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: other or unspecified
27 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Jul 25, 2025
The original OEM radio in my Mazda has been experiencing persistent ghost touch issues, making it incredibly frustrating to use. The screen often registers inputs without me touching it, leading to random changes in volume, station selections, and menu navigation. As a result, I find myself unable to rely on my radio for music or navigation, which significantly detracts from my driving experience. I’m considering possible solutions, but for now, it's an inconvenience that I can't overlook.
Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2025
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -> Infotainment display has "ghost touch" issue. Infotainment starts acting up on its own without driver input. It changes radio station automatically, places a call randomly, disconnects call randomly. This is caused by the touchscreen digitizer, the display lens of poor quality which leads to webbing or cracking on the inside. This leads to loss of touch and ghost touch issue 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -> It is distracting to the driver when the radio station is switch automatically. It sometimes freaks me out. When the infotainment places call to someone back to back, I need to keep disconnecting the call manually. It creates an unsafe environment for the driver. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -> Yes, the issue is acknowledged by the dealer, but refused to fix it. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? -> No. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? -> No. There is no warning. It appeared 2 years ago with mild discolored screen, then it lead to webbing/cracks on the inside
Other or unspecified, Jul 8, 2025
The screen that displays the backup camera image has an issue that makes it difficult to see the backup camera feed clearly. The screen appeared like this unexpectedly when I returned to my car after a work day. The only warning was a malfunction of the screen's touch function for the last several months.
Other or unspecified, Jun 13, 2025
The infotainment screen in my Mazda 3 will act as if buttons are being pressed without buttons actually being pressed. It a distraction and unsafe. I've noticed that other Mazdas had issues with this as well and were given extended warranties to fix this problem. Why not the 2017 Mazda 3? I talked to a mechanic about fixing it and it's very expensive yet it's a widespread Mazda problem. Someone is going to crash because of this.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Jun 5, 2025, crash
I made a right turn onto a gravel driveway that has a slight incline. My speed was less than 10 mph. At the top of the incline I attempted to make a U turn so I could park the car. Midway through the U turn the car's acceleration increased rapidly to high speed without my stepping on the accelerator. I pressed the brake 3 times. 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. The front tire was spinning at a rapid rate when I exited the vehicle. Extraction of the vehicle was not accomplished for 2 weeks while experts determined how best to accomplish the extraction. The car insurance company and 2 towing businesses declared the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle is with the towing company per car insurance company request. I don't know if it has been inspected. I did not see any warning lights. I was treated at the hospital for a slight concussion and significant head and facial bruising and lacerations as well as a wrist burn likely caused by air bag deployment.
Other or unspecified, Jun 4, 2025
The vehicle's touch screen for radio/nav/vehicle settings has delaminated which causes the display to detect "touches" that are a result of the delamination. This can result in navigation exiting, radio changing audio levels, and a myriad of other things like turning on/off vehicle safety settings. This was a known issue on the previous models and a short web-search has found that many others with this generation mazda has the same issue.
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.
Other or unspecified, Jan 23, 2025
My 2017 Mazda Mazda3 Sport is affected by a problem widely known as "ghost touch" by owners of this vehicle. This issue causes the touch screen to behave erratically and activate random functions, which is extremely distracting while driving. Mazda has a recall on a similar issue for the 2014-2016 Mazda3, but it refuses to fix this obviously widespread issue for the 2017 and later models.
Other or unspecified, Dec 25, 2024
The touchscreen for the infotainment area is ghost touching and changing information. This turn off information like lane change assist changes the volume of the blinker as well as randomly calls people. This is highly disruptive and distracting while driving. There has been many instances when I have had to pull off the road to try to avoid major issues because of this. When it is selecting things it’s self I am not able to use the touch screen at all. It is also selecting things when I am driving over 5mph when the screen is not supposed to be engaged at all.
Other or unspecified, Oct 5, 2024
I am experiencing an issue with the infotainment system in my vehicle where it behaves erratically and intermittently without any input from me. Radio Stations Change Automatically: The system switches between radio stations on its own, even when I haven’t touched the controls. Unwanted Phone Calls: The system will sometimes dial random contacts from my phone without any command or input from me. This has led to accidental calls. Dropped Calls: When I’m on a phone call via the car's Bluetooth connection, the system frequently drops the call or switches to a different function, like the radio or media player, cutting off the conversation. Erratic Behavior During Media Playback: Occasionally, the system will change media sources (e.g., switching from Bluetooth audio to the radio) or pause/unpause media randomly. These issues are not tied to any specific driving conditions or user actions. It seems like the infotainment system has "a mind of its own" and is functioning independently, which creates safety concerns, especially when I'm driving.
Other or unspecified, Sep 7, 2024
I have a Mazda 2017 and it has a problem with Connect Touch Screen at the Central Display unit is Ghosting. I saw the recall was issued for 2014-2016 but want to let you know the 2017 is also having the same issue. This is my daughters can and when she was driving from school it started changing the screen and calling some through the phone etc.
Other or unspecified, Aug 25, 2024
The mazda infotainment screen makes the entire system nearly unusable as it can cause music stations to skip around back and forth, raise and lower the volume; make unintended phone calls, disconnect phone calls and create all kinds of havoc. It will cost $2000.00 for an authorize mazda dealer to replace and upgrade the firmware and screen. Their was a recall for the same issues for the 2016 year but not for the 2017.
Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2024
The infotainment center screen has what is deemed a 'ghost screen' problem automatically raising/lowering the volume of music, changing radio stations without my guidance, adding and subtracting radio stations, a screen change from the Navigation screen to the Music/Phone screen and auto dialing people in the bluetooth cell phone list. This is a well known defect in throughout the Mazda community with Mazda extending the warantee on models prior to 2016 but not for models plagued with this problem post 2016.
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
Other or unspecified, Jun 27, 2024
The infotainment touchscreen has a ghost touch issue which causes settings to be randomly changed when the car is moving less than 5 miles per hour. This has a high probability of creating unsafe conditions as it can cause distracted drivers in stop-and-go or other slow moving traffic scenarios. Mazda is fully aware of its defective touch screens but has only addressed it with models from 2014-2016. The component has not been inspected and there were no warnings before this issue started.
Other or unspecified, Jun 3, 2024
The Manufacturer Recall Number6023G, NHTSA Recall Number23V-487, has not been performed by the dealer. The dealer states that they do not have a remedy. Not only have I had the problem of flickering and distortion, but the back-up camera often does not operate at all.
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.
Other or unspecified, May 4, 2024
There has been an open recall on the camera on my Mazda3 for a full year with no approved fix from Mazda. Absurd. My rear camera no longer works after this delay.
Other or unspecified, Apr 22, 2024
Touch screen has a separation issue between the touch screen and LCD screen causing a blurry/distorted image. Mazda is aware of the issue on the couple years prior to this model year and has issued an extended warranty for those model years. But for whatever reason, Mazda is ignoring the same issue on the last couple years of this generation car even though they are having the exact same issue. Would cost hundreds of dollar to get fixed on my end. My car is available for inspection if required. When this issue happens, it causes the screen to separate/bubble from the outer touch screen portion which results in an almost unreadable image on the backup camera screen causing a safety issue. Like I said, Mazda is aware of this issue on previous model years and has issued fixes. But for my model year, they just ignore it. No warning or anything appeared when this occurred.
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)
Other or unspecified, Back over prevention, Oct 24, 2023
My car has a recall on the backup camera. Manufacturer Recall Number6023G NHTSA Recall Number23V-487 The recall issued in July. But I'm being told they cannot fix it. And as I'm trying to sell my car, I'm being told by buyers that the car has less value because of the unrepaired recall.
Other or unspecified, Oct 15, 2023
Info Center Ghosting - upon startup, continually loops / reloads, disables backup camera, navigation, randomly scans and changes channels.
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.
Other or unspecified, Mar 14, 2023
The infotainment center changes screens and radio stations when stopped randomly. Doesn't allow driver/passenger to take over controls. This can be very distracting because it continues after the car goes into motoin.
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!