My 2000 Mazda Protege LX has had some "major surgery" lately. About a year ago (early 2008), when backing up especially, the car would make a stress then pop noise on the right side and towards the middle underside of the car. I was told this and that. I had new rear struts put on, alignments, tightening of the suspension, etc. Some of these worked temporarily. My car was involved in an "accident" at the end of December 2008. We had bad snow and ice and my car's left front tire hit an ice rut pretty good. After that, my car popped and popped. Turns out, the entire steering rack and everything that goes with it had to be replaced. When I drove the car back to work after the repair, the stick shift turned to jello. I barely made it back to the repair shop where it was discovered that the bushing had come apart. Well, now I have been battling a creaky clutch peddle. With each release, it creaks like an old hinge as if it's trying to get back into position. It's getting worse. I talked to mechanics and read on-line about it. Some say it could be the fluid reservoir (how empty it is) or this spring that is rubbing on another component. The pedal feels okay, it's not loose. I just now wonder if this is coincidental due to the repair of the steering rack and weak bushing of the stick shift. And for the record, the manual in the car is for an automatic transmission, not a 5spd. I bought the car used in 2001 with 24,000 miles on it.

- Lacey, WA, USA

Less than two months after purchasing my 2000 Mazda Protege new from the dealer I took the vehicle to the service dept. While accelerating, the car would jerk and buck as if I hit a brick wall. The car continued to do this. Each time I complained to the service dept. At the dealership I was told nothing was wrong. I also contacted Mazda Corp. To inquire if there were any other complaints or recalls. I was advised that Mazda had not received any similar complaints. Just shy of three years of ownership I again took the car to the dealer service dept with the same problem concerning the car's acceleration. This was my third request to have the dealer look into the matter. Again, I was told nothing was wrong with the car. The car's acceleration continued to act up. On May 26, 2006, with 66097 miles on the vehicle my accelerator stuck and I struck another vehicle and a cement base light pole. Each time I took my foot off the brake to shift from reverse or drive, my car would take off on its own. I have sent the NHTSA a detailed written complaint via postal mail. That complaint is dated June 5, 2006. There was a high pitched noise coming from the front of the vehicle upon acceleration. The vehicle needed a front end alignment. The consumer a experienced a flat tire, however upon opening the trunk she discovered the tool kit was not there. According to the owners manual the tool kit should have been there. Updated 07/10/06.

- Wichita, KS, USA

Over the past year, my 2000 Mazda Protege ES makes a thumping noise when going over bumps. It sounds like something is hitting the floor. I've had the car back to the dealer for repairs six times over the past year. After having the service department replaces various suspension parts, the noise goes away...only to return a month or two later. The last time it was at the dealer was on Monday (2/3/03). The noise was gone then. However, after driving to and from work today (2/4/03), I noticed that it came back tonight. I'm a little reluctant to drive the car, since I'm not sure exactly how it is going to behave. If it's going to do this after a few miles, what is it going to do on longer trips?

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Car always pulls toward the right. More pronounced with passengers in the car. Have tried allignments and tire rotation. Nothing helps. Drove several other 2000 Proteges, and they also pulled. I feel this is a defect, possibly related to the suspension of the car being too stiff for the size and weight of the vehicle.

- Brandon, FL, USA