2017 Mazda MAZDA3
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 83 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 22 MAZDA3 model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 6 involved a crash. 1 person was injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraJul 14, 2023
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.
A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
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.
Campaign 23V487000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, windshield wiper/washerApr 4, 2019
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.
Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of crash.
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.
Campaign 19V272000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
20 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Jul 28, 2025
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.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 26, 2025
Malfunctioning on and off on the display screen. My battery went dead after 11 months. Cause? It started over a year ago, but I called Mazda and they said there were no recalls at that time. Are there any now to date? Thank you for your time.
Electrical system, Dec 22, 2024
The infotainment system is malfunctioning. It constantly restarts/reboots while I am driving and it is highly distracting. I contacted Mazda USA about this, but they responded by saying there are not active recalls for this car and the car isn't under warranty. I took it to a dealership and they quoted me $1450 for repairs. However, a problem such as this should not be occuring for a car that isn't too old. It is highly distracting and it is endagering me while I am driving, putting my and drivers on the roads' safety at risk. Mazda should fix this issue and pay for all repairs in full.
Electrical system, Dec 19, 2024
My rear camera is not centered when I bought my car as new in 2017. I reported the issue. But they told me it is normal. I got a letter from Mazda in 2022 about the rear camera recall. Then I asked them to do the recall. They told me they don't have parts. Recently, the video output is getting worse. It is distorted, flickering and zoomed out. I asked them again on 2024. They told the recall is not even started. Manufacturer Recall Number 6023G NHTSA Recall Number 23V-487 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available
Electrical system, Nov 5, 2024
Screen has delamination causing it to have a "ghost touch" it will randomly change stations, change volume, try to make calls and click random buttons. It does all this without having been touched, this has occurred multiple times while driving causing a distraction that could eventually result in a wreck.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2024
My radio in my 2017 Mazda3 hatchback randomly presses buttons with no input from the user. This is a known issue and can cause safety issues. Especially if the volume decides to turn itself up and cause hearing issues. It's almost impossible to make hands free phone calls if it doesn't work either
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 20, 2024
My Infotainment system is experiencing the “ghost touch” and selecting all these options on its own while driving, putting a great risk on myself and passengers as any selection can be made and distract the driver. The screen is supposed to become disabled as a safety feature when driving but with this issue it is randomly making different commands that are extremely distracting especially during traffic hour times. The problem has been confirmed and Mazda refuses to issue a recall or do anything at all to fix this manufacturer error. There was no other warning lamps it just started glitching one day and has not stopped since for about half a year now. There are hundreds of other people I have read who are also experiencing the same issue and still Mazda refuses to acknowledge its faulty system and put so many lives at risk.
Electrical system, May 3, 2024
When stopped at a light or parked, the Mazda touchscreen continually has “ghost” touches which will randomly select on screen items repeatedly and consistently similar to the issue that Mazda issued a recall for its 2014-2016 models. The touchscreen will make noises when this happens distracting me from focusing on the road. This issue has not been confirmed by the dealer for my specific car, but is available to be inspected. There is no warning when this failure happens and seems to be random. This first started happening 3 or so months ago
Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Back over prevention, Apr 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving at various speeds in the rain or in the snow, the instrument cluster, the instrument panel, and the infotainment system became inoperable, causing the Forward Sensing Camera system to become inoperable. Additionally, the contact stated that the rearview camera was inoperable while reversing in the rain or in the snow. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while operating the vehicle in inclement weather. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 29, 2024
The car was experiencing the Mazda Ghost Touch in which the navigation/infotainment screen randomly pushes buttons resulting in distracted driving. Mazda has authorized repairs for 2014-2016 models, but refuses to fix later models. For reference, see [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Electrical system, Feb 8, 2024
The rearview camera is flickering and sometimes does not work at all. The NTSA recall 23V-487 (manufacturer number 6023G) is issued for that problem back in July 2023. However as of today, 7 months later, the recall is not implemented and the dealer refuses to fix the issue saying that the recall is still not incomplete. This is safety hazard which continues for 7 months and should be fixed ASAP.
Electrical system, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 5, 2023
VEHICLES CENTER CONSOLE DISPLAY SCREEN SUFFERS FROM GHOST TOUCHES. THE DISPLAY REGISTERS INPUTS FROM THE TOUCHSCREEN WITH NO ONE TOUCHING THE DISPLAY THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT IS ON THE 14-16 VERSIONS OF THIS VEHICLE. THE DISPLAY SELF NAVIGATES CAUSING A SUBSTANTIAL DISTRACTION AND INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF A CRASH. AS WELL ON A FEW INSTANCES SELF NAVIGATES THROUGH THE MENU AND SOMETIMES ENABLES OR DIABLES ADAS SYSTEM FEATURES COLLISION PREVENTION ETC.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 1, 2023
The infotainment screen cracked on its own due to weather or humidity. The infotainment then proceeded to have ghost issues where it would change randomly. These seems like an electrical hazard. There are numerous complaints in forums but on 2014-2016 were recalled when other years have the same issue.
Electrical system, Back over prevention, Nov 18, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the main display screen malfunctioned, and the back-up camera failed to display an image. Additionally, the display provided erroneous warnings included the low tire pressure information. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure and indicated that the display interface was faulty and needed to the replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 10, 2022
I was stopped at a light, and the infotainment system began changing options on its own. It caused me to become worried and distracted on the problem at hand. Mazda is aware if this issue with the system but is refusing to do anything to fix it. Please help!
Electrical system, Sep 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while depressing the brake pedal, the instrument panel display was intermittently inoperable. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the instrument panel to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 7, 2021
HORN FAILED INTERMITTENTLY STARTING AFTER ODOMETER HIT 36000 MILES AND WHEN BROUGHT IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE IT PASSED ALL CHECKS; MAY 2020 WHILE DRIVING WHEN STEERING WHEEL HORN WAS PRESSED THE HORN SORT OF 'WHINED' IN AUGUST, WHILE DRIVING WHEN HORN WAS PRESSED IT WOULD WHINE AND DONE IT SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING BURNING; NOW, IF YOU PRESS HORN IT DOESN'T WORK BUT IT SMELLS LIKE LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING LIKE A CIGARETTE SMOLDERING( THERE IS CLEARLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH EUTH THE STEERING OR ELECTRICAL RELAY SOMETIMES . MAZDA WON'T ASSIST WITH THIS ISSUE SAYING NOTHING IS WRONG - THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE CAUSE WITHOUT A HORN A CAR WILL NOT PASS A SAFETY INSPECTION.
Electrical system, Feb 21, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATE THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ROYAL MOORE MAZDA 1380 SE RIVER RD, HILLSBORO, OR 97123 (503) 648-1153, HOWEVER THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED NOR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.
Electrical system, May 29, 2018
WHEN STARTING THE CAR SMART CITY BRAKE AMBER WARNING LIGHT AND SMART CITY AMBER FAULT LIGHT WILL SOMETIMES APPEAR ON THE DASH AFTER CAR SITS IN HOT SUN AND REMAIN ON AFTER CAR IS STARTED AND IS BEING DRIVEN. THE WARNING LIGHTS MAY OR MAY NOT DISAPPEAR WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED WAS SOON AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR MAY 25, 2017. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND AFTER INVESTIGATING REPLACED THE FORWARD SENSING CAMERA (FSC) AND PERFORMED A DYNAMIC AIMING PROCEDURE SYSTEM OPERATION. NO FURTHER SIMILAR PROBLEM WAS ENCOUNTERED UNTIL MAY, 2018. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS AGAIN NOTIFIED OF THE REPEAT PROBLEM. AFTER AGAIN INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED ME "....THE FSC CANNOT OPERATE NORMALLY DUE TO HIGH TEMPERATURES, THE SYSTEM FUNCTIONS RELATED TO THE FSC ARE TEMPORARILY STOPPED AND THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE DISPLAYED. HOWEVER, THIS DOES NOT A INDICATE A MALFUNCTION." TSB15-006/17 (NHTSA ID:101234390) WAS CITED. ADDITIONAL WRITTEN INFORMATION FROM MAZDA WAS ALSO SUPPLIED BY THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHICH STATED "THE WARNING LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF WHEN THE FSC COOLS DOWN BY TURNING ON THE AIR CONDITIONER OR PARKING IN THE SHADE" ALL OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION INDICATES THE SYSTEM FUNCTIONS RELATED TO THE FSC ARE TEMPORARILY STOPPED BUT THERE IS NO MALFUNCTION AND THE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE COOLED DOWN. THIS MAYBE TRUE BUT IS IT ALWAYS TRUE OR IS IT A SAFETY HAZARD MALFUNCTION DUE TO FAILURE OF THE FSC FOR A REASON OTHER THAN A HEAT. COPIES OF THE REPAIR INVOICES CAN BE MAILED TO YOU IF NEEDED.
Electrical system, Engine, May 3, 2018
MAKING A RIGHT TURN FROM A STOP ONTO A FREEWAY SIDE STREET. IT IS A 50 MPH ZONE. ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THE TURN ON LIGHT THROTTLE AT ABOUT 10 MPH, I GIVE IT THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENS. THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING BUT WILL NOT ACCELERATE. I LET OFF THE THROTTLE COMPLETELY THAN REAPPLY IT. NOW IT ACCELERATES. GAS TANK IS SLIGHTLY OVER 1/4 FULL. THIS HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPORTED TO MAZDA AS IT HAS OCCURRED A FEW TIMES BEFORE. THEY HAD INSTALLED A RECORDING DEVICE IN THE CAR FOR A WHOLE MONTH BACK IN JANUARY THIS YEAR. TODAY WAS THE FIRST TIME SINCE BEFORE THE BLACK BOX THAT THIS PROBLEM CAME BACK. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2017.