YearToAvoid

2017 Mazda CX-5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

15/100

#12 most-complained of 14 CX-5 years

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

The 2017 Mazda CX-5 has 148 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 15 out of 100 — #12 highest of 14 CX-5 model years (verdict: Best). The most reported problem area is electrical system (45 complaints, 30% of the total). Complaints report 5 crashes and 3 injuries.

Complaints
148
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
5 / 0
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
26.5
23.5 city / 30 hwy

Top 2017 Mazda CX-5 problems

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

  1. Electrical System45 (30%)
  2. Other36 (24%)
  3. Engine20 (14%)
  4. Brakes15 (10%)
  5. Structure & Body15 (10%)
  6. Fuel System14 (9%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers13 (9%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain11 (7%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (5%)
  10. Lane Departure5 (3%)
2017 Mazda CX-5 complaints: complaints filed per quarter112017 Q22018 Q32019 Q42021 Q12022 Q22023 Q32024 Q42026 Q1
189 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2017 Q2 to 2026 Q2; peak 2018 Q1 (11).

2017 Mazda CX-5 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 17V744000Nov 21, 2017Structure & Body1,076 vehicles

    Trailer hitches

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2017 CX-5 vehicles equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness. This harness may be routed such that there is insufficient clearance between the harness and the exhaust muffler, allowing the wiring harness to contact the muffler.

    Risk: Contact with the muffler may damage the trailer wiring harness, potentially resulting in the trailer lighting being inoperative, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the trailer hitch harness away from the muffler, replacing the harness if it is damaged, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 20, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1617K.

2017 Mazda CX-5 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
23.5 MPG
Highway
30 MPG
Combined
26.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,450
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-5 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Good31133327
2016Avoid100510429
2017Best15148126.5
2018Avoid92349328
2019Avoid85270227

All Mazda CX-5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Mazda CX-5 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2017 Mazda CX-5 ranks #12 of 14 among CX-5 model years (Complaint Index 15/100, verdict: Best). It has 148 complaints and 1 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Mazda CX-5?
The most reported problem areas are electrical system (45 complaints), engine (20 complaints), and brakes (15 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 19,000 miles.
Does the 2017 Mazda CX-5 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2017 Mazda CX-5, most recently reported 2017, covering structure & body.
What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Mazda CX-5?
EPA rates the 2017 Mazda CX-5 at 26.5 MPG combined (23.5 city / 30 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,450. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

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.