2003 Mazda Protege LX
JM1BJ225330154720
Vehicle history report for the 2003 Mazda Protege LX (VIN JM1BJ225330154720). Silver, sedan/saloon, 2.0L 4-cyl 117 hp, gasoline. 133,770 mi reported. Registered in Pr. 4 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
🧾 Window sticker / build sheet → All 2003 Mazda Protege data →
What's a 2003 Mazda Protege worth?
What comparable 2003 Mazda Protege vehicles are listed for — a quick gut-check before you negotiate.
Is the seller's price fair? Get this exact VIN's current market value — retail, trade-in & loan value — in the full report.
See this car's exact value →MPG & running costs
U.S. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 2003 Mazda Protege with this engine.
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions with this engine; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages. Actual mileage varies with trim and driving conditions.
Crash-test safety ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Mazda Protege.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program, tested as the 2003 Mazda Protege 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2003 Mazda Protege costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($1,603) with the same model 5 model-years older ($945), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN JM1BJ225330154720
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recall campaigns 4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
NHTSA Campaign #09E025000 · 11/05/2009EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: ALFAOTTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALFAOTTO AT 626-656-2992 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALFAOTTO.COM.
NHTSA Campaign #06E038000 · 08/05/2006EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
NHTSA Campaign #06E064000 · 17/07/2006These are NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year, last checked 5 Oct 2026. They don't show whether this particular car has had the repair done — check this VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.
We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on all 121 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Mazda Protege, here are the most-reported problem areas — and what to check before you buy.
💥 16 involved a crash 🔥 2 involved a fire 🚑 11 reported injuries
🔍 Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
🔍 Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
🔍 Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
🔍 Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
🔍 Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 121
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2003 Mazda Protege.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE AND TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS TAKEN APART AND THE MECHANIC FOUND A SCREW INS…
NHTSA ODI #11318284ENGINE
ROUGH IDLE CAUSING TO STALL WHILE DRIVING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR CYLINDER MISFIRE, FOUND CYLINDER 4 WITH A BENT SPARK PLUG WITH THE GAP CLOSED. REPLACED ALL 4 PLUGS CAR RAN FINE FOR A FEW MONTHS ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE CYLINDER MISFIRE WITH CYLINDER 4 WITH ANOTHER BENT PLUG GAP CLOSED. POSSIBLE SOMETHING LOOSE INSIDE CYLINDER 4 CAUSING THE MISFIRE IS…
NHTSA ODI #11315728AIR BAGS
2003 MAZDA PROTEGE WOULD NOT PASS 2019 VIRGINIA SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. DEALER CANNOT REPLACE BECAUSE MAZDA HAS DISCONTINUED THAT PART. UNDER VIRGINIA LAW, CAR CANNOT BE OPERATED WITHOUT VALID INSPECTION CERTIFICATE. INSPECTION DISCLOSED NO OTHER DISQUALIFYING CONDITIONS.
NHTSA ODI #11252460STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE AREA INSIDE AND OUTSIDE IN TIRES ... MANY SEVERAL WORKSHOPS CAN NOT CORRECT THE ALIGNMENT FAULT ... THE STEERING WHEEL GO TO THE RIGHT AND I HAVE TO FORCE TO THE LEFT ... ALL THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION PART ARE NEW , INCLUDING THE SHOCK ABSORBER IS NEW AND CONTROL ARM AND LINK ROD AND BUSHING ...THE CENTRIC BOLT NOT CORRECT T…
NHTSA ODI #11052498AIR BAGS
2003 MAZDA PROTEGE 5 WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45MPH AND STRUCK A MOVING VEHICLE IN THE REAR QUARTER PANEL. NO AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED IN THE MAZDA PROTEGE 5. THE OTHER VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.
1 injured · NHTSA ODI #10840175STRUCTURE
SEVERE RUSTING OF LEFT AND RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANELS LEADING INTO REAR OF ROCKER PANELS DUE TO POOR RUST PROTECTION FROM FACTORY.
NHTSA ODI #10731781SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH IS NO LONGER WORKING. THERE APPEARS TO BE BROKEN PARTS IN THE FEMALE PART.
NHTSA ODI #10721385SEAT BELTS
I WAS PULLING UP TO MY RESIDENCE WHEN THE SEAT BELT POPPED OUT OF THE RECEIVER BY ITSELF.. I TRIED TO RE-LATCH THE SEAT BELT AND IT WOULD NOT LATCH. I ATTEMPTED A FEW MORE TIMES AND THE SEAT BELT RECEIVER COMPLETELY FELL APART.. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10695508+ 113 more complaints on record.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I find out who owns this vehicle from the VIN?
No — and no legitimate service can. Linking a VIN or plate to a named owner is restricted by the U.S. Driver's Privacy Protection Act, the EU GDPR and equivalent laws. CarLogs shows the vehicle only — specs, recalls, problems and value — never the person.
Is the VIN JM1BJ225330154720 valid?
JM1BJ225330154720 is a structurally valid 17-character VIN with a correct ISO 3779 check digit, assigned to a manufacturer in Japan. It decodes to the 2003 Mazda Protege.
Are there safety recalls on the 2003 Mazda Protege?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2003 Mazda Protege model year. That covers the model year, not this individual car: to see whether a specific vehicle still needs a recall repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.
What is a fair price for a 2003 Mazda Protege?
Comparable 2003 Mazda Protege listings run roughly $700–$2,600, typically around $1,603 (from 17 comparable vehicles). The full report shows this exact VIN's valuation.
What is the 2003 Mazda Protege safety rating?
NHTSA gives the 2003 Mazda Protege crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).
What fuel economy does the 2003 Mazda Protege get?
The 2003 Mazda Protege has U.S. EPA estimates of 23–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).
Recall data checked 5 Oct 2026 · Sources: NHTSA (recalls & complaints), U.S. EPA (fuel economy), NHTSA vPIC (specifications). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.