Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Mazda Protege owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
2000 Protege lx accelerator pedal was stuck in the depressed position. As a result of the accelerator pedal sticking the consumer was involved in an accident. On feb 21, 2000 the vehicle was taken to the dealer because the consumer heard a high pitched ping noise coming from the vehicle. The dealer was unable to duplicate the noise. The left rear door lock assembly was defective. The vehicle would accelerated and jerk while accelerating.
I feel that my 2000 Mazda Protege dx with 56,000 miles on it is a very unsafe vehicle. This vehicle has such low miles on it to be giving me any trouble. When I am driving, the vehicle feels as if it is going into overdrive by itself and then returns back to normal. My overdrive light flashes on and off when this happens. This is a very unsafe because when it does this, it lunges your vehicle forward. I have not been going very fast when this has happened. I am very afraid to drive my vehicle in fear that at a higher speed, this could cause an accident. I have read many complaints that are similar as mine. Something needs to be done about this. I have no warranty on my vehicle and really don't have the money to fix it, but it has to be done. From what I have read on the internet, Mazda has produced a very poor transmission. I feel that this is only the start. …
Own a 2000 Mazda Protege dx w/auto & air, 41K miles that was purchased new. Upon driving for 45 minutes on the highway, the o/d transmission light starts blinking. When I bring to the car to a stop, turn off the engine and restart, the light is no longer flashing. I do not drive the car for more than a few minutes after the o/d light starts flashing before letting the car sit for several hours. The transmission fluid also gets dirty at an accelerated rate vs. What would normally be expected for a car. Last full flush at 38K miles, and the fluid is now brownish-red. Transmission shops tell me I need a new transmission for $1,500, but I can imagine I'd need that on a well-maintained japanese car with 41K miles. At this point I'm afraid to drive the car for fear the transmission will fail (from what I've been told) at any moment. …
I took my 2000 Mazda Protege to the dealer to have the rear bumper repaired. I had been hit from behind. While the car was at the dealership I asked to have the oil changed . The service man contacted me, and told me the transmission gasket had a leak. I called several automob ile repair shops, and found the cost of repairing the gasket cheaper than at dealership, especially since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. I was told by the repairman that it was not just the gasket, but the pump - basically the entire transmission. The cost was over $2200 to be repaired. I purchased the car new, and it only had about 36,000 miles on it now. The car has received regular maintainence. I think there was a major defect for a car with so few miles on it to have an entire tranmission replaced.
While lightly accelerating the car suddenly jerked, made a loud noise, and felt as though it slipped into neutral. I pulled my foot off the gas and the car recovered. This has happened 3 times within the past year, all incidents occurred around 40 MPH. I noticed the car usually downshifts at this speed, but had not before each of these incidents had occurred. The car has less than 30K miles. I took it to the dealer, they did not find anything wrong and could not reproduce. I have researched this independently and found that 4 cylinder Mazda's have had similar transmission problems since the switch to Ford transmissions in 1994/1995!! I feel Mazda should have addressed this long ago and that their dealerships should be well aware of the problem.
I just spent 2200 on repairs to my transmission. My vehicle had been lunging forward while I was driving and the repair shop thought it was the transmission. They found major damage to the transmission. It was fixed and now my vehicle is lunging forward again. It just started again today. If I had been driving too close to someone, I would have hit them. Mazda needs to step up and fix this and do a recall. Now I have to go and let the shop try to see why this is going on. I May be out more money. I hate this car and I will never recommend Mazda. And just note this vehicle only has 59000 miles.
As I accelerated to 30 MPH, the "o/d off" light on the dashboard flashed and the speedometer stayed at zero, even though I was driving as fast as the other cars on the street. It felt like neutral gear. The manual indicates the flashing light is due to an electrical problem with the transmission. I remembered that within a few months of purchasing this new car, the transmission was replaced due to peculiar sounds, so I worry about the quality of this component since I do not drive much.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Mazda Protege. The contact stated that the vehicle engine took a long time to start up. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power control module was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 138,000.
While driving engine and overdrive warning lights illuminated. Dealer diagnosed that vehicle requires new transmission, radiator and other engine work. Consumer very concerned because vehicle mileage wa slow and maintained regularly. Ts.
I bought this car used from the dealer. Also with the extended warranty. The engine light comes on and the o/d light flashes. The RPM's increase and the car will bog down like it can't catch another gear. We have taken it to a Mazda dealer to have it checked. They told us they can't find anything wrong with it. While we were talking to the Mazda tech about the problems the car was having and he was telling us can't find the problem. There was a Nissan tech standing there listening and after the Mazda tech went to get our car. The Nissan tech told us the transmission is going out on that car just by you telling what the problem is your having with it. He said he has replaced quite a few transmissions with this problem. He also told us a few other people had the extended warranty and it ran out and cost them to replace the transmission. …
Transmission complaints in other Protege years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2000 Mazda Protege?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2000 Mazda Protege, 28% of the model year's 102 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (26 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Mazda Protege transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2000 Mazda Protege, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Mazda Protege transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.