First thing to break on my P5

[katapaltes]

So I've had my '03 Protege5 for 10.5 years, and I've taken good care of it and garaged it at work and at home (apartment). Two weeks ago, it suffered its first failure: The electric door lock problem that's been mentioned here a bit. I mean, it goes through headlight bulbs too quickly and the valve cover is leaking a little bit, and the oil-change guys and dealership have messed up more than their fair share of stuff with it, but the electric lock/unlock is the first REAL failure on it. I am just amazed by this car... If I am able to replace the gear myself using the tutorial on this site, it will be a $15 repair. (Part is ordered and fingers are crossed.)

Are all top-tier Japanese car makers this good nowadays? I'm looking at getting a BRZ, but I won't have this kind of luck with that car, I'm sure.

P.S. I don't mean to brag, or if I am, I'm bragging on the car itself. Mainly, I'm just thinking out loud.
Cheers,
-kat

 

[tweety2300]

With constantly being run low on oil and never having oil changed by other owners I have no idea how mine made it as far as it did. Motors don't hold up well to making power but stock they're great

 

[hornsfan10609]

My parents had a P5 since new and never had single problem with it for 8 years when it was wrecked and totalled, they were great cars.

 

[hotcracker69]

mine is a 2002 with 215k, only 1 thing broke. 1 rear caliper leaked

 

[esnave09]

Aside from maintenance things (brakes, struts, springs, tires, etc.) my list has been fairly short too. I replaced my valve cover gasket as well, I had to replace my alternator and battery within a month of getting the car (along with the alternator belt), and have been wrestling off and on with wheel bearings (thank God my shop covers them under warranty now), but other than those, my problems have almost completely been related to the fact that the maintenance items haven't been done (cracked something in my steering rack, stripped a bolt on my control arm, springs are sagging now I think, bad sway bar link). Damn the previous owners, right?

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

My first failure, even with mucho changarunies was the Progress rr sway bar bracket the other day and that was because after 8 yrs and many 3 wheel motions in and out of the driveway, I lost a nut on the driver side bracket and it finally broke and fell off and the dangling sway bar was the odd clunk I was hearing recently. I just popped the oem one back on after fetching it from the attic until I can score some more 22mm brackets.

 

[Justin2129]

the only things that have failed on my p5 (that was stock) are some headlight piece that melted, and the radiator...went at 220,000 miles. pretty good id say

 

[mtnbiker26]

Not counting routine maintenance like struts, brakes, tires, batteries and timing belt I've replaced the fuel tank, fuel pump housing, rear right wheel speed sensor, coil packs, motor mounts and air intake tube. I did all the work myself so it cost me my time and about $600 in parts for "failures". I think it's reasonable for an 11 year old car.

 

[JesseM]

That RR wheel speed sensor seems to be a common failure. Its the highest priced sensor on Rockauto also.