The display is peeling internally/has spiderweb cracks such that it is not viewable and the backup camera display function is therefore unclear. In addition, the system randomly changes radio stations OR TURNS ON AND PLAYS RANDOM MUSIC. ALL OF THIS FEELS UNSAFE.
The worst 2017 Mazda MAZDA3 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical20
- Driver assistance14
- Brakes7
- Engine5
- Visibility5
- Body4
- Fuel system3
- Suspension3
- Transmission3
- Wheels3
- Acceleration2
- Airbags2
- Steering2
- Lights1
- Seats1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2017 Mazda MAZDA3
Recalls 2
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 23V487000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 19V272000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2017 Mazda MAZDA3 511
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- CSP13 - customer service program - mazda connect infotainment system limited warranty extension
- CSP13 - customer service program - mazda connect infotainment system limited warranty extension.
- Customer service program CSP12 - denso low-pressure fuel pump customer service program warranty extension
- This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below
- Description
- This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below
- Supersession between B60S-34-300G/350G and B60S-34- 300H/350H. Please be advised that the G-level and...
- This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below
- This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below
- Description
What 2017 Mazda MAZDA3 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Many modern trucks, SUVs, and cars use LED headlights that are excessively bright and create dangerous glare. When approaching these vehicles from the opposite direction, the headlights can be blinding — similar to having a flashlight shined directly into your eyes — causing temporary loss of visibility. The glare also affects drivers traveling in the same direction, as the intense light reflects sharply off rear‑view and side mirrors. This creates a persistent distraction and makes it difficult to maintain safe awareness of the road. This issue is widespread across many vehicle types and appears to be related to the brightness and mounting height of LED headlights, especially on larger vehicles. It poses a significant safety hazard and should be investigated as a systemic lighting problem.
Anytime the tank was filled with gas there was a strong smell of gasoline vapors that persisted for several days. The car was a few months past its warranty on emissions issues and so I was charged about $1500 to replace a cracked fuel pump and fuel vent that was stuck open. The mechanic also said that the check engine light should have warned me about the problem but that neither the dashboard light nor his diagnostic equipment was triggered by the defect. He suspects the car's computer is programmed to avoid drawing attention to the problem. Had the light been working I would likely have caught the problem while it was still under warranty.
Repeated instances of the Mazda Infotainment system making changes randomly without any user input while driving. Repeated instances of the navigation system freezing, going black, rebooting while driving.
The original OEM radio in my Mazda has been experiencing persistent ghost touch issues, making it incredibly frustrating to use. The screen often registers inputs without me touching it, leading to random changes in volume, station selections, and menu navigation. As a result, I find myself unable to rely on my radio for music or navigation, which significantly detracts from my driving experience. I’m considering possible solutions, but for now, it's an inconvenience that I can't overlook.
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -> Infotainment display has "ghost touch" issue. Infotainment starts acting up on its own without driver input. It changes radio station automatically, places a call randomly, disconnects call randomly. This is caused by the touchscreen digitizer, the display lens of poor quality which leads to webbing or cracking on the inside. This leads to loss of touch and ghost touch issue 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -> It is distracting to the driver when the radio station is switch automatically. It sometimes freaks me out. When the infotainment places call to someone back to back, I need to keep disconnecting the call manually. It creates an unsafe environment for the driver. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -> Yes, the issue is acknowledged by the dealer, but refused to fix it. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? -> No. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? -> No. There is no warning. It appeared 2 years ago with mild discolored screen, then it lead to webbing/cracks on the inside
The screen that displays the backup camera image has an issue that makes it difficult to see the backup camera feed clearly. The screen appeared like this unexpectedly when I returned to my car after a work day. The only warning was a malfunction of the screen's touch function for the last several months.
The infotainment screen in my Mazda 3 will act as if buttons are being pressed without buttons actually being pressed. It a distraction and unsafe. I've noticed that other Mazdas had issues with this as well and were given extended warranties to fix this problem. Why not the 2017 Mazda 3? I talked to a mechanic about fixing it and it's very expensive yet it's a widespread Mazda problem. Someone is going to crash because of this.
I made a right turn onto a gravel driveway that has a slight incline. My speed was less than 10 mph. At the top of the incline I attempted to make a U turn so I could park the car. Midway through the U turn the car's acceleration increased rapidly to high speed without my stepping on the accelerator. I pressed the brake 3 times. The brake pedal went to the floor without seemingly any effect. In seconds the car traveled across the front lawn, picked up concrete from and old cistern top and smashed into the front porch tearing it off it's foundation. Portions of the porch and tree limb fell shortly after the impact. The front tire was spinning at a rapid rate when I exited the vehicle. Extraction of the vehicle was not accomplished for 2 weeks while experts determined how best to accomplish the extraction. The car insurance company and 2 towing businesses declared the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle is with the towing company per car insurance company request. I don't know if it has been inspected. I did not see any warning lights. I was treated at the hospital for a slight concussion and significant head and facial bruising and lacerations as well as a wrist burn likely caused by air bag deployment.
The vehicle's touch screen for radio/nav/vehicle settings has delaminated which causes the display to detect "touches" that are a result of the delamination. This can result in navigation exiting, radio changing audio levels, and a myriad of other things like turning on/off vehicle safety settings. This was a known issue on the previous models and a short web-search has found that many others with this generation mazda has the same issue.
Compare the 2017 Mazda MAZDA3
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2017 Mazda MAZDA3
Is the 2017 Mazda MAZDA3 reliable?
Owners have filed 84 complaints about the 2017 Mazda MAZDA3, fewer than a typical MAZDA3 model year.
What is the 2017 Mazda MAZDA3 year score?
The 2017 Mazda MAZDA3 scores 81 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mazda MAZDA3: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Mazda MAZDA3?
Electrical system, with 20 complaints, typically around 30,000 miles. Next is driver assistance (14).
How many recalls does the 2017 Mazda MAZDA3 have?
2 recalls, covering back over prevention and visibility.
What year does the Mazda MAZDA3 have the most electrical problems?
The Mazda MAZDA3 model years with the most electrical complaints are 2010 (50 complaints), 2013 (32 complaints) and 2018 (30 complaints).
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