but very small sample size

We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds," to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop.

For the Protege these are:

2003: 57, < 1

Too few responses for other years.

Thank you, once again, everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May and August. With more participants we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Mazda Protege reliability ratings and comparisons

We've updated our reliability stats for the Protege to include owner experiences through March 31, 2013.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2003 Protege: 51, low
2002 Protege: 69, low
2001 Protege: 148, high, very small sample size
2000 Protege: 123, high, very small sample size

We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds", to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop:

2003 Protege: 54, < 1

We'll have further updates in August and in November.

For the details, including the descriptions of reported repairs, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Mazda Protege reliability ratings and comparisons

We've updated our reliability stats for the Protege to include owner experiences through June 30, 2013. (Another source is about 14 months behind.)

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2003 Protege: 37, low
2002 Protege: 76, low
2001 Protege: 151, high, very small sample size
2000 Protege: 116, high, very small sample size

We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds", to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop:

2003 Protege: 68, < 1

We'll have further updates in November and February.

To view competitors' scores and descriptions of reported repairs, and to sign up to help:

Mazda Protege reliability ratings and comparisons

We've updated our reliability stats for the Protege to include owner experiences through September 30, 2013.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2003 Protege: 63, low
2002 Protege: 51, low
2001 Protege: 99, moderate, very small sample size

We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds", to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop:

2003 Protege: 59, 7

We'll have further updates in February and in May. The more owners participate, the more comprehensive and precise these will be.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Mazda Protege reliability ratings and comparisons

We've updated our reliability stats for the Protege to include owner experiences through December 31, 2013.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2003 Protege: 55, low
2002 Protege: 63, low
2001 Protege: 113, moderate, very small sample size
2000 Protege: 69, low, very small sample size

We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds", to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop:

2003 Protege: 70, 7

We'll have further updates in May and in August. The more owners participate, the more comprehensive and precise these will be.

To see the repairs behind these stats, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Mazda Protege reliability ratings and comparisons

Our reliability stats for the Protege now include owner experiences through March 31, 2014, making them nearly a year ahead of other sources.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2003 Protege: 73, low
2002 Protege: 77, low
2001 Protege: 104, moderate, very small sample size
2000 Protege: 55, low, very small sample size

We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds", to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop:

2003 Protege: 64, 4

Thank you, once again, everyone who has been helping. Next update in August.

For a deeper dive, including the stats for other cars and repair descriptions, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Mazda Protege reliability ratings and comparisons

We've updated our reliability stats for the Protege to include owner experiences through June 30, 2014.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2003 Protege: 77, moderate
2002 Protege: 73, low
2001 Protege: 91, moderate, very small sample size
2000 Protege: 60, low, very small sample size

We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds", to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop:

2003 Protege: 54, 7

Next updates in November and in February. The more owners participate, the more comprehensive and precise these will be.

For repair descriptions, the stats of other cars, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Mazda Protege reliability ratings and comparisons

We've updated our reliability stats for the Protege to include owner experiences through September 30, 2014.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2003 Protege: 70, low
2002 Protege: 76, low
2001 Protege: 98, moderate, very small sample size
2000 Protege: 42, low, very small sample size

We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds", to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop:

2003 Protege: 53, 7

Additional participants always helpful (especially if you see "small sample size" next to the year, or no stat at all).

To view the repairs behind these numbers, check the stats for other cars, and sign up to help improve this information (next update in February):

Mazda Protege reliability ratings and comparisons

We've updated our reliability stats for the Protege to include owner experiences through the end of 2015, about eight months ahead of other sources. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year--lower is better:

2003 Protege: 69, low
2002 Protege: 55, low

We'll have further updates in May and in August. The more owners participate, the more comprehensive and precise these will be.

For the repairs behind these stats, reliability information on other models, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Mazda Protege reliability ratings and comparisons