Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mazda protg. The contact stated that while attempting a left turn at 10 MPH, the vehicle began sliding abnormally. The contact applied the brakes in order to shift gears but the vehicle would not stop. The contact then attempted to engage the emergency brake but to no avail and crashed into a curb. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnosis. The dealer advised that the brake sensor would need replacing. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not available.the failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 98,000.
Emergency brake fails on inclines--this happened to me and a woman with the same make, model and year car sitting next to me at an insurance hearing! It caused significant damage to both our cars and her friend's property.
I've owned my 2002 Mazda protege5 for 7 years now. It's always had a vibration while braking. Even after having out brand new brakes, rotors and calipers. I'm very anal on how my car looks and drives. If I feel something out of the ordinary, I know something is off. This has happened ever since I've had the car. It does cause me to drive more cautiously especially in the back roads along with wet pavement. The steering wheel shakes while braking as well. As for the body of the car, the paint is faiding fast. It's yellow, and I hand polish and wax it once before spring, summer, and winter. I use maguires wax and polish every time. And it's also got a rust spot along the back left wheel lip. I am the second owner of the vehicle. And when I took it to the dealership to be repainted after I played for the car. It was magically only 24 hours from the warranty covering it. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mazda Protege. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the brake pedal was applied and the vehicle lunged forward. The vehicle then accelerated up a hill and suddenly stopped. The contact had the vehicle towed to a tow yard. Later, the vehicle was driven to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the frame was bent and the fuel and brake lines were destroyed. The vehicle was unable to be repaired and was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000. Updated 11/09/15
The problems with this particular vehicle occurred on 11/01/2001 in an auto accident. I'm the passenger who was driving the vehicle southbound on the interstate when suddenly I couldn't stop the vehicle because of the brakes, so I tried to change lanes, and the car veered off the road, landing in a ditch after crashing into 4 or 5 trees. No air bags deployed, and my seat belt detached at some point during the impact. As a result car was completely totaled, and driver side door was smashed in. Passenger's seat directly behind the driver was pushed into the middle of the car, and the truck sat in the back seat. Through all of the impact I could have probably been thrown out of my seat because my sat became unattached, thereby causing extreme damage to my chest, and leaving me with fractured ribs which could have been avoided if the air bags simply deployed. …
While on a 300 mile trip,\ I noticed a slight noise comming from my rear end. Upon my return home, the noise got worse and I took it to a repair shop and found the brake calipers malfunctioned, and a complete rear end brake job costing over $1,000.00 was required. Since the vehicle had only 52,000 miles on it and was less than four years old I took it to the Mazda dealer, and was told since it was out of warranty. All they could do was off $175.00 off the brake job(still over $1,000.00). On a vehicle this new I feel the calipers should not have failed. The brakes still have not been replaced as I am still trying to have Mazda pay more of the cost. Replacement parts needed are 2 rear calipers, 2 rotors, 2 sets of brake pads and 2 brake line hoses.
I had been in an accident in early 2006 that was reported to the police and when I applied my brakes, they were not effective. I thought it was the type of tire I had on my car so about 2 weeks ago I spent 600 for top of the line tires. On 11/17/2006, I was behind a car that slammed on their brakes and when I applied mine they did not slow the car down so I kept pumping them so hard I bruised my foot and crashed into the person in front of me totaling my car. I had my seat belt on but since there was no indication that the brakes were being applied, the belt remained loose and my head smashed into the windshield shattering it. After giving my info to the driver I hit and making sure that I was alright, he left and said not to worry as the damage to his car was minimal and he could fix it himself. …
While driving 50 MPH check engine light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and the mechanic determined that transmission needed to be replaced. Also, while applying the brake pedal vehicle failed to stop. However, consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic determined that the brakes needed to be replaced, and replaced them three times. However, the problem recurred.....the transmission cost $1,800.00 to be replaced. The contact stated that a vehicle with not much mileage should not have a major transmission failure. The car jerked and was shifting gears while driving. It was clearly a defective transmission.
Related recalls (1)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some left side rear brake hoses were damaged during assembly. Brake fluid leakage could occur.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake hose and, if necessary, replace the hose. Owner notification began February 20, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…
Frequently asked questions
Which Mazda Protege years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (12), 1997 (11), 2002 (11), 2000 (10) and 1996 (9) model years. Brake complaints make up 7% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Mazda Protege brake problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 01V-024 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Feb 1, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mazda Protege brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles; 65% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (17 mentions), followed by the foundation components (14).
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.