AI Damage2017 Mazda Mazda3: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Mazda Mazda3 filed 84 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and backover prevention. The maker issued 292 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 84
- involving a crash
- 6
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 292
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 24% of all complaints
- 2 Backover prevention 13% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 6% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 6% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 5% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 4% of all complaints
- 8 Wheels 4% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 20 complaints (24% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 102.
- Backover prevention: 11 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Service brakes: 7 complaints (8% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 23.
- Visibility: 5 complaints (6% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
- Engine: 5 complaints (6% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 14.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 84 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 20 | 0 | 102 |
| Backover prevention | 11 | 0 | 5 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 4 | 23 |
| Visibility | 5 | 0 | 17 |
| Engine | 5 | 1 | 14 |
| Structure | 4 | 1 | 19 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 24 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 12 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 3 | 1 | 8 |
| Suspension | 3 | 1 | 8 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 14 |
| Air bags | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
I was living on block island and the car let loose out of the parking spot and rolled backwards into a tree doing significant damage to the passenger side and completely taking the mirror off.
Referred to as sudden unintended acceleration (sua). There are many reported cases of sua, some where drivers are at fault. My case was clearly mechanical defect related.
This goes with previous form tge other thing is that my door flew of on freeway right before it jerked like stated in other form my car had just been fixed from same doors and now one flies of car doingb80 miles per hr on i15 in nevada causin the accident I had I feel repair shop needs to cover the cost of accident
Few times since I purchased car I have been telling them about my car jerking to the side while driving its like a wobble effect they said car was fine I insisted to get it checked and they didnt soni went back and told them I wanted full check they said for whatbits a new car I said I dont feel safe with my car…
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.
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.
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.
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 641 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 30% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Mazda3 has 46 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 84, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Backover prevention. Rear camera and parking sensors after a rear impact.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- 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…
- Supersession between B60S-34-300G/350G and B60S-34- 300H/350H
Please be advised that the G-level and H-level control arms are not interchangeable. The G-level part cannot be used to repair a vehicle built with the H-level. The H-level part can be used to repair a vehicle built…
- 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.
- 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 292 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 Mazda3?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, backover prevention, service brakes. Total complaints: 84. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: infotainment or screen glitches (38%), rear-view camera (19%), warning lights, check engine (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Mazda Mazda3?
NHTSA lists 292 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 Mazda3 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.