YearToAvoid

2017 Mazda Mazda3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

33/100

#11 most-complained of 16 Mazda3 years

The 2017 Mazda3 has 83 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 33, ranking 11th worst out of 16 model years — a relatively Good year. Electrical System issues lead complaints at 25% share, with two recalls covering the rearview camera and windshield wiper relay.

Complaints
83
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
6 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
30.5
27 city / 36.5 hwy

Top 2017 Mazda Mazda3 problems

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

  1. Other28 (34%)
  2. Electrical System21 (25%)
  3. Collision Avoidance & Cameras13 (16%)
  4. Brakes8 (10%)
  5. Engine6 (7%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (7%)
  7. Structure & Body5 (6%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers5 (6%)
  9. Fuel System3 (4%)
  10. Transmission & Powertrain3 (4%)

What owners report

  • Owners report unexpected sudden acceleration or the car speeding forward despite the brake pedal being pressed to the floor.
  • Some describe the brake pedal going soft or to the floor during low-speed turns, with the vehicle failing to slow down.
  • Steering complaints mention the car jerking or wobbling to one side while driving.
  • One owner reported a door flying open on the freeway at highway speed, contributing to a crash.
  • Windshield ripples near the pillars were reported as causing eye strain and forcing drivers to look through a different part of the glass.
  • Electrical System complaints describe the engine failing to accelerate when the throttle is applied after a turn, despite the engine still running.
2017 Mazda Mazda3 complaints: complaints filed per month6May 2017Aug 2018Nov 2019Sep 2020Oct 2022Oct 2023Jul 2024Jan 2025
103 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2017 to Apr 2026; peak May 2024 (6).

2017 Mazda Mazda3 recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns 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.

  2. NHTSA 19V272000Apr 4, 2019Visibility & Wipers187,880 vehicles

    Visibility:windshield wiper/washer

    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.

    Risk: 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.

2017 Mazda Mazda3 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
27 MPG
Highway
36.5 MPG
Combined
30.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,125
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 Mazda3 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Avoid801304 !32
2016Caution531046 !32
2017Good3383230.5
2018Caution67108430.5
2019Good40746—

All Mazda Mazda3 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Mazda3 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2017 Mazda3 has a complaint index of 33 and ranks 11th worst of 16 model years, making it a relatively Good year for the model.
What problems does the 2017 Mazda3 have?
NHTSA lists 83 complaints for the 2017 Mazda3, with Electrical System issues making up 25% of complaints, followed by Collision Avoidance & Cameras at 16% and Brakes at 10%.
Does the 2017 Mazda3 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2017 Mazda3: one for a rearview camera that may flicker or show a distorted image, and one for a windshield wiper relay that can cause the wipers to become inoperative.
How does the 2017 Mazda3 compare to other Mazda3 years?
The 2017 model's complaint index of 33 is lower than earlier years like 2010 (100) and 2012 (93), but higher than newer years like 2020 (0) and 2022 (7), placing it in the middle of the pack overall.
What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Mazda3?
The 2017 Mazda3 gets an EPA-rated 30.5 mpg combined (27 city / 36.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,125.

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.