YearToAvoid

2017 Mazda Mazda6 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2017 Mazda Mazda6 has a complaint index of 25, ranking 13th-best out of 17 model years, and earns a Good verdict. It has 60 complaints, 1 recall, and no fires or deaths reported.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
25/100
#13 of 17 Mazda6 years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
60
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2019
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
29
26 city / 35 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2017 Mazda Mazda6 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Infotainment touchscreens exhibit "ghost touch" behavior, randomly switching audio modes, stations, or placing phone calls without driver input.
  • LED headlights reportedly flicker at highway speeds, with owners describing it as a workmanship issue rather than an alternator fault.
  • The backup camera screen has gone blank during reverse with no warning light, requiring a system reprogram.
  • Brake rotors, pads, and calipers reportedly needed replacement at a low mileage, with owners describing rust and unreliable stopping on the highway.
  • One driver reported the transmission locking up completely at highway speed, causing a loss of control.
  • A wiring harness near the engine coils was found chewed through, exposing high-voltage wires.
2017 Mazda Mazda6 complaints: complaints filed per month4Apr 2017Apr 2019Feb 2021Jul 2022Aug 2023Apr 2024Jun 2025Jun 2026
60 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2017 to Jul 2026; peak Jun 2024 (4).

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)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Good3860330
2016Good4477130
2017Good2560129
2018Good3158227
2019Best66127

All Mazda Mazda6 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Mazda Mazda6 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2017 Mazda6 ranks 13th-best out of 17 model years with a complaint index of 25 and carries a Good verdict relative to other Mazda6 years.
What problems does the 2017 Mazda6 have?
NHTSA complaints center on the electrical system, which accounts for 20 of 60 complaints (33%), including touchscreen and headlight issues, followed by collision avoidance/camera problems and brake concerns.
Does the 2017 Mazda6 have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (16V753000) covers an incorrect combination switch wiring for vehicles equipped with optional fog lights; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2017 Mazda6 compare to other years?
With a complaint index of 25, the 2017 model is far below high-complaint years like 2009 (index 100) and 2010 (index 94), which carry Avoid verdicts.
What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Mazda6?
EPA rates the 2017 Mazda6 at 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.