NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 150 owner complaints for the 2017 Mazda CX-5.
Recalled components: trailer hitch. Most-described problem: stalling or shutting off (14 complaints, 9%). Most-reported area: electrical system (44 complaints, 29%).
One of the best CX-5 years by owner complaints
The 2017 drew 31 owner complaints in its first three years, against 42 for a typical CX-5 year since 2016. No open NHTSA investigation names it, and it has no recall telling owners not to drive or to park outside.
Years to avoid: 2014 and 2016; best years: 2017 and 2022. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
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.
Risk: 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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2017 CX-5 vehicles equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2017 Mazda CX-5.
What owners report
Owners have filed 150 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 CX-5. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Median 10,300 miles at failure, from 15 reports with mileage
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Mazda CX-5 recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2017 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2016 CX-5 drew the most (187) and the 2017 drew 31.
Owner complaints
2017: 150 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Mazda CX-5
Model year
Complaints
2013
194
2014
377
2015
133
2016
512
2017
150
2018
356
2019
273
2020
110
2021
150
2022
65
2023
67
2024
47
2025
29
2026
19
Safety recalls
2017: 1 recallTap or drag across the chart for other years.
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Safety recalls by model year, Mazda CX-5
Model year
Recalls
2013
1
2014
3
2015
3
2016
4
2017
1
2018
3
2019
2
2020
0
2021
0
2022
0
2023
0
2024
0
2025
0
2026
0
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 150 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Mazda CX-5, the problems described most are stalling or shutting off (14), infotainment or touchscreen failures (11), and backup camera problems (11). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2017 Mazda CX-5 safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2017 Mazda CX-5 earns 4 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2017 Mazda CX-5?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2017 Mazda CX-5.
How do I check if my CX-5 has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Mazda dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Nov 12, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Nov 11, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: CX-5.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.