2017 Mazda Mazda3 Safety Report
2017 MAZDA3 Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2017 Mazda Mazda3
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2017 Mazda Mazda3. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (82) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 6 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2020 | Compare against the 2020 Mazda Mazda3 with 31 complaints and 2 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Mazda Mazda3 before buying across this generation. |
Mazda Mazda3 Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Mazda Mazda3 years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Mazda Mazda3 | 106 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2016 Mazda Mazda3 | 101 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Mazda Mazda3 | 72 | 6 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Mazda Mazda3 | 128 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Mazda Mazda3 | 31 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Mazda Mazda3 | 49 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2017 Mazda Mazda3 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2017 Mazda Mazda3, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Unknown Or Other
18 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Mazda onlyElectrical System
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Mazda onlyBack Over Prevention
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Back Over Prevention issues Mazda onlyElectrical System,Unknown Or Other
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Unknown Or Other issues Mazda onlyService Brakes
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Mazda onlyVisibility/Wiper
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Mazda onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Mazda Mazda3
Reliability Score
The 2017 Mazda Mazda3 receives a reliability score of 65 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2017 Mazda Mazda3
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2017 Mazda Mazda3
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Mazda Mazda3:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infotainment System Malfunction The infotainment system frequently malfunctions, causing distractions and safety concerns. Issues include random changes without user input and 'ghost touch' problems. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Back Over Prevention System The back over prevention system has a sensing issue, which can lead to potential safety hazards. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Visibility/Wiper System Defect The visibility/wiper system has a defect, which can affect the driver's ability to see clearly. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Fuel/Propulsion System Issues The fuel/propulsion system has occasional issues, but these are less frequent than other problems. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2017 Mazda Mazda3:
The infotainment system is the most common issue, with frequent malfunctions causing distractions and safety concerns.
The back over prevention system has a significant issue, with sensing problems leading to potential safety hazards.
The visibility/wiper system has a defect, which can affect the driver's ability to see clearly.
The fuel/propulsion system has occasional issues, but these are less frequent than other problems.
Recall Details for the 2017 Mazda Mazda3
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2017 Mazda Mazda3 by NHTSA:
Summary: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021 CX-3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image.
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, as necessary. In addition, dealers will install a wiring harness fastening seal. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 13, 2023. Final owner letters for affected models and model years in the states of CT, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA and VA were mailed ...
Summary: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Mazda3 vehicles. A defective windshield wiper relay may cause the windshield wipers to become inoperative, reducing the driver's visibility.
Consequence: Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front body control module with a new module which uses an improved wiper relay design, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3219D.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2017 Mazda Mazda3
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2017 Mazda Mazda3 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
Anytime the tank was filled with gas there was a strong smell of gasoline vapors that persisted for several days. The car was a few months past its warranty on emissions issues and so I was charged about $1500 to replace a cracked fuel pump and fuel vent that was stuck open. The mechanic also said that the check engine light should have warned me about the problem but that neither the dashboard li...
Repeated instances of the Mazda Infotainment system making changes randomly without any user input while driving. Repeated instances of the navigation system freezing, going black, rebooting while driving.
The original OEM radio in my Mazda has been experiencing persistent ghost touch issues, making it incredibly frustrating to use. The screen often registers inputs without me touching it, leading to random changes in volume, station selections, and menu navigation. As a result, I find myself unable to rely on my radio for music or navigation, which significantly detracts from my driving experience....
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -> Infotainment display has "ghost touch" issue. Infotainment starts acting up on its own without driver input. It changes radio station automatically, places a call randomly, disconnects call randomly. This is caused by the touchscreen digitizer, the display lens of poor quality which leads to we...
The screen that displays the backup camera image has an issue that makes it difficult to see the backup camera feed clearly. The screen appeared like this unexpectedly when I returned to my car after a work day. The only warning was a malfunction of the screen's touch function for the last several months.
The infotainment screen in my Mazda 3 will act as if buttons are being pressed without buttons actually being pressed. It a distraction and unsafe. I've noticed that other Mazdas had issues with this as well and were given extended warranties to fix this problem. Why not the 2017 Mazda 3? I talked to a mechanic about fixing it and it's very expensive yet it's a widespread Mazda problem. Someone is...
I made a right turn onto a gravel driveway that has a slight incline. My speed was less than 10 mph. At the top of the incline I attempted to make a U turn so I could park the car. Midway through the U turn the car's acceleration increased rapidly to high speed without my stepping on the accelerator. I pressed the brake 3 times. The brake pedal went to the floor without seemingly any effect. In se...
The vehicle's touch screen for radio/nav/vehicle settings has delaminated which causes the display to detect "touches" that are a result of the delamination. This can result in navigation exiting, radio changing audio levels, and a myriad of other things like turning on/off vehicle safety settings. This was a known issue on the previous models and a short web-search has found that many others with...
Hello frustrated people! Second time back to the dealership...backup camera they say got wet from moisture, (after 2 drained batteries in less than 2 years), my cost. I think that this is a very dangerous vehicle that I am driving now!!!! Besides the fact, at my age, being stuck in a parking lot in 20 degree weather for 3 hours waiting for roadside assistance. The camera goes haywire...I ca...
Seat sensor failed.
Malfunctioning on and off on the display screen. My battery went dead after 11 months. Cause? It started over a year ago, but I called Mazda and they said there were no recalls at that time. Are there any now to date? Thank you for your time.
My 2017 Mazda Mazda3 Sport is affected by a problem widely known as "ghost touch" by owners of this vehicle. This issue causes the touch screen to behave erratically and activate random functions, which is extremely distracting while driving. Mazda has a recall on a similar issue for the 2014-2016 Mazda3, but it refuses to fix this obviously widespread issue for the 2017 and later models.
The touchscreen for the infotainment area is ghost touching and changing information. This turn off information like lane change assist changes the volume of the blinker as well as randomly calls people. This is highly disruptive and distracting while driving. There has been many instances when I have had to pull off the road to try to avoid major issues because of this. When it is selecting thing...
The infotainment system is malfunctioning. It constantly restarts/reboots while I am driving and it is highly distracting. I contacted Mazda USA about this, but they responded by saying there are not active recalls for this car and the car isn't under warranty. I took it to a dealership and they quoted me $1450 for repairs. However, a problem such as this should not be occuring for a car that ...
My rear camera is not centered when I bought my car as new in 2017. I reported the issue. But they told me it is normal. I got a letter from Mazda in 2022 about the rear camera recall. Then I asked them to do the recall. They told me they don't have parts. Recently, the video output is getting worse. It is distorted, flickering and zoomed out. I asked them again on 2024. They told the recall is...
The contact owns a 2017 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rearview camera would intermittently display a distorted or blank image. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the camera was replaced under warranty; however, the failure returned almost a year later after the repair. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Preve...
Screen has delamination causing it to have a "ghost touch" it will randomly change stations, change volume, try to make calls and click random buttons. It does all this without having been touched, this has occurred multiple times while driving causing a distraction that could eventually result in a wreck.
The contact owns a 2017 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera image was distorted or showed a black screen occasionally and failed to engage on other occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the rearview camera was replaced several times; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V48...
I am experiencing an issue with the infotainment system in my vehicle where it behaves erratically and intermittently without any input from me. Radio Stations Change Automatically: The system switches between radio stations on its own, even when I haven’t touched the controls. Unwanted Phone Calls: The system will sometimes dial random contacts from my phone without any command or input from m...
I have a Mazda 2017 and it has a problem with Connect Touch Screen at the Central Display unit is Ghosting. I saw the recall was issued for 2014-2016 but want to let you know the 2017 is also having the same issue. This is my daughters can and when she was driving from school it started changing the screen and calling some through the phone etc.
Showing 20 of 82 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Mazda Mazda3
Has the 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3 been recalled?
Yes, the 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3 has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3 have?
The 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3 has 82 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 6 involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3?
The 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3 involve unknown or other (18 complaints), electrical system (9 complaints), back over prevention (7 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system,unknown or other, service brakes, visibility/wiper.
How many crash reports does the 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3 have?
There are 6 crash reports associated with the 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3 out of 82 total complaints (7.3% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3.
How many injuries are reported for the 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3 is acceptable with caveats. It has 82 complaints, 2 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3?
The components with the most failures on the 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3 are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (18 complaints), 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (9 complaints), 3. BACK OVER PREVENTION (7 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER (6 complaints), 5. SERVICE BRAKES (5 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 18 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3?
Be cautious of the infotainment system malfunctions and back over prevention system issues. Regular maintenance can help mitigate these problems. The 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3 has 82 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3?
The 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3 receives a reliability score of 65/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 82 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 6 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Infotainment System Malfunction and Back Over Prevention System.
What are the known issues with the 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3?
Known issues with the 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3 include: Infotainment System Malfunction, Back Over Prevention System, Visibility/Wiper System Defect, Fuel/Propulsion System Issues. These are based on patterns found across 82 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What is the most common issue with the 2017 Mazda3?
The most common issue is the infotainment system malfunction, which causes distractions and safety concerns.
Are there any known defects in the back over prevention system?
Yes, the back over prevention system has a sensing issue that can lead to potential safety hazards.
Can I inspect the infotainment system for 'ghost touch' issues?
Yes, you can inspect the infotainment system for 'ghost touch' issues, which are a known problem.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of the infotainment system malfunctions and back over prevention system issues. Regular maintenance can help mitigate these problems.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Mazda Mazda3
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Mazda Mazda3. The data includes 82 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 6 reported crashes, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2017 Mazda Mazda3 an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16