RoadVitals

2017 Mazda Mazda3 Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
21
Latest Jul 28, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
25%
of 83 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2017 Mazda Mazda3 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 21 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Electrical
Filed Jul 28, 2025

Repeated instances of the Mazda Infotainment system making changes randomly without any user input while driving. Repeated instances of the navigation system freezing, going black, rebooting while driving.

NHTSA ID
11676786
Incident
Jul 28, 2025
Electrical
Filed Jan 26, 2025

Malfunctioning on and off on the display screen. My battery went dead after 11 months. Cause? It started over a year ago, but I called Mazda and they said there were no recalls at that time. Are there any now to date? Thank you for your time.

NHTSA ID
11638628
Incident
Jan 26, 2025
Electrical
Filed Dec 22, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID
11632043
Incident
Dec 22, 2024
Electrical
Filed Dec 19, 2024

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

NHTSA ID
11631651
Incident
Dec 19, 2024
Electrical
Filed Nov 5, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID
11623568
Incident
Nov 3, 2024
Electrical
Filed Jul 18, 2024

My radio in my 2017 Mazda3 hatchback randomly presses buttons with no input from the user. This is a known issue and can cause safety issues. Especially if the volume decides to turn itself up and cause hearing issues. It's almost impossible to make hands free phone calls if it doesn't work either

NHTSA ID
11603208
Incident
Jul 18, 2024
Electrical
Filed May 20, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID
11589799
Incident
May 20, 2024
Electrical
Filed May 3, 2024

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

NHTSA ID
11586901
Incident
Feb 1, 2024
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Apr 22, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID
11584492
Incident
Apr 22, 2022
Mileage
30,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 29, 2024

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 [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11580062
Incident
Feb 17, 2024
Electrical
Filed Feb 8, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID
11570810
Incident
Aug 1, 2023
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jul 5, 2023

VEHICLES CENTER CONSOLE DISPLAY SCREEN SUFFERS FROM GHOST TOUCHES. THE DISPLAY REGISTERS INPUTS FROM THE TOUCHSCREEN WITH NO ONE TOUCHING THE DISPLAY THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT IS ON THE 14-16 VERSIONS OF THIS VEHICLE. THE DISPLAY SELF NAVIGATES CAUSING A SUBSTANTIAL DISTRACTION AND INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF A CRASH. AS WELL ON A FEW INSTANCES SELF NAVIGATES THROUGH THE MENU AND SOMETIMES ENABLES OR DIABLES ADAS SYSTEM FEATURES COLLISION PREVENTION ETC.

NHTSA ID
11530520
Incident
Jul 3, 2023
Electrical
Filed May 1, 2023

The infotainment screen cracked on its own due to weather or humidity. The infotainment then proceeded to have ghost issues where it would change randomly. These seems like an electrical hazard. There are numerous complaints in forums but on 2014-2016 were recalled when other years have the same issue.

NHTSA ID
11519881
Incident
May 1, 2022
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Nov 18, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID
11494158
Incident
Nov 1, 2022
Mileage
80,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 10, 2022

I was stopped at a light, and the infotainment system began changing options on its own. It caused me to become worried and distracted on the problem at hand. Mazda is aware if this issue with the system but is refusing to do anything to fix it. Please help!

NHTSA ID
11493084
Incident
Nov 9, 2022
Electrical
Filed Oct 26, 2022

The electrical system in the dashboard will randomly Make its own decisions. It will choose to make phone calls or change and set radio stations. while becoming more frequent more items from the console are getting involved. my concern is that whatever's going on will start to involve the instrument panel causing the car to mechanically do things on its own. I apologize in advance if this is not considered a safety issue. thank you for your time.

NHTSA ID
11491064
Incident
Oct 26, 2022
Electrical
Filed Sep 8, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11432107
Incident
Sep 1, 2021
Mileage
40,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Mar 7, 2021

HORN FAILED INTERMITTENTLY STARTING AFTER ODOMETER HIT 36000 MILES AND WHEN BROUGHT IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE IT PASSED ALL CHECKS; MAY 2020 WHILE DRIVING WHEN STEERING WHEEL HORN WAS PRESSED THE HORN SORT OF 'WHINED' IN AUGUST, WHILE DRIVING WHEN HORN WAS PRESSED IT WOULD WHINE AND DONE IT SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING BURNING; NOW, IF YOU PRESS HORN IT DOESN'T WORK BUT IT SMELLS LIKE LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING LIKE A CIGARETTE SMOLDERING( THERE IS CLEARLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH EUTH THE STEERING OR ELECTRICAL RELAY SOMETIMES . MAZDA WON'T ASSIST WITH THIS ISSUE SAYING NOTHING IS WRONG - THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE CAUSE WITHOUT A HORN A CAR WILL NOT PASS A SAFETY INSPECTION.

NHTSA ID
11399635
Incident
Feb 26, 2021
Mileage
70,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 21, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATE THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ROYAL MOORE MAZDA 1380 SE RIVER RD, HILLSBORO, OR 97123 (503) 648-1153, HOWEVER THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED NOR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

NHTSA ID
11310563
Incident
Feb 20, 2020
Mileage
11,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 29, 2018

WHEN STARTING THE CAR SMART CITY BRAKE AMBER WARNING LIGHT AND SMART CITY AMBER FAULT LIGHT WILL SOMETIMES APPEAR ON THE DASH AFTER CAR SITS IN HOT SUN AND REMAIN ON AFTER CAR IS STARTED AND IS BEING DRIVEN. THE WARNING LIGHTS MAY OR MAY NOT DISAPPEAR WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED WAS SOON AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR MAY 25, 2017. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND AFTER INVESTIGATING REPLACED THE FORWARD SENSING CAMERA (FSC) AND PERFORMED A DYNAMIC AIMING PROCEDURE SYSTEM OPERATION. NO FURTHER SIMILAR PROBLEM WAS ENCOUNTERED UNTIL MAY, 2018. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS AGAIN NOTIFIED OF THE REPEAT PROBLEM. AFTER AGAIN INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED ME "....THE FSC CANNOT OPERATE NORMALLY DUE TO HIGH TEMPERATURES, THE SYSTEM FUNCTIONS RELATED TO THE FSC ARE TEMPORARILY STOPPED AND THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE DISPLAYED. HOWEVER, THIS DOES NOT A INDICATE A MALFUNCTION." TSB15-006/17 (NHTSA ID:101234390) WAS CITED. ADDITIONAL WRITTEN INFORMATION FROM MAZDA WAS ALSO SUPPLIED BY THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHICH STATED "THE WARNING LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF WHEN THE FSC COOLS DOWN BY TURNING ON THE AIR CONDITIONER OR PARKING IN THE SHADE" ALL OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION INDICATES THE SYSTEM FUNCTIONS RELATED TO THE FSC ARE TEMPORARILY STOPPED BUT THERE IS NO MALFUNCTION AND THE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE COOLED DOWN. THIS MAYBE TRUE BUT IS IT ALWAYS TRUE OR IS IT A SAFETY HAZARD MALFUNCTION DUE TO FAILURE OF THE FSC FOR A REASON OTHER THAN A HEAT. COPIES OF THE REPAIR INVOICES CAN BE MAILED TO YOU IF NEEDED.

NHTSA ID
11098712
Incident
Jul 15, 2017
Mileage
475 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 3, 2018

MAKING A RIGHT TURN FROM A STOP ONTO A FREEWAY SIDE STREET. IT IS A 50 MPH ZONE. ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THE TURN ON LIGHT THROTTLE AT ABOUT 10 MPH, I GIVE IT THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENS. THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING BUT WILL NOT ACCELERATE. I LET OFF THE THROTTLE COMPLETELY THAN REAPPLY IT. NOW IT ACCELERATES. GAS TANK IS SLIGHTLY OVER 1/4 FULL. THIS HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPORTED TO MAZDA AS IT HAS OCCURRED A FEW TIMES BEFORE. THEY HAD INSTALLED A RECORDING DEVICE IN THE CAR FOR A WHOLE MONTH BACK IN JANUARY THIS YEAR. TODAY WAS THE FIRST TIME SINCE BEFORE THE BLACK BOX THAT THIS PROBLEM CAME BACK. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2017.

NHTSA ID
11091527
Incident
May 3, 2018
Mileage
4,800 mi

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.

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