2017 Mazda Mazda3 problems and recalls

Owners filed 45 complaints on the 2017 Mazda Mazda3 in the last three full years, out of 83 on record. The most cited component is the Unknown Or Other.

83
Complaints
2
Recalls
6
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
1
Injuries
50.8
Severity index

Severity index 50.8 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 50.8p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 85 of 137 by severity index among 2017 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 38% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2017 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 27 complaints (32.5%)27 33%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 20 complaints (24.1%)20 24%Back Over PreventionBack Over Prevention: 11 complaints (13.3%)11 13%Service BrakesService Brakes: 7 complaints (8.4%)7 8%Visibility/WiperVisibility/Wiper: 5 complaints (6.0%)5 6%EngineEngine: 5 complaints (6.0%)5 6%StructureStructure: 4 complaints (4.8%)4 5%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 3 complaints (3.6%)3 4%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2732.5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2024.1%
BACK OVER PREVENTION1113.3%
SERVICE BRAKES78.4%
VISIBILITY/WIPER56.0%
ENGINE56.0%
STRUCTURE44.8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM33.6%

Complaints filed per year

014272017: 22018: 102019: 62020: 102021: 42022: 52023: 62024: 272025: 122026: 1 (partial year)1718192021222324272526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20172
201810
20196
202010
20214
20225
20236
202427
202512
2026 (year to date)1
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 2.4x those in 2020 to 2022 (45 against 19).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
19V27200004/04/2019VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHERMazda 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.
23V48700014/07/2023BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERAMazda 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.

Other Mazda Mazda3 model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 13 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.