2017 Mazda Mazda6 Electrical Problems

The infotainment touchscreen display in my 2017 Mazda 6 is experiencing a "ghost touch" defect, where the screen registers inputs without being touched. The defective touchscreen is available for inspection upon request. While driving, the system randomly changes settings, switches menus, activates functions, and changes audio or navigation screens without driver input. This creates a safety hazard because it distracts the driver and requires attention to be diverted from the road to address the unexpected screen activity. The issue occurs repeatedly and can happen at any time while the vehicle is in motion. The condition has been reported numerous times to an authorized Mazda dealership, Puyallup Mazda 608 River Road, Puyallup, WA 98371, 253-845-1766. The dealership acknowledged the complaint but stated the ghost touch condition is not covered under Mazda's extended warranty program for infotainment system defects and declined to replace the screen. My vehicle is included in the Mazda Connect Infotainment Class Action Settlement and extended warranty program, which addresses infotainment system malfunctions. Despite exhibiting the widely reported 'ghost touch' defect, the dealership refused to repair the condition under the extended warranty, leaving a known driver-distraction hazard uncorrected. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership, but no repair has been performed. The defective infotainment screen remains installed and available for inspection. Prior to the defect becoming severe, the touchscreen occasionally registered unintended inputs. The condition progressively worsened and now frequently activates functions without any user interaction. No warning lights, diagnostic messages, or other vehicle alerts appeared before or during the malfunction. This unresolved defect poses an ongoing driver-distraction risk and could increase the likelihood of a crash.

NHTSA ID

11753322

Incident

Jul 20, 2026

The center mounted Mazda Connect infotainment system in my 2017 Mazda 6 Touring sedan is defective. The screen randomly & intermittently changes display modes while the vehicle is on (driving or parked). It began about 2024 & getting worse. One second it will be on navigation then it arbitrarily switchs to phone settings or set a random destination in the navigation screen or change radio channels. the routine is entirely random and is never the same results. There are no dash warning lights, no EWL, no indications of any kind before, during or after. Resetting the infotainment system does not resolve the issue. road conditions or speed do not change the issue. outside temperature seems to affect the unit more because the hotter the ambient temp, the worse the issue seems to be. likewise, high humidity & high temperature causes more issues. The vehicle is garaged in South Florida. removing the SD card from the center console (the navigation maps from Mazda) does not affect the issue. replacing the Mazda navigation SD card does not make any change in the frequency, duration or intensity of the issue. moving the jog dial on the center console will allow interfacing the infotainment system, however, not touching the jog dial still has an issue. The issue is becoming a hazard while driving because the turn-by-turn navigation randomly routes to random destinations and when cancelled, it randomly picks another point of interest and starts all over again. The radio cannot stay on a single frequency, it scans through presets. The issues are distracting and the vehicle is out of factory warranty. The dealership cannot reproduce the issue after 3 separate visits for regular maintenance. The reverse camera (also using the screen) works normal most of the time. I had a single issue where the camera would not turn on while in reverse. disconnecting the main 12v battery reset the camera and it has been working since that isolated issue. (Case No. [XXX] (W.D. Ky) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATI

NHTSA ID

11745149

Incident

Jun 13, 2026

Ghost touch concern on infotainment touchscreen, similar/same as SSPB6 which was issued for earlier Mazda3 models and extended to other Mazda models. When car is on and touchscreen is not disabled, it exhibits phantom touches, making it unsafe and unusable as it acts like it is being tapped all across the screen. this is especially dangerous when using the navigation which was nearly a $1000 added cost, as it stops the map from being centered on the car location and moves the viewport around as the phantom touches occur.

NHTSA ID

11718687

Incident

Feb 15, 2023

Infotainment system continually has ghost touches and opens apps, changes radio stations glitches on the screen while the car is driving making it extremely dangerous to drive as it affects volume also. Sometimes it will just start blaring at full volume. Happens everytime I drive

NHTSA ID

11634413

Incident

Jan 6, 2025

The infotainment system randomly changes screens, places calls, alters routes while vehicle is in use. It makes for a dangerous distraction while driving.

NHTSA ID

11595855

Incident

Jun 15, 2024

The issue I'm experiencing seems to be common, and is called the "infotainment ghost touch screen issue" The electric screen that shows maps, radio stations, chapters in books I'm listening to, driving directions, etc. starts fluctuating wildly whenever I'm approaching traffic lights. This causes a series of loud beeps and screen fluctuations that are not only distracting but startling --especially if I'm not listening to the radio and the car is quiet. The warranty on the electronic screen has expired but the car is in perfect shape other than this issue (which Mazda knows about). The screen is very expensive to fix or replace. Recently, when the infotainment screen fluctuates the mileage and other dashboard screens start fluctuating as well; they're in my line of vision and are distracting and therefore dangerous, especially on Miami's already dangerous highways. I'd like to bring the car to the Mazda dealership and have this issue fixed without incurring a cost.

NHTSA ID

11593467

Incident

Feb 1, 2024

The infotainment system on my car randomly repeatedly and frequently registers inputs when I am not making any. This has happened more times than I can count over the past several years. It will call people in my contacts, change settings on my car including safety settings, it will blast the volume, turn the volume all the way down, etc. This causes me to repeatedly take my eyes off the road to undo all of the unwarranted inputs which is a safety concern and has almost caused an accident at least once. There is an open recall for model years 2014 to 2016 for this exact issue. I am not sure why there is no 2017 recall since this is the exact same problem of "ghost touch" in previous model years.

NHTSA ID

11584920

Incident

Apr 24, 2024

2017 Mazda 6 with the dreaded "ghost touch" on the infotainment system. Driving along, the screen freaks out, volume goes up, station changes, screen goes almost black, bass goes up, fader goes to back... Very disappointing that Mazda knows about the problem and continues to build cars with this issue. Why only recall 2014-2016 Mazda 3's when it's happening across all models and into the 2020 models? Won't buy a Mazda again.

NHTSA ID

11572109

Incident

Feb 15, 2024

Touch screen on vehicle making random selections on its own, causing potentially dangerous distractions to myself while driving. There are also dead spots on screen where touch does not work. Reads error code "B108E04 Display-System Internal Failure"

NHTSA ID

11568352

Incident

Jan 28, 2024

The infotainment system will have repeated ghost touches rendering the screen virtually useless. This is a known issue that mazda is not repairing and they are making the car owner responsible on paying for the fix of their broken product.

NHTSA ID

11555607

Incident

Nov 1, 2023

I’ve had my 2017 Mazda6 for 2 years and first had an issue when the vehicle could not detect the key fob was near. A Mazda dealership at that time could not resolve the issue. Now at times the vehicle won’t start unless i physically hover the key fob over the push to start button. I continued with the purchase and now 2 years in I’ve had so many issues with the infotainment screen acting insane, known as “ghost touching”. When coming to a stop the screen will start clicking around to different screen settings on the monitor. It’s incredibly frustrating and unsafe trying to resolve this issue in the middle of Dallas traffic. Earlier this year I had to make 6 hour trip up north and cruise control caused an issue the entire ride there. When cruise control was turned on the vehicle would start to accelerate on its own. I’m familiar with cruise control and how to use it. No button to increase speed or gas were used to increase the speed at that time, and when I tried to decrease speed from the steering wheel, the button would not work, only working when the break was pressed. Last I checked, cruise control is no longer working in the vehicle. I am terrified to learn of the other issues that could come of the electrical issue I’m having with the car. The electrical issues reported from myself and others need to be a cause for a concern and a recall NEEDS to happen!! I have also noticed the collision avoidance light will turn on and off, I’m not sure if this is related to the above issues but am certain that the key fob light that stays on, never shutting off is related. Please help!!

NHTSA ID

11534184

Incident

Sep 22, 2021

For the last 2 yrs the screen and radio volume and turned up loudly on it's on while driving and causes a severe distraction. Also the channels change on it's own and beep. The screen changes from light to dark mode on it's own and the Bluetooth cuts out while I'm on the phone or it calls someone on my contact list on it's own. It's caused me to be distracted and almost have accidents because it doesn't stop. This is an ongoing problem with Mazda owners and should be recalled due to safety concerns There was a recall on older models with the same type of issue. . It's gotten much worse lately and I've just taken it to the Mazda dealer. They call a Ghost touch and they said Mazda is aware of the problem. There has also been reports on the BBB website about similiar issues. I called Mazda and they opened a case on it. The Case # is 00104322. The Mazda dealer said it would cost over $600 to fix and the screen needs to be replaced

NHTSA ID

11524784

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

My "infotainment" system was experiencing ghost touching. In other words, the touch screen in the car that controls everything from radio to bluetooth to settings for safety features such as braking assist and automatic sensor wipers would completely go crazy and select/unselect features in the touchscreen. Sometimes it was one touch at a time (ie, change the radio station). Over time, and the more humid it was outside, I would have drives where every time the car was under 10mph, the touchscreen would go berserk. The car does have a feature where you cannot change settings when the car is going faster than 10mph, so thankfully this could not happen continuously. I had many instances where I would be braking to stop at a red light and the volume of the radio would go up so high that you would immediately cover your ears. (I keep radio at volume 10-15 and go to 30 when I want it really loud, it would go to 50 or more by itself). Obviously this is not good when you are at 10mph and still coming to a stop with a car in front of you. The first time it happened, I was so unaware that I immediately slammed on the brakes to a complete stop and the car behind me barely missed hitting me. Other instances involved the ghost touching turning off the "brake assist" option in the settings and turning off the "rain sensing wipers" feature all while driving. I would have to wait until my destination, then turn off the car and then turn back on to turn these safety features back on for the next drive. Obviously this is not good safety, when these safety features turn off during a drive. It got to the point I would not drive my kids in the car anymore. The Mazda dealer did not understand what was happening, but a quick Google search shows this issue for 2017 Mazda 6 and 2014-2016 Mazda3. Thats alot of cars and the only fix is to replace the touchscreen. I replaced mine in the summer of 2021 and paid well over $900. This needs to be recalled to prevent future issues for owners.

NHTSA ID

11497869

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

Please see https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10166895-0001.pdf PARTS AND WARRANTY INFORMATION SSPB6 I, and many other Mazda6 owners, have this exact problem which prevents cell phones from being able to connect to the car's Bluetooth. As a result, drivers can not follow the law, i.e. All Maryland drivers are prohibited from using a Cell Phone without a Hands Free Device while operating a motor vehicle. This impacts my safety and the safety of others. On 8/12/21 Mazda referred to this as GHOST TOUCH and quoted $1,250 to fix it. I believe Mazda should cover this repair as they did with the Mazda3's. Can you please help me?

NHTSA ID

11488018

Incident

Aug 1, 2021

Mazda Infotainment system operates without user input, "ghost touch" issue reported. Automatic input causes volume to turn to loudest setting, re-routes navigation, dials phone numbers through connected USB and bluetooth devices, all with no user input to the touch screen or control knobs. System can not be turned off, ghost touch issue turns system back on without user input. Severe safety concern due to distraction, navigation error, damaging uncontrolled high volume of stereo while driving.

NHTSA ID

11459482

Incident

Mar 1, 2022

The infotainment system is experiencing problems of operating by itself (ghost touch) similar to the hazard experienced on certain 2014-2016 Mazda 3s.

NHTSA ID

11430510

Incident

Aug 25, 2021

GHOST TOUCH: MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME "GHOST TOUCH" PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN NHTSA ID NUMBER 11375393. FUNCTIONS ON THE TOUCH SCREEN RANDOMLY ACTIVATE THEMSELVES. THIS OCCURS BOTH WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE STOPPED. IT IS DIFFICULT TO CANCEL THESE RANDOM ACTIONS, AND IT IS DISTRACTING TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING. I FIRST NOTICED IT AROUND 32K MILES, WHICH IS ABOUT 15K MILES AGO, AND IT OCCURS A FEW TIMES A WEEK.

NHTSA ID

11378583

Incident

Dec 4, 2020

GHOST TOUCH- RADIO/AUDIO CENTER RANDOMLY SWITCHES MODES, STATIONS, FUNCTIONS AND WILL ACCESS PHONE CONTACTS VIA BLUETOOTH AND MAKE RANDOM VOICE CALLS . ONCE CONNECTED, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DISCONNECT. OFTEN TIMES THE CALL WILL BE REPEATED SEVERAL TIMES. THIS OCCURS BOTH WHILE SITTING STILL OR WHEN DRIVING. IT IS VERY DISTRACTING TO TRY TO DISCONNECT RANDOM VOICE CALLS WHILE DRIVING. THE STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS ARE NOT EFFECTIVE IN TRYING TO DISCONNECT. YOU MUST CANCEL THE CALL ON THE ACTUAL PHONE IN VIOLATION OF HANDS-FREE LAWS IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

NHTSA ID

11375393

Incident

Nov 18, 2020

Mileage

82,000 mi

MAIN WIRING HARNESS NEAR ENGINE COILS CHEWED THRU BY RODENT WHILE IT WAS PARKED IN THE CITY. ONE WIRE WAS COMPLETELY CUT AND ANOTHER NEARBY WIRE WAS CHEWED. THESE WIRES CARY HIGH VOLTAGES AND CAN CAUSE FIRE IF SHORTED. THIS WIRING HARNESS MAY CONTAIN SOY BASED PRODUCTS WHICH CAN ATTRACT RODENTS. THIS CAR ENGINE COVER HAS ENOUGH ROOM FOR ROBENT TO GET INSIDE AND MAKE THEIR HOME NEAR THE WIRES. THE WHITE FIBERS MATERIALS YOU SEE IN THE IMAGE IS FROM THE ENGINE COVER INSULATION THAT RAT REMOVED FROM COVER.

NHTSA ID

11058324

Incident

Dec 11, 2017

Mileage

2,070 mi