2017 Mazda CX-5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2017 Mazda CX-5 ranks 12th of 14 model years with a complaint index of 15 and earns a Best verdict. It has 148 complaints, 1 recall, and no do-not-drive campaigns, making it one of the stronger years for this model.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 15/100
- #12 of 14 CX-5 years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 148
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26.5
- 23.5 city / 30 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2017 Mazda CX-5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System45 (30%)
- Other36 (24%)
- Engine20 (14%)
- Brakes15 (10%)
- Structure & Body15 (10%)
- Fuel System14 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers13 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (5%)
- Lane Departure5 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners describe the smart city brake support system triggering false warnings or failing to stop the vehicle at low speed, in some cases resulting in a crash.
- Adaptive cruise control reportedly failed to decelerate behind slower traffic, forcing the driver to brake manually to avoid a crash.
- Owners report the transmission jerking once the vehicle slows to around 25 mph.
- Some owners describe unintentionally hitting the ignition switch because it sits close to the seat heater control, shutting the engine off while driving.
- Paint reportedly chips down to bare metal from light contact, appearing soon after purchase.
- One owner reported the sunroof glass shattering spontaneously while driving at highway speed with no impact.
2017 Mazda CX-5 recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- 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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Mazda CX-5 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2017 CX-5 has a complaint index of 15, the lowest among most other CX-5 years, and carries a Best verdict relative to other years of the CX-5.
- How does the 2017 CX-5 compare to other CX-5 years?
- It ranks 12th worst out of 14 model years, meaning only two years have fewer reported problems. Years like 2016 (complaint index 100) and 2014 (77) rate Avoid, while 2017 rates Best.
- What is the top problem area for the 2017 CX-5?
- Electrical System complaints lead, making up 30% of reported issues, with a median failure mileage of 5,000 miles.
- Does the 2017 CX-5 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists one recall (campaign 17V744000) for a trailer hitch wiring harness routed too close to the muffler; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
- What mileage do problems typically show up at on the 2017 CX-5?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 19,000 miles across all reported issues, though electrical and brake complaints tended to surface much earlier, around 5,000 and 7,000 miles.