2003 Mazda Protege 5 from North America - Comments

There seems to be a factory default or problem with the headlights. I have had to replace the lamp bulbs now three times in less than one year. This has been a problem only in the last year or so. I have had the headlight assembly checked for moisture and I was told the assembly appears OK. The after market auto repair shop I take my car too suggested it may be a problem with the wiring harness sending too many volts and blowing the bulb.

I have contacted Mazda Canada and they claim there is no problems with the headlights. They have asked me to take the car into a Mazda dealer to have the problem evaluated. However, they didn't offer to pay for this evaluation. The customer relations person I spoke to would not transfer me to a manager which I think is extremely poor customer service.

The car has been OK now up to 117,000 km, however this summer I pressure washed the car and the paint started to just peel off. I believe there is also problems with the rear brakes which I am looking into further. The Zoom Zoom looks good on all the marketing ads, but I haven't found much Zoom when I drive mine.

I have the very same problem. Nine headlamps in three years. What gives?

Try using quality parts. if you grab the cheapest bulb, what do you expect? ALSO blue coloured bulbs have significantly shorter lifespans.

Hey, do not use a pressure washer on "any" cars paint! Seriously do your research, never pressure wash, "google" it, it's a proven fact. Hand wash or at least drive it through an auto wash, but no no on the pressure wash.

Cheers.

Try using matched bulbs. I've had this problem with other makes of cars. Plus make sure you don't touch the bulb with your fingers, or the oils from your skin will cause the bulb to fail.

-n8.

I have the same problem with my Mazda 5. I've used every make of bulb available. Nothing works for long. Now I'm keeping the bulb packages and returning blown lights under warranty.

My 5.

I used to replace my headlights once a year when I was using Sylvania bulbs and no I do not touch the bulb with my fingers. About a year and a half ago, I went to Meijer and got Philips Bulbs instead. So far so good and that's the brand I will stick with for this car. At least it only happens to the low beam (I have a Pro5 and the high and low beams are in separate bulbs).

If you have that many trouble with bulbs, try switching brands. Even though you said you have tried everything, keep trying. Good luck.

The P5 must have a voltage issue. My 2002 P5 has now gone thru 5 light bulbs (4 low and 1 high) within a 2 year period. Lucky I have been able to replace 3 of the lights under warranty periods.

I have owned the car for 6 years and all these problems have occured in the last two years. I have had to replace two batteries and an alternator in the past 2 years. There is definitely an electrical/voltage issue.

I am the poster on 23rd Dec 2007, 12:31.

It is more than two years, and same bulbs still. Don't know if it was Sylvania, or whether I lucked out without any voltage issue, but the set of Phillips bulbs had lasted over 2 years and are still working. Good luck to all those who still own this little car to find a solution for the burnt out headlights.

It could be vibration. I used to have motorcycle that killed all electrical parts with vibration. If the motor mounts start to harden with age the vibrations could be more than the filaments can handle. Just a suggestion.