The contact owns a 2002 Mazda Protege. While driving 25 mph, the radio stopped working and then smoke came out of the radio. The contact removed the fuse to disengage the radio after smelling the wires burning. The manufacturer has not been notified. The contact is concerned about the risk since serious damage may have occurred. The failure mileage was 110,275.

- Coco Beach, FL, USA

2002 Mazda Protege was involved in a head on collision at 30 mph yet the air bags did not deploy. The consumer sustained two slipped disk in her back. After the vehicle's body damage was repaired the vehicle was taken to the dealer to have the air bags tested but the dealer refused to test the air bag. The indicated that as long as the air bag light wasn't on that everything was fine. The radio switches stations on it's own. The seat belt light did not illuminate when the car was started. The transmission failed 9/7/2004, 40561 miles. The vehicle alignment wont hold. The brakes have been replaced three times due to noise.

- West Haven, CT, USA

Problems with tire equipment on the 2002 Mazda Protege 5. there was difficulty with placing suitcases or boxes into the trunk of this type of vehicle, the cd player skipped, the transmission displayed a loud clunk noise, there was a spare tire problem, there was a nail in the tire which could not be repaired because it was located too close to the edge of the tire, 50% of tread remained, and there was evidence that the wheel needed to have five holes for bolts (spare wheel), and the brakes had 50% remaining. The consumer requested that a memorandum be sent to all Mazda dealers explaining the problem, ensure that one or two replacement tires should be stocked due to the extreme difficulties in locating the correct information of the tire and wheel.

- Conroe, TX, USA