NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 84 owner complaints for the 2017 Mazda3.
Recalled components: backover prevention and rearview camera and visibility. Most-described problem: backup camera problems (15 complaints, 18%). Most-reported area: electrical system (20 complaints, 24%).
Fewer complaints than a typical Mazda3 year
The 2017 drew 18 owner complaints in its first three years, against about 26 for a typical Mazda3 year (about 18 for a typical year since 2016).
Years to avoid: 2010 and 2012. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image.
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021CX-3 vehicles.
A defective windshield wiper relay may cause the windshield wipers to become inoperative, reducing the driver's visibility.
Risk: Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of crash.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Mazda3 vehicles.
NHTSA listing: MAZDA3. Mazda campaign 3219D.
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 Mazda3.
What owners report
Owners have filed 84 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Mazda3. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%.
Mazda3 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 2010 Mazda3 drew the most (83) and the 2017 drew 18.
Owner complaints
2017: 84 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Mazda3
Model year
Complaints
2010
686
2011
132
2012
226
2013
117
2014
138
2015
130
2016
104
2017
84
2018
110
2019
74
2020
32
2021
55
2022
24
2023
12
2024
12
2025
9
2026
1
Safety recalls
2017: 2 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Mazda3
Model year
Recalls
2010
3
2011
2
2012
1
2013
1
2014
4
2015
4
2016
6
2017
2
2018
4
2019
6
2020
2
2021
1
2022
0
2023
0
2024
3
2025
1
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 84 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Mazda3, the problems described most are backup camera problems (15) and infotainment or touchscreen failures (5). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2017 Mazda3 safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2017 Mazda3 earns 5 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2017 Mazda3?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2017 Mazda3.
How do I check if my Mazda3 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: MAZDA3.
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.