Table 1 shows one common latches/locks/linkage related problems of the 2002 Mazda Protege 5.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Hatchback/liftgate Lock problems |
The hydraulic arm broke and snapped off at the metal ball joint suddenly slamming the hatch door on my 2002 Mazda Protege 5 closed. Fortunately, my son and I had just stepped back from the rear of the vehicle when this happened. Had either one of us still been retrieving items from the back of the car, I believe we would have been seriously injured.