Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Mazda Mazda3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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 [redacted]
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 complaints in other Mazda3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2017 Mazda Mazda3?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the electrical system of the 2017 Mazda Mazda3, 24% of the model year's 84 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Mazda Mazda3 electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2017 Mazda Mazda3, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2017 Mazda Mazda3 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles, and 43% before 25,000 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.