AI Damage2017 Mazda CX-3: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Mazda CX-3 filed 21 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel/propulsion system and engine. The maker issued 312 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 21
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 312
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel/propulsion system 38% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 14% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 10% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 10% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 10% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 5% of all complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system: 8 complaints (38% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Engine: 3 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 97.
- Visibility: 2 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 20.
- Fuel system: 2 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 21 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 8 | 0 | 1 |
| Engine | 3 | 1 | 9 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 97 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 20 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 1 | 19 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 19 |
| Structure | 1 | 1 | 19 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 12 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 115 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 31 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
All of a sudden, as my right foot was still on the brakes, I felt the car lurch forward, and felt myself pulled back into my seat from the velocity, as the car suddenly accelerated forward out of control! I had NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR! I saw myself speeding towards the drycleaners’ glass window storefront!
A driver didn't see me in his left side blind spot and was veering into my lane at 85-90mph. I swerved to the left to avoid the car and my car wouldn't straighten/I couldn't get back the control. I smashed the guardrail with the whole left side of my car and the car was deemed to be totaled by the insurance company.
Windshield wiper fluid tank leaks when you pour fluid in empty within about an hour
LED speedometer in dash showing incorrect speed or unreadable. Advised of chip malfunction.
Steering system seems to become unhinged. Something in the steering system is not working properly.
The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available.
It's the exact same low pressure fuel pump failure symptom that later CX-3's are being recalled for. I took it to a Mazda dealer and he only recommended that I keep the tank over half full.
Both headlamp lights have water on it (Condensation ocurring on both headlamps) Please verify if this situation could be considered a safety hazard.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,228 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 42% least complained about).
On average one model year of the CX-3 has 19 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 21, about average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...),…
If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been…
- Some vehicles may exhibit accumulation of dried coolant (1) around the water pipe (2)
This is caused by a gap between the housing and pipe due to a press fitting during the manufacturing process. The accumulated coolant is solidified and plugs the gap in high temperature environment and the seepage is…
- Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle certification label
To obtain a replacement VIN plate (bulkhead-mounted and visible through the lower-left area of the windshield), contact DAG (Dealer Assistance Group) using VIN Plate Request Form available on One Mazda. To obtain a…
- Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems
Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not…
- If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake…
If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake manifold internally before installing a replacement engine assembly. If the intake manifold is not cleaned properly…
- Some customers may experience one or more electrical malfunctions after a vehicle body repair
A newly painted fender stay (2) may be causing a poor front harness (1) ground connection. The front fender stay (2) newly painted surface at ground point (3), where attachment bolt (4) is seated, may create a poor…
- Some customers may complain about a tapping or knocking noise coming from the rear seat after fuel fill
The concern will likely occur if the fuel tank is overfilled (more fuel is added after the fuel pump nozzle shuts off automatically) or filled up normally in high ambient temperatures and the fuel expands. No repair is…
- Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt…
Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt auto tensioner. This may be caused by insufficient sealing at the drive belt auto tensioner damper when the auto…
- There are currently 2 methods for cutting a new auxiliary key blank
A. Auxiliary Key Trace Cut Method • B. Auxiliary Key Code Cut Method 2019 and newer models require a 10-digit key code to accurately cut keys • 5-digit codes CANNOT be provided for 2019 and newer vehicles (the…
- Some customers may report an odor or water in the HVAC system and upon inspection, the cabin air filter…
Some customers may report an odor or water in the HVAC system and upon inspection, the cabin air filter may be found to be wet.
- If the right-side Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) control module is replaced for any reason, it is also…
If the right-side Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) control module is replaced for any reason, it is also necessary to replace the left-side BSM control module in order to complete the radar aiming procedure. If the…
- A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating
It is most noticeable when the A/C is first turned ON. This odor is the result of mold growth in the A/C evaporator/cooling unit which is caused by condensation, dust, and pollen within the cooling unit. This condition…
NHTSA lists 312 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Mazda CX-3?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel/propulsion system, engine, electrical system. Total complaints: 21. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (29%), stalls while driving (29%), warning lights, check engine (19%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Mazda CX-3?
NHTSA lists 312 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2017 Mazda CX-3 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2017 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.