2017 Mazda CX-5 Problems & Complaints

Better than average45% fewer complaints than a typical year of the CX-5 at the same age

Owners have filed 150 complaints about the 2017 Mazda CX-5 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 45% fewer than a typical CX-5 model year at the same age, making the 2017 one of the better CX-5 years. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (44 complaints, typically around 5,000 miles). One recall covers this model year.

150complaints
1recalls
5crashes
0fires
3injuries
0deaths

Most common 2017 Mazda CX-5 problems

  • Electrical system~5,000 miles
    4429%
  • Other / not specified~10,000 miles
    3523%
  • Engine & cooling~66,000 miles
    1711%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~40,000 miles
    1611%
  • Brakes~7,000 miles
    149%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~30,000 miles
    139%
  • Body & structure~19,000 miles
    128%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~19,000 miles
    117%
  • Driver assistance~60,000 miles
    107%
  • Speed control & acceleration~7,000 miles
    75%
  • Air bags~24,000 miles
    43%
  • Seats~15,000 miles
    32%
  • Stability & traction control~6,000 miles
    21%
  • Seat belts
    21%
  • Suspension~43,000 miles
    11%
  • Lights~58,000 miles
    11%
  • Wheels & tires
    11%
  • Equipment & accessories~50,000 miles
    11%

Share of the 150 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Mazda CX-5 complaints by model year

201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024202520261943771335101503512711071486566452816
Owner complaints per model year, Mazda CX-5. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best CX-5 years: 2015, 2020, 2017. Years to avoid: 2016, 2014, 2018. Compare all years →

2017 Mazda CX-5 recalls (1)

Trailer hitches

NHTSA recall 17V-744 · Nov 21, 2017 · 1,076 vehicles

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.

Remedy: 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.

What 2017 Mazda CX-5 owners say

Electrical system all 44 →

Blind spot monitoring system warning appears on dashboard of vehicle after driving for about 50-60 miles. This occurs only when I drive >50-60 miles in one trip without shutting off my vehicle. Speed does not matter. My sensors will not work until I turn off my car and turn it back on. This started as soon as I purchased my vehicle in July 2020. 1 previous owner (lease) before I purchased the vehicle. No prior accidents. Got the vehicle at ~30,000 miles. In January 2021, I drifted off the freeway and hit a tree going 35 mph during a snow storm. It was only myself (driver) and a passenger in the front seat at the time of the incident. Both were wearing seatbelts. The seat belts locked up, but airbags never deployed for myself or the adult passenger in the front seat. …

Jan 2021 · crash · 1 injury

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. …

May 2017

Engine & cooling

On February 14, 2023 around 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. (EST), I drove to the local WAWA. Upon entering the driveway of WAWA at a very low speed and depressing the brake the car failed to come to a complete stop. I pressed down on the brake as hard as I good, but the car did not come to a stop until hitting the security/safety bollard in front of the WAWA store. I did not get injured and no one else was injured. The front end of my car sustained over $4000 worth of damage. The insurance company repaired by car. I was asked by the insurance company what caused the front end damage. As I played the accident over and over in my head, I just could not see what I did wrong. My foot was on the brake. Also, I entered the entrance of WAWA at a very slow/low speed. After a few weeks I took the car to the Mazda dealer to let them know the car accelerates and engine revs. …

Feb 2023 · crash

The contact owns a 2017 Mazda CX-5. While driving the vehicle, the engine overheat warning suddenly illuminated on the dashboard cluster panel. The contact pulled over immediately, restarted the engine, and coasted the vehicle to a local, independent mechanic shop. The independent mechanic diagnosed the issue as a blown head gasket. For a secondary inspection, the vehicle was transported to an authorized Mazda dealership. Dealership technicians determined that the engine cylinder was actually cracked and recommended a full engine replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.

92,000 miles · May 2026

Fuel & propulsion system

On February 14, 2023 around 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. (EST), I drove to the local WAWA. Upon entering the driveway of WAWA at a very low speed and depressing the brake the car failed to come to a complete stop. I pressed down on the brake as hard as I good, but the car did not come to a stop until hitting the security/safety bollard in front of the WAWA store. I did not get injured and no one else was injured. The front end of my car sustained over $4000 worth of damage. The insurance company repaired by car. I was asked by the insurance company what caused the front end damage. As I played the accident over and over in my head, I just could not see what I did wrong. My foot was on the brake. Also, I entered the entrance of WAWA at a very slow/low speed. After a few weeks I took the car to the Mazda dealer to let them know the car accelerates and engine revs. …

Feb 2023 · crash

The contact owns a 2017 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle jerked and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The dealer retrieved DTC code: P0192 with a faulty fuel pump. The contact added fuel, and the vehicle operated as designed. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

80,000 miles · Jul 2023

2017 Mazda CX-5 engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.5L 4-cyl6-speed automaticFWD24 / 31 / 27
2.5L 4-cyl6-speed automatic4WD23 / 29 / 26

EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Mazda CX-5 a good car?

Based on 150 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 CX-5 rates better than average: 45% fewer complaints than a typical year of the CX-5 at the same age. It is one of the best CX-5 years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2017 Mazda CX-5?

The electrical system — 44 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (17) and fuel & propulsion system (16).

How many recalls does the 2017 Mazda CX-5 have?

There is 1 recall for the 2017 Mazda CX-5, the most recent from November 21, 2017 (trailer hitches). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Mazda CX-5?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2015, 2020 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2016, 2014 and 2018. See the full Mazda CX-5 years comparison.

At what mileage do 2017 Mazda CX-5 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 19,000 miles; 80% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.