ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING; TRAILER HITCHES
2017 Mazda CX-5
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 148 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Mazda CX-5, most frequently naming the electrical, driver assistance and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 570 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2020 | 1 | 38 |
| Aug 2020 | 3 | 41 |
| Oct 2020 | 2 | 43 |
| Nov 2020 | 2 | 45 |
| Dec 2020 | 2 | 47 |
| Jan 2021 | 2 | 49 |
| Feb 2021 | 1 | 50 |
| Mar 2021 | 2 | 52 |
| Apr 2021 | 1 | 53 |
| May 2021 | 2 | 55 |
| Jun 2021 | 1 | 56 |
| Jul 2021 | 1 | 57 |
| Aug 2021 | 2 | 59 |
| Oct 2021 | 2 | 61 |
| Dec 2021 | 2 | 63 |
| Feb 2022 | 6 | 69 |
| Mar 2022 | 1 | 70 |
| Apr 2022 | 2 | 72 |
| May 2022 | 2 | 74 |
| Jun 2022 | 1 | 75 |
| Jul 2022 | 1 | 76 |
| Aug 2022 | 1 | 77 |
| Sep 2022 | 1 | 78 |
| Oct 2022 | 1 | 79 |
| Nov 2022 | 2 | 81 |
| Dec 2022 | 1 | 82 |
| Jan 2023 | 1 | 83 |
| Feb 2023 | 2 | 85 |
| Mar 2023 | 1 | 86 |
| Apr 2023 | 3 | 89 |
| May 2023 | 2 | 91 |
| Jun 2023 | 1 | 92 |
| Jul 2023 | 4 | 96 |
| Aug 2023 | 2 | 98 |
| Sep 2023 | 2 | 100 |
| Oct 2023 | 1 | 101 |
| Nov 2023 | 2 | 103 |
| Dec 2023 | 2 | 105 |
| Jan 2024 | 2 | 107 |
| Mar 2024 | 1 | 108 |
| Apr 2024 | 4 | 112 |
| May 2024 | 2 | 114 |
| Jun 2024 | 1 | 115 |
| Jul 2024 | 1 | 116 |
| Sep 2024 | 2 | 118 |
| Oct 2024 | 2 | 120 |
| Dec 2024 | 1 | 121 |
| Feb 2025 | 3 | 124 |
| Mar 2025 | 2 | 126 |
| May 2025 | 2 | 128 |
| Jun 2025 | 1 | 129 |
| Jul 2025 | 2 | 131 |
| Sep 2025 | 3 | 134 |
| Oct 2025 | 2 | 136 |
| Nov 2025 | 2 | 138 |
| Dec 2025 | 2 | 140 |
| Jan 2026 | 1 | 141 |
| Mar 2026 | 2 | 143 |
| May 2026 | 3 | 146 |
| Jun 2026 | 2 | 148 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical4529.0%
- Driver assistance1811.6%
- Engine1610.3%
- Fuel system149.0%
- Brakes149.0%
- Visibility138.4%
- Body & structure127.7%
- Powertrain (other)117.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
1 campaign cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govRecent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The radio is uncontrollable by driver. The radio the self dial from Bluetooth. Even if not connected, the radio surprises this driver by playing the radio unexpectedly at the highest rate. Due to the buttons not working, driver cannot turn down the radio causing safety concerns for being scared and distracted. There are no warnings. Mazda is unwilling to assess without pay.
- NHTSA ID
- 11747415
- Incident
- Jun 30, 2026
There is a consistent issue with the “ghost touch“ and the electrical system so when you’re going down the road, the musical will change. The music will blast up or down randomly it’ll get stuck and it’s very distracting. It will hang up on people while you’re having a conversation through the car phone. This was a recall for Mazda 2014 through 2016 and they need to extend it because it was still happening with my 2017. This is my first experience with Mazda and it has not been a good one as far as this goes. I do a lot of driving and phone calls and music are very important and stuff randomly changing or getting stuck while you’re driving and then trying to fix it is very dangerous.
- NHTSA ID
- 11746990
- Incident
- May 15, 2026
Infotainment system randomly makes its own selections. Turns volume up and down, changes settings, changes stations... etc. Anything that can be controlled on the screen is at risk of being randomly hijacked. Once, my drivers assist volume was unexpectedly turned to full blast and randomly shouted "navigation assistant will be at this volume. " I jumped so badly I actually could have crashed if I hadn't been at a light.
- NHTSA ID
- 11741077
- Incident
- Jan 1, 2024
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11739578
- Incident
- May 8, 2026
- Mileage
- 92,000 mi
Last week, the airbag warning light illuminated on my dashboard. Please be aware that this marks the fourth occurrence of this issue. Each time I bring the vehicle to the dealership, they provide a different explanation, and I am required to cover the repair costs. I have been informed that the vehicles were manufactured with a defect, causing the wiring harness to corrode at the junction where the temperature sensor connects to the engine, which measures the coolant temperature. Additionally, on two occasions, I was told that the wire had disconnected from the airbag connector. During my most recent visit to the dealership on 5/21/26, I was informed that an item in my glove compartment had dislodged the wire from the passenger side airbag module. This situation is extremely concerning, as it suggests that the wire can easily fall out or become loose from the airbag, given that there is no barrier between the glove compartment and the airbag. It is important to note that this issue arises each time I start the vehicle while it is stationary, and this vehicle has never been involved in an accident nor have the airbags been deployed.
- NHTSA ID
- 11739407
- Incident
- May 15, 2026
My car only has 65k miles on it and the rear differential failed and needs to be replaced. I am seeing this posted online by many Mazda CX-5 owners well under the mileage this typically happenes but out of the warranty period. Mazda should start a recall or compensate owners for this. its never been in an accident simply a commuter car used around town
- NHTSA ID
- 11724653
- Incident
- Mar 11, 2026
During a one-hour car ride, the front passenger side seat heater burned a hole through the seat, damaging my wife's skirt and leaving a hole in the upholstery. The overheating definitely originated within the seat. We immediately turned the seat heater off and have not used it since. It could have started a fire, which is very scary, or burned my wife, which is a serious safety risk. This issue has been mentioned by other Mazda owners, but I cannot find any recall reports. There were no warnings prior to the burning. The component is being taken to the dealership to be examined today.
- NHTSA ID
- 11722180
- Incident
- Nov 7, 2025
UNKNOWN The infotainment system started malfunctioning on its own. Changes channels on radio, goes into settings and makes changes. Calls phone numbers etc. Does it more in the cold weather
- NHTSA ID
- 11709977
- Incident
- Feb 10, 2023
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE
This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-061/25 12/17/25 DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. Aftermarket devices may be the cause of the electrical concern. Below are a few examples of unusual electrical concerns caused by aftermarket devices. Examples: 1. Devices connected to the DLC-2 (battery discharge/DTC stored) 2. Devices plugged into the 12V outlet 3. GPS tracking device (engine no start/battery discharge) 4. Dash cam (DTC stored) 5. Non-certified USB cable (Apple Carplay™/ Android Auto™ will not connect) 6. Over-sized wheels/tires (incorrect GPS location) 7. DTC C0023:14 8. Decorative trim and/or cover on the START/STOP ENGINE button Example 1: Some electrical devices connected to the DLC-2 connector by insurance or mobile phone companies may cause: Battery discharge. The device may disrupt the CAN system battery saver mode. • IDS/MMDS will not communicate with the vehicle due to poor DLC-2 connection. The aftermarket device may cause DLC-2 female terminals to spread open.
POWER TRAIN
This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. 01-008/23 06/05/23 Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt auto tensioner. This may be caused by insufficient sealing at the drive belt auto tensioner damper when the auto tensioner fully operates under both high ambient temperature and high load conditions. To eliminate this concern, the shape of the drive belt auto tensioner damper has been changed. REPAIR PROCEDURE If the tensioner is found to be "No Good" after completing the Drive Belt Auto Tensioner Inspection, replace it with a modified part according to the instructions on MGSS online:
STRUCTURE:BODY
DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle certification label. To obtain a replacement VIN plate (bulkhead-mounted and visible through the lower-left area of the windshield), contact DAG (Dealer Assistance Group) using VIN Plate Request Form available on One Mazda. To obtain a replacement vehicle certification label (located on the Bpillar or front door), contact your assigned DSM (District Service Manager) to place the order. If DSM contact information is not available, refer to the Dealer & Field Contact Directory.
ENGINE; POWER TRAIN; SERVICE BRAKES
This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers. SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE Refer to the applicable Workshop Manual or Owner's Manual for vehicle -specific manufacturer scheduled maintenance. Workshop Manual - Refer to section 00-00 SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. Owner's Manual - Refer to section 8 Maintenance and Care. b. Note: Please refer to the information below outlining the services not included in Mazda's Factory Scheduled Maintenance: IMPORTANT: Recommending fluid flushes when not necessary can lead to customer confusion and dissatisfaction. Fluid flushing for preventive maintenance purposes is strongly discouraged, unless otherwise specified in a published procedure (Owner’s Manual, Workshop Manual, Technical Service Bulletin, etc.).
ENGINE
This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued M-Tip(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. MT-002/19 09/30/19 and 12/19/19 DESCRIPTION If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake manifold internally before installing a replacement engine assembly. If the intake manifold is not cleaned properly, the replacement engine may fail prematurely. Metallic debris from the old engine (with catastrophic internal mechanical failure) may rest inside the intake manifold. When the new engine assembly is installed, debris in the intake manifold will be ingested into the new engine and cause internal damage. Clean the intake manifold internally to remove any debris from old engine before installing the new replacement engine assembly. If the intake manifold cannot be properly cleaned internally, replace it.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued M-Tip(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. MT-003/22 03/02/22 DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain about a tapping or knocking noise coming from the rear seat after fuel fill. The concern will likely occur if the fuel tank is overfilled (more fuel is added after the fuel pump nozzle shuts off automatically) or filled up normally in high ambient temperatures and the fuel expands. No repair is needed. Explain to the customer not to continue filling after nozzle shut off.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.