YearToAvoid

2017 Mazda CX-3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

67/100

#3 most-complained of 7 CX-3 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2017 Mazda CX-3 has a complaint index of 67 and ranks 3rd worst out of 7 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Fuel System issues dominate at 48% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 33,121 miles, plus one rearview camera recall.

Complaints
21
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
30
28 city / 33 hwy

Top 2017 Mazda CX-3 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Fuel System10 (48%)
  2. Engine5 (24%)
  3. Electrical System3 (14%)
  4. Other2 (10%)
  5. Airbags1 (5%)
  6. Brakes1 (5%)
  7. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (5%)
  8. HVAC1 (5%)
  9. Steering1 (5%)
  10. Structure & Body1 (5%)

What owners report

  • Vehicles lose motive power and stall suddenly, sometimes while driving at highway speed or approaching a stop sign.
  • Some owners report the engine sputtering as if out of fuel even though the gas gauge shows fuel remaining.
  • A faulty fuel pump was blamed by one owner after the vehicle lost power at 139,099 miles.
  • The right foot can get caught between the center console and carpet near the gas pedal, making it hard to lift off the accelerator.
  • The blind spot warning system reportedly failed to detect vehicles overtaking from the side in some cases.
  • The rearview camera image can flicker or distort, tied to a separate recall for the backup camera system.
2017 Mazda CX-3 complaints: complaints filed per month4Mar 2017Aug 2020May 2022Dec 2022Aug 2023Jun 2024
27 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2017 to Mar 2025; peak Aug 2022 (4).

2017 Mazda CX-3 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V487000Jul 14, 2023Collision Avoidance & Cameras236,100 vehicles

    Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

    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.

    Risk: 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 August 14, 2024. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated on or before May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6023G.

2017 Mazda CX-3 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
28 MPG
Highway
33 MPG
Combined
30 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,175
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2017 compared with other CX-3 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002014201620172018201920202021
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014No verdict030—
2016Avoid10048330
2017Caution6721130
2018Good3310130
2019Avoid8327230

All Mazda CX-3 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Mazda CX-3 reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2017 CX-3 a complaint index of 67 and a Caution verdict, ranking 3rd worst of 7 model years tracked. Fuel System complaints make up 48% of reports, more than any other area.
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Mazda CX-3?
Fuel System issues are most common, accounting for 10 of 21 complaints (48%), including loss of power and stalling, with a median failure mileage of 33,121 miles.
Does the 2017 Mazda CX-3 have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (campaign 23V487000) covers a rearview camera that may flicker or show a distorted image; dealers will inspect and replace the camera and install a wiring harness as needed.
How does the 2017 CX-3 compare to other CX-3 years?
The 2017 model's complaint index of 67 is better than 2016 (100, Avoid) and 2019 (83, Avoid), but worse than 2018 (50, Caution), 2020 (33), and 2021 (17).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.