2003 Protege Door handle failure
 

I had a front passenger side door handle replaced and a few months later the driver side handle broke. I've had many cars in my life and never had a problem with door handles. Is this a general problem with Mazdas or is my car unique?

I also have a 2003 protege and the interior driver's side door handle broke today. Good seems to have a lot of people reporting the same thing. I'll be calling a local dealer tomorrow I guess.

Join the club
 

I too have had this issue. Contacted Mazda and they would not admit to it being a design fault. $70 to replace each one!!! Went to a wrecker about 6 months ago and bought 4 off them. These have since broken too. Given this, how can it not be a design fault?

Searched online and found some cheap replacements - $60 for a set of 4. The manufacturer also claims that they are an improved design that should not experience the same problem and the old ones.


Hope others can find this and same some bucks too.

how to replace broken handle?
 

Has anyone found a how to explaining how to replace a broken handle? I have taken out the broken handle, and am trying to figure out how to remove the remaining broken piece which is still attached to end of the wire (actuator rod?), which is held in place by a plastic piece at the end of the wire. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance for any tips!

The black piece of plastic clips onto the wire. You need to pull and twist this piece (towards you) in an anticlockwise direction with pliers or the like. It should make a click when it unlocks. Then you can lift it off the wire. To put new one of do the reverse.