Vehicle report

2017 Mazda CX-5

Free recalls, owner complaints, and NHTSA safety ratings for the 2017 Mazda CX-5, plus how to check this specific vehicle before you buy.

The 2017 Mazda CX-5 has 1 NHTSA recall on record and 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Its overall NHTSA crash-test rating is 4 out of 5. Below is the full breakdown, plus how to check this specific vehicle by VIN before you buy in Alberta.

1

Open recalls

15

Complaints

4

Overall safety

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2017 Mazda CX-5 recalls (1)

  • TRAILER HITCHES

    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. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1617K.

2017 Mazda CX-5 safety ratings

4

Overall

5

Front

5

Side

4

Rollover

Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.

2017 Mazda CX-5 owner complaints (15)

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    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.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    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.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    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.

  • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

    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.

  • AIR BAGS

    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.

  • POWER TRAIN

    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

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS

    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.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    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

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    The infotainment system suffers from ghost touching. It has gotten out of control even after a “recall” fix at the dealership. Without being touched the volume changes, the stations change, the presets change, the car makes calls to my contacts. I am often unable to control the screen as it turns the car to max volume while driving. It is extremely unsafe, distracting and alarming.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

    Dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree. Multiple warning lights all at once. This issue has been reported on multiple Mazda vehicle years. Took to Delker Auto repairs. Is electrical problem. Stated that so far nothing wrong with components. Will have to hunt for. Mazda has known electrical issues. In addition, your file upload will not let me upload picture even though it's in correct format. I can send separately.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    CX-5's infotainment system RANDOMLY, AND WITHOUT WARNING STARTS BEEPING AND CHANGING OPTIONS WHILE DRIVING, A VERY DISTRACTING EVENT. I TRIED TO SHUT THE SCREEN OFF BUT IT COMES BACK ON RANDOMLY AND CAUSES CONCERN AND DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING, IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS NOW AND OF WHAT I READ MAZDA WILL NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    The infotainment system in my 2017 Mazda CX-5 exhibits dangerous behavior consistent with known defects described in the Mazda Infotainment Class Action Settlement (Case No. 8:21-cv-01355). The infotainment system and touchscreen repeatedly activate critical functions on its own (“ghost touches”), sometimes going black, changing critical settings, disengaging phone calls as well as unexpectedly activating phone calls, and navigation features engage or freeze unpredictably. These malfunctions distract from safe vehicle operation, requiring driver attention to manage the malfunctioning display. The vehicle’s display is integrated with backup camera, audio, and Bluetooth controls, so these repeated malfunctions cause safety concerns while driving. Mazda and the dealership have refused to repair the defect under the Limited Warranty Extension established in the settlement, incorrectly claiming the issue is unrelated to the CMU (connectivity master unit). However, these symptoms are identical to those described in Mazda’s internal service bulletins (CSP13 and TSB 09-022/17) and covered by the settlement. I believe Mazda is failing to properly address a continuing safety-related defect that impacts infotainment stability and driver concentration. These issues have occurred for years and are continuing nearly every time I operate the vehicle.

  • SEAT BELTS

    Not an "incident" per se. Front passenger Seat Belt is difficult to clasp.

  • POWER TRAIN

    Rear differential failed around 97,000 miles. We were three months past our certified pre-owned warranty. Total cost to repair was around $4400 after a discount on parts and labor through our Costco membership. Contacted Mazda to see if they’d be willing to provide any assistance to cover the repair, they declined. Service advisor told us that it was a catastrophic failure that we did not cause. We purchased this car in 2020 and have always had it serviced at the dealership and at no point did they bring it up as it being an issue. The rear differential should not fail.

  • SEAT BELTS

    Unknown

Checking a used Mazda CX-5 before you buy

The recall, complaint, and safety data above describes the 2017 CX-5 in general. To know the condition and history of the specific vehicle you're looking at, check it by VIN. A VIN check shows whether this particular CX-5's recalls are still outstanding, and a full history report adds accident, title, and ownership records the data above can't show.

Before you buy a 2017 Mazda CX-5 in Alberta:

See other model years of the Mazda CX-5, or browse more Mazda models.

2017 Mazda CX-5 — questions and answers

Does the 2017 Mazda CX-5 have any recalls?+

Our check found 1 NHTSA recall associated with the 2017 Mazda CX-5. Check the specific vehicle by VIN to see which remain outstanding, since some may already have been repaired. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.

How many complaints does the 2017 Mazda CX-5 have?+

NHTSA lists 15 owner complaints for the 2017 Mazda CX-5 in our results. Complaints are problems reported by owners and don't always lead to a recall, but a pattern of similar complaints is worth weighing before you buy.

Is the 2017 Mazda CX-5 safe?+

The 2017 Mazda CX-5 has an overall NHTSA crash-test rating of 4. Review the front-crash, side-crash, and rollover ratings above, and pair safety ratings with a mechanical inspection of the specific vehicle.

How do I check a 2017 Mazda CX-5 VIN?+

Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN into our free VIN check to see recalls, complaints, and safety ratings for that exact vehicle, then run an Alberta Personal Property Registry (PPR) lien search before you pay.

Are recall repairs on a Mazda free?+

Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed at no cost by a franchised Mazda dealer, even for a used vehicle and even if you're not the original owner. Confirm the required parts are in stock before relying on the fix.

Get the full vehicle history report

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Accident & damage records, liens, title brands, ownership history, and odometer verification.

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Provided by our vehicle-history partner. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.