YearToAvoid

2017 Mazda Mazda6 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

36/100

#8 most-complained of 12 Mazda6 years

The 2017 Mazda6 has 60 NHTSA complaints and a Complaint Index of 36, ranking 8th out of 12 model years and earning a "Good" verdict relative to other Mazda6 years. Its top problem area is the Electrical System at 33% of complaints, with one recall filed.

Complaints
60
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
29
26 city / 35 hwy

Top 2017 Mazda Mazda6 problems

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

  1. Other24 (40%)
  2. Electrical System20 (33%)
  3. Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (10%)
  4. Brakes4 (7%)
  5. Engine4 (7%)
  6. Structure & Body4 (7%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain3 (5%)
  8. Fuel System2 (3%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (3%)
  10. Airbags1 (2%)

What owners report

  • Infotainment touchscreens exhibit "ghost touch," randomly switching audio modes, dialing contacts, or activating functions on their own while driving or parked.
  • LED headlights flicker at highway speeds, which owners describe as a workmanship issue not tied to the alternator.
  • The backup camera screen can go blank when the car is placed in reverse, sometimes requiring a system reprogram.
  • Brake rotors, pads, and calipers wore out or rusted with brake system reliability concerns reported around 14,000 miles of median mileage for that category.
  • The transmission has been reported to lock up unexpectedly at highway speed, causing loss of control.
  • Factory-fitted tires were reported to hydroplane easily and perform poorly in wet conditions at low mileage.
2017 Mazda Mazda6 complaints: complaints filed per month5Apr 2017Apr 2019Feb 2021Jul 2022Aug 2023Apr 2024Jun 2025Jun 2026
71 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2017 to Jul 2026; peak Jun 2024 (5).

2017 Mazda Mazda6 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V753000Oct 18, 2016Electrical System180 vehicles

    Exterior lighting:turn signal

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2017 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured August 12, 2016, to September 28, 2016 and equipped with optional accessory fog lights. Due to an incorrect combination switch being installed, the turn signals may not automatically cancel by the rotation of the steering wheel. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    Risk: A vehicle continuously driven with the turn signal flashing may result in confusion to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the combination switch, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0316J.

2017 Mazda Mazda6 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
26 MPG
Highway
35 MPG
Combined
29 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,250
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 Mazda6 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Caution5560330
2016Caution6477130
2017Good3660129
2018Good4558227
2019Best96127

All Mazda Mazda6 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Mazda6 reliable?
Compared to other Mazda6 model years, the 2017 is rated "Good," with a Complaint Index of 36 and 60 complaints logged with NHTSA, ranking 8th out of 12 years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2017 Mazda6?
The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 33% of complaints, including touchscreen "ghost touch" issues and headlight flickering.
Does the 2017 Mazda6 have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (16V753000) covers an incorrect combination switch wiring issue on vehicles with optional fog lights; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2017 Mazda6 compare to other years?
The 2017 has a lower Complaint Index (36) than the 2010, 2011, and 2014 Mazda6 years, which are rated "Avoid," but a higher index than the 2019 and 2021 "Best" years.
What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Mazda6?
The 2017 Mazda6 gets an EPA-rated 29 mpg combined (26 city / 35 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250.

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.