# 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE — SEATS
> NHTSA complaint `472811` · 2004-04-26 · Mazda Motor Corp.
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 1
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** MAZDA
- **Model:** PROTEGE
- **Year:** 2003
- **Manufacturer:** Mazda Motor Corp.
- **Component:** SEATS
## Narrative
I AM 6'0" WITH A TEMPERMENTAL BACK AND A 30" PANT INSEAM.  IN PRACTICAL TERMS, I MUST HAVE THE SEAT CUSHION AT ITS LOWEST POSITION (FOR HEADROOM); THE SEAT BACK VERTICAL (TO PREVENT BACKACHE); AND THE SEAT MOVED RELATIVELY FORWARD (TO REACH THE PEDALS).  MY 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE 5 IS ONE OF THE FEW CARS I CAN DRIVE COMFORTABLY.  THAT'S HIGH PRAISE FOR SUCH A MODEST CAR.  >>>>>  MY PROBLEM WITH THE PROTEGE IS THE LEVER FOR THE FORE/AFT MOVEMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT.  THE LEVER IS BELOW THE FRONT EDGE OF THE SEAT CUSHION (INSTEAD OF ALONG THE LEFT SIDE); IT IS SHAPED ROUGHLY LIKE A CAPITAL LETTER "L" LAID HORIZONTALLY; THE INSIDE ANGLE IS ABOUT 120 DEGREES (SO THAT THE LONG SIDE POINTS FORWARD TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR); AND THE LEVER TIP IS "POINTY".  >>>>>  IF I WEAR "LONG" PANTS WITH BOTTOM CUFFS, THE CUFFS ARE PRONE TO CATCH ON THE SEAT LEVER AS I GET OUT OF THE CAR.  BELIEVE ME, IT'S NOT EASY TO STOP 235 POUNDS WHEN I'VE BEEN THROWN OFF BALANCE.  I'VE REPEATEDLY GOTTEN BRUISED AND/OR SCRAPED HANDS DURING UNGRACEFUL LANDINGS.  >>>>>  THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS SIMILAR.  THESE LEVERS ARE A SAFETY HAZARD.  I BELIEVE THAT THE 2003 PROTEGE (AND ANY OTHER RECENT VEHICLE USING THIS DESIGN) SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE SEAT LEVERS.*AK  >>>>>  A REPLACEMENT LEVER SHOULD BE SHAPED SO THAT ITS TIP TUCKS FAR ENOUGH UNDER THE SEAT CUSHION (A COUPLE OF INCHES) TO PREVENT IT FROM CATCHING A PANT CUFF OR PURSE STRAP.  FOR AN EXAMPLE OF THE JOB DONE RIGHT, PLEASE SEE THE 2004 MAZDA
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*