2017 Mazda CX-5
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 148 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 14 CX-5 model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 5 involved a crash. 3 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Trailer hitchesNov 21, 2017
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2017 CX-5 vehicles equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness. This harness may be routed such that there is insufficient clearance between the harness and the exhaust muffler, allowing the wiring harness to contact the muffler.
Contact with the muffler may damage the trailer wiring harness, potentially resulting in the trailer lighting being inoperative, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reroute the trailer hitch harness away from the muffler, replacing the harness if it is damaged, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 20, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1617K.
Campaign 17V744000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
148 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, May 1, 2022
Connectivity Master Unit controlling the infotainment system has failed. Infotainment system continuously rebooting, freezing, change radio presets on its own and changing to home screen, and navigation starts speaking while listing to music.
Electrical system, Apr 23, 2022
Mazda has termed the issue Ghost Touch in their CX-3 models, which the NTSB issued a Technical Service Bulletin. It is dangerous as the infotainment system begins to switch between functions on its own, without driver or passenger input, and while the cars is in motion; changing radio stations, dialing phone numbers, turning the system display to Night Mode making it impossible to read while using the vehicle navigation system, exiting navigation maps altogether. The part number given to me by Mazda is K123611J0C. The dealer diagnosed and confirmed this issue in April 2022. They stated it is a common problem but it is not covered under warranty. Replacement costs quoted was over $1400, plus $180 to diagnose the problem.
Forward collision avoidance, Apr 4, 2022
The Mazda SCBS (Smart City Brake Support) system malfunctioned in my vehicle. This system can inadvertently apply the brake if the system malfunction. It was told to me by the dealership that it was a known issue with the CX5s around this model year and I really think it should be a recall. Not having this safety-critical system working properly because of a manufacturer defect isn't a great thing to put on the traveling public. Not having this system could cause people to become complacent expecting the system to work properly and stop them from rear-ending another vehicle. The warning light randomly came on one day, and would also come on from time to time which the manufacturer states as "normal". I had the system inspected by Mazda and they told me "This is a common issue that we have seen frequently." I had to pay out of pocket $800 to get this safety-critical system repaired that really should be covered by the manufacturer due to a malfunction in their system.
Electrical system, Mar 2, 2022
The Mazda connect touch screen in the center display doesn't always accept touch commands properly and regularly operates by itself (ghost touch) while in drive.
Other or unspecified, Feb 20, 2022
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Answer: Infotainment screen goes haywire changing music stations, turning on/off lights, making phone calls while the car is driving in motion. The problem happened multiple times and it can happen anytime. Yes, it is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Answer: Puts the driver and other cars at risk because driver gets freaked out by changing stations, turning on/off lights, calls being made, etc. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Answer: Not yet. I plan to take to the dealer hope there is a recall for this issue. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Answer: No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Answer: No warning signals, messages or other indicators.
Structure, Feb 11, 2022
The vehicle has a poor quality of paint which chips quite easily upon the slightest impact by road debris. I purchased this SUV brand new in Soul Red color, newly launched for 2017, and soon discovered that the paint was chipping away in various spots exposing the clear coat. This started happening immediately after buying the car and continues to this day at 20,000 miles. Every time we would go on a highway trip (not off-roading), the paint would chip in new spots (hood, fenders etc.) upon the slightest impact with small, everyday highway debris. The dealer dismissed it and stated that this is “normal”, as if I was new to driving and maintaining cars. I have always kept the car clean, washed, and waxed so I was terribly disappointed when this started happening. It has reduced the resale value of the car without a doubt, and will certainly initiate body corrosion in places where the paint has chipped. I have been forced to use paint touch-up in different spots just to maintain the cosmetic look and stop corrosion.
Structure, Feb 11, 2022
The underside frame/carriage of the vehicle developed corrosion in just the first three years. Granted it is surface corrosion, and not a perforation, still it is not something that a customer expects in the first 3-5 years of owning a vehicle. This indicates a low level of anti-corrosion treatment to the metallic parts of the undercarriage.
Forward collision avoidance, Lane departure, Feb 11, 2022
The Adaptive Cruise Control system (collectively including the Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Smart city brake support etc.) on this SUV stops working abruptly and randomly while the car is in operation on the road. This is a major safety concern as it can crash into a leading vehicle in absence of adaptive cruise capabilities. The system generally resets or starts working again after a 5-10 minutes, but there is no rhyme or reason why it stopped working or when it would start again. It has happened in cloudy, harsh cold weather, and also on a bright, warm sunny day. This makes the ACC unreliable. The dealer could not reproduce the malfunction, as generally the car is stationary in the workshop or isn’t driven for a long enough time while testing.
Service brakes, Feb 11, 2022
The brake pads on this vehicle wear out prematurely, despite not using them aggressively. All four brake pads on the SUV wore out in less than the first 16,000 miles (first 3 years) and had to be replaced. The braking has also aways been “soft” and the car takes longer to come to a full-stop in the event urgent braking has to be done in traffic. The rotors have corroded prematurely too, despite keeping the car very clean and dry as a matter of habit. The dealer dismissed this issue stating the brakes were fine, as if this was the first car I was driving. I do not engage in hard stops, or perform sudden, jerky, brake applications and yet the brake pads wore out to almost nothing. All the other cars that I’ve owned historically had their brake pads last for 6-8 years of normal driving while this car wore them down in just 3 years. Premature brake pad wear can be a huge safety issue since an unsuspecting driver may not be aware of it and can result in an accident on the road from the vehicle not being able to come to a full stop in time.
Electrical system, Feb 11, 2022
The car battery does not get fully charged even after long trips and continuous use of the vehicle. It has been so ever since the vehicle was purchased brand new and maintained meticulously with all service performed on-time at the dealership. Even after long trips exceeding 350 miles, the battery would charge only up to 50% (12.2 volts) and never to 100% (12.7 volts). Thereafter it would quickly discharge to Low (<11.9 volts) if a few shorter trips were made. Upon bringing this to the dealer’s attention while the car was still under warranty, they ran a battery and alternator test and quickly dismissed the issue saying that both the battery and alternator were working fine. Nevertheless, in just two years the OEM battery failed from constantly being in a state of low charge, despite using the vehicle regularly for long trips. Because the dealer refused to honor the warranty, I had to replace with a new battery at my own cost. Now the new battery doesn’t charge beyond 50% (12.2v) either, and I have to routinely charge it every few days to full (12.7v) with an external battery charger just so the battery doesn’t die and either gets me stranded on the road (safety issue for myself and others) or damages computers/other electrical components (reliability and repair issue).
Engine, Dec 20, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to her daughter's residence. The contact then towed the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.
Other or unspecified, Dec 20, 2021
The car display turns on and off, creating distraction and inability to control car setting, including safety capabilities. This display was replace by an authorized dealer on August 2020 but in September 2021 the display start given the same issues that concern my safety and the safety of my family.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 14, 2021
One day last month, my front winsheild wipers were going very slowly when I turned them on the Auto setting (maybe 1/4 of normal speed, which is not correct). If I switched it to Lo or Hi they worked fine. A couple of days later the wipers always wiped in the very slow mode (1/4 of the speed of normal wipers), then after a 1/2 hour of driving they stopped altogether. It was raining quite hard at the time and I could not see through the winsheild, so I had to pull over anytime there was someone behind me and roll down the windows so I could see. I had my 11 year old son in the car with me and was terrified we could have been hurt or I could have run into someone or another vehicle because I could not see. I was close enough to limp along slowly and drove to the nearest Mazda dealer. They ended up replacing my vehicle's front BCM (body control module) which cost me $550 and that has fixed the issue. This is the same issue to the Mazda 3's that were recalled recently.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 13, 2021
Windshield wiper stopped working all of a sudden.
Electrical system, Aug 20, 2021
The Mazda Connect touch screen in the center display doesn't always accept touch commands properly and regularly operates by itself (ghost touch) while in drive.
Service brakes, Aug 17, 2021
Drivers side emergency brake drags just enough to prematurely wear inner brake pad down to the metal. 60,000 miles on car. All other pads are at 50% wear.
Other or unspecified, Jul 20, 2021
I am experiencing a Ghost Touch issue on my Infotainment system. There has been a recall for Maxda 3 but not for Maxda CX5. On the website I am seeing several complaints about Ghost touch issue where the screen randomly clicks buttons and changes by itself. My warranty ended on Oct 2020 so Mazda would not help resolve this issue as part of recall or warranty. My mileage is still under 30K miles. Mazda service department reviewed it and accepted that it is a manufacturer issues on the touch screen. I am hoping that if there are enough complaints on Mazda CX5, you can help the customers here.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 16, 2021
The front wipers stopped working. Fuse is ok. No power to wiper motor. Washer still works. Rear wiper works.
Other or unspecified, May 23, 2021
The entertainment display starts going haywire when the car is stopped. Changes channels on and inputs totally randomly. Very dangerous when I start driving. Cuts off phone calls etc.This happens everyday since I purchased the vehicle about six months ago.
Visibility/wiper, May 3, 2021
MY SUNROOF JUST EXPLODED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I HAVE A DASH CAM WHICH CAPTURED ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IMPACTING THE GLASS. IT JUST BURST'.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 13, 2021
DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY 65MPH WITH JUST UNDER A QUARTER TANK OF GAS AND ENGINE CUT OFF ON ITS OWN. MY SON WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT WAS A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY. I FEEL THAT THE FUEL PUMP IS DEFECTIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. HAD VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY TOWED TO CLOSEST DEALER. I WAS CHARGED A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. AGAIN, I FEEL IT IS A WEAK DESIGN OF THE FUEL PUMP AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 18, 2021
THE CAR STALLED WHILE IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY WITH 56 MILES LEFT IN THE GAS TANK. THIS CAUSED A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION DUE TO THE FACT THAT I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL, AS THE TRAFFIC WAS SPEEDING PAST. I HAD TO COAST THROUGH TRAFFIC TO THE SAFETY OF THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. ONCE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP, IT WOULDN'T RESTART AND IT SEEMED AS IF IT NEVER ACTUALLY STOPPED TRYING TO RESTART. I NOTICED A FEW THINGS DURING THIS SITUATION. 1. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 2. ALL THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS APPEARED TO COME ON 3. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND HOLD BUTTON FOR CITY PARKING BRAKE WERE FLASHING AT THE CENTER COUNSEL 4. THE DASHBOARD WARNINGS ROTATED BETWEEN, CITY PARKING BRAKE, PARKING BRAKE, CRUISE SYSTEM DISABLED 5. THE BATTERY FINALLY DIED AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF THIS HAPPENING MY FAMILY AND I WERE BROUGHT TO SAFETY BY A STATE TROOPER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A GAS STATION. WE FILLED THE GAS TANK, JUMPED THE CAR AND IT HAS NOT HAD THE ISSUE SINCE. UNFORTUNATELY THE REAR LIFT GATE HAS ONLY WORKED ONE TIME AFTER THE EVENT BUT I AM NOT SURE WHAT IS GOING ON THERE. I HAD THIS SAME ISSUE HAPPEN ONCE IN 2019, AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. I TOOK IT TO A MAZDA DEALER AND THEY SAID IT MAY HAVE BEEN BAD GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE ISSUE SEEMS TO MATCH A SIMILAR ISSUE MENTIONED IN RECALL 3719F.
Electrical system, Back over prevention, Mar 1, 2021
THE INFOTAINMENT DISPLAY WILL REBOOT CONTINUOUSLY, IN WEATHER BELOW 60 DEGREES, AND WILL NOT STABILIZE UNTIL THE CAR IS WARMED. DURING THIS TIME YOU ARE UNABLE TO ACCESS ANY OF THE FEATURES. THIS CAN TAKE 20 MINUTES OR MORE. IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR ABOUT A YEAR, AND OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH NO RESOLUTION OR EXPLANATION.
Engine, Feb 8, 2021
LOSS OF POWER TO A COMPLETE SHUTDOWN WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 60-70MPH WITH FUEL TANK READING 30 MILES TO EMPTY. TOW WAS NECESSARY TO DEALERSHIP. REPLACED FUEL PUMP. 2ND OCCURRENCE WITH 60 MILES TO EMPTY. BROKE DOWN AGAIN WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TOWED A SECOND TIME TO DEALERSHIP. REPLACE HIGH/LOW FUEL PUMP. WAS INSTRUCTED NOT TO OPERATE VEHICLE BELOW 1/4 TANK OF FUEL. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH DIFFICULTY MOVING TO A SAFE AREA. SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN OR FUEL PUMP ISSUE.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 18, 2021
WITHOUT ANY WARNING, WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED. THANKFULLY, ON BOTH OCCASIONS, I WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. COINCIDENTALLY, I ALSO OWN A 2018 MAZDA CX-5 AND IN OCTOBER OF 2019, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (3719F, NHTSA #19V-497) FOR THE 2018 CAR. THE DESCRIPTION IN THE RECALL SOUNDS LIKE THE EXACT ISSUE I HAVE FACED WITH MY 2017 MAZDA YET THERE IS NO RECALL AS OF NOW ON MY 2017.