2017 Mazda Mazda3 Complaints

EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 04/15/2026

Many modern trucks, SUVs, and cars use LED headlights that are excessively bright and create dangerous glare. When approaching these vehicles from the opposite direction, the headlights can be blinding — similar to having a flashlight shined directly into your eyes — causing temporary loss of visibility. The glare also affects drivers traveling in the same direction, as the intense light reflects sharply off rear‑view and side mirrors. This creates a persistent distraction and makes it difficult to maintain safe awareness of the road. This issue is widespread across many vehicle types and appears to be related to the brightness and mounting height of LED headlights, especially on larger vehicles. It poses a significant safety hazard and should be investigated as a systemic lighting problem.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 07/29/2025

Anytime the tank was filled with gas there was a strong smell of gasoline vapors that persisted for several days. The car was a few months past its warranty on emissions issues and so I was charged about $1500 to replace a cracked fuel pump and fuel vent that was stuck open. The mechanic also said that the check engine light should have warned me about the problem but that neither the dashboard light nor his diagnostic equipment was triggered by the defect. He suspects the car's computer is programmed to avoid drawing attention to the problem. Had the light been working I would likely have caught the problem while it was still under warranty.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 07/28/2025

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.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 07/25/2025

The original OEM radio in my Mazda has been experiencing persistent ghost touch issues, making it incredibly frustrating to use. The screen often registers inputs without me touching it, leading to random changes in volume, station selections, and menu navigation. As a result, I find myself unable to rely on my radio for music or navigation, which significantly detracts from my driving experience. I’m considering possible solutions, but for now, it's an inconvenience that I can't overlook.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 01/01/2023

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -> Infotainment display has "ghost touch" issue. Infotainment starts acting up on its own without driver input. It changes radio station automatically, places a call randomly, disconnects call randomly. This is caused by the touchscreen digitizer, the display lens of poor quality which leads to webbing or cracking on the inside. This leads to loss of touch and ghost touch issue 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -> It is distracting to the driver when the radio station is switch automatically. It sometimes freaks me out. When the infotainment places call to someone back to back, I need to keep disconnecting the call manually. It creates an unsafe environment for the driver. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -> Yes, the issue is acknowledged by the dealer, but refused to fix it. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? -> No. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? -> No. There is no warning. It appeared 2 years ago with mild discolored screen, then it lead to webbing/cracks on the inside

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 07/07/2025

The screen that displays the backup camera image has an issue that makes it difficult to see the backup camera feed clearly. The screen appeared like this unexpectedly when I returned to my car after a work day. The only warning was a malfunction of the screen's touch function for the last several months.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 06/13/2025

The infotainment screen in my Mazda 3 will act as if buttons are being pressed without buttons actually being pressed. It a distraction and unsafe. I've noticed that other Mazdas had issues with this as well and were given extended warranties to fix this problem. Why not the 2017 Mazda 3? I talked to a mechanic about fixing it and it's very expensive yet it's a widespread Mazda problem. Someone is going to crash because of this.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 05/10/2025

I made a right turn onto a gravel driveway that has a slight incline. My speed was less than 10 mph. At the top of the incline I attempted to make a U turn so I could park the car. Midway through the U turn the car's acceleration increased rapidly to high speed without my stepping on the accelerator. I pressed the brake 3 times. The brake pedal went to the floor without seemingly any effect. In seconds the car traveled across the front lawn, picked up concrete from and old cistern top and smashed into the front porch tearing it off it's foundation. Portions of the porch and tree limb fell shortly after the impact. The front tire was spinning at a rapid rate when I exited the vehicle. Extraction of the vehicle was not accomplished for 2 weeks while experts determined how best to accomplish the extraction. The car insurance company and 2 towing businesses declared the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle is with the towing company per car insurance company request. I don't know if it has been inspected. I did not see any warning lights. I was treated at the hospital for a slight concussion and significant head and facial bruising and lacerations as well as a wrist burn likely caused by air bag deployment.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 03/15/2024

The vehicle's touch screen for radio/nav/vehicle settings has delaminated which causes the display to detect "touches" that are a result of the delamination. This can result in navigation exiting, radio changing audio levels, and a myriad of other things like turning on/off vehicle safety settings. This was a known issue on the previous models and a short web-search has found that many others with this generation mazda has the same issue.

BACK OVER PREVENTION — Filed 03/15/2025

Hello frustrated people! Second time back to the dealership...backup camera they say got wet from moisture, (after 2 drained batteries in less than 2 years), my cost. I think that this is a very dangerous vehicle that I am driving now!!!! Besides the fact, at my age, being stuck in a parking lot in 20 degree weather for 3 hours waiting for roadside assistance. The camera goes haywire...I cannot connect to the phone or navigation system. I can't leave my house for fear that my car is not going to start! Now I have to pay for a backup camera??? WE think that is the problem, they told me! So far the quote is $600.00...... A DANGER to drive! Can you imagine , pulling off the side of the road, when your navigation goes out! And now warmer weather, it doesnt do that. So how are they going to know now????

AIR BAGS — Filed 03/27/2025

Seat sensor failed.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 01/26/2025

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.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 01/23/2025

My 2017 Mazda Mazda3 Sport is affected by a problem widely known as "ghost touch" by owners of this vehicle. This issue causes the touch screen to behave erratically and activate random functions, which is extremely distracting while driving. Mazda has a recall on a similar issue for the 2014-2016 Mazda3, but it refuses to fix this obviously widespread issue for the 2017 and later models.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 06/01/2022

The touchscreen for the infotainment area is ghost touching and changing information. This turn off information like lane change assist changes the volume of the blinker as well as randomly calls people. This is highly disruptive and distracting while driving. There has been many instances when I have had to pull off the road to try to avoid major issues because of this. When it is selecting things it’s self I am not able to use the touch screen at all. It is also selecting things when I am driving over 5mph when the screen is not supposed to be engaged at all.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 12/22/2024

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 12/19/2024

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

BACK OVER PREVENTION — Filed 07/08/2023

The contact owns a 2017 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rearview camera would intermittently display a distorted or blank image. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the camera was replaced under warranty; however, the failure returned almost a year later after the repair. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed parts were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 11/03/2024

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.

BACK OVER PREVENTION — Filed 04/21/2021

The contact owns a 2017 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera image was distorted or showed a black screen occasionally and failed to engage on other occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the rearview camera was replaced several times; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,098. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 10/01/2024

I am experiencing an issue with the infotainment system in my vehicle where it behaves erratically and intermittently without any input from me. Radio Stations Change Automatically: The system switches between radio stations on its own, even when I haven’t touched the controls. Unwanted Phone Calls: The system will sometimes dial random contacts from my phone without any command or input from me. This has led to accidental calls. Dropped Calls: When I’m on a phone call via the car's Bluetooth connection, the system frequently drops the call or switches to a different function, like the radio or media player, cutting off the conversation. Erratic Behavior During Media Playback: Occasionally, the system will change media sources (e.g., switching from Bluetooth audio to the radio) or pause/unpause media randomly. These issues are not tied to any specific driving conditions or user actions. It seems like the infotainment system has "a mind of its own" and is functioning independently, which creates safety concerns, especially when I'm driving.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 01/03/2022

CAR WAS PARKED IN A CARPORT ON FLAT GROUND. CAME OUTSIDE CAR WAS GONE .. ROLLED OUT OF THE CARPORT DOWN A 500 FT DRIVEWAY, TURNED INTO THE DRIVEWAY ACROSS THE HIGHWAY INTO A VEHICLE PARKED THERE.. ELECTRONIC BRAKING WAS APPLIED AND STILL ENGAGED.. PARKED THE CAR BACK INTO THE CARPORT AND TRIED PUSHING IT OUT OF THE CARPORT AND WOULDNT BUDGE... MY VEHICLE ROLLED ACROSS A BUSY HIGHWAY AND IF THE LADY DIDNT HAVE A VEHICLE PARKED THERE IT WOULD HAVE WENT INTO THE SIDE OF HER HOUSE...

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 10/10/2019

I LEASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN 2016 , SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD TWO INCIDENTS WHICH WHILE PARKED AND IN GEAR WITH THE MECHANICAL E-BRAKE SET I HAVE WALKED OUTSIDE TO FIND MY CAR NOT WHERE I LEFT IT. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS IN SEPTEMBER OF 2017 RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AS WELL AS THE REAR END. I WAS LIVING ON BLOCK ISLAND AND THE CAR LET LOOSE OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT AND ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO A TREE DOING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND COMPLETELY TAKING THE MIRROR OFF. AFTER HITTING THE TREE THE CAR THE REDIRECTED TOWARDS ANOTHER GROUP OF SMALL TRESS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE DRIVERS SIDE WHERE IT THEN STOPPED IN A STONE WALL DAMAGING THE REAR BUMPER. AFTER A BATTLE WITH BOTH MAZDA AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY I WAS LEFT REPAIRING THE CAR MYSELF. ON OCTOBER 10TH OF THIS YEAR I WENT OUTSIDE TO START MY CAR TO FIND IT HAD YET AGAIN RELEASED ITSELF AND WAS IN A DITCH AT THE END OF MY DRIVEWAY. CAUSING DAMAGE TO BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE, THE REAR LIGHTS AND BUMPER COVER. THIS TIME THE CAR WENT DOWN INTO A DITCH SO THERE IS ALSO DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE AS WELL. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH MAZDA AND THEY CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. LUCKILY IN BOTH INCIDENTS THE CAR WAS IN RURAL AREA SO IT DIDN'T INJURE ANYONE AND IT ONLY TOOK OUT VEGETATION AND A STONE WALL. I PAY A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT MONTHLY TO LEASE THIS CAR AND I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT, I FEAR WHAT WILL BE BEHIND IT NEXT TIME THE E-BRAKE LETS LOOSE. I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO BRING A WHEEL CHOCK WITH ME WHENEVER I GO INTO THE CITY SINCE THE INCIDENT IN 2017. DUE TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY DELAYING ANY PROGRESS ON FIXING THE CAR I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO RENT A CAR PAYING OUT OF POCKET THE EXPENSE SO THAT I AM SAFE ON THE ROADS. ANY HELP OR DIRECTION IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I HAVE PHOTOS AND QUOTES I CAN OBTAIN FROM THE GARAGE IF NECESSARY.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE — Filed 07/08/2018

THE ENGINE BEGAN REVVING HIGH AS I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND APPLY THE BRAKES AS I APPROACHED A TRAFFIC RED LIGHT. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO SEE IF BY TAPPING THE GAS PEDAL IT WOULD STOP REVVING. IT DID NOT. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND THE CAR SPED FORWARD DESPITE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I WENT THROUGH A RED LIGHT TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ON TO A MAJOR HIGHWAY, CROSSED A MEDIAN STRIP, CLIPPED A VEHICLE IN THE REAR, TURNED THE CAR TRYING TO AVOID COLLISIONS WITH OTHER CARS, WENT OFF THE ROAD HITTING UTILITY POLE AND TRANSFORMER BOX ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, FINALLY COMING TO REST WITH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 8, 2018, A SUNDAY AFTERNOON. NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT OBVIOUSLY SHAKEN AND CONFUSED HOW MY BRAKES COULD FAIL ON A CAR RECENTLY IN FOR ITS 10000 MILE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE 9 DAYS PRIOR. RESEARCHING THIS ON LINE FOUND SIMILAR INCIDENTS OF THIS OCCURRING WITH MAZDA 3 VEHICLES AND OTHER MANUFACTURERS (I.E. TOYOTA). REFERRED TO AS SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION (SUA). THERE ARE MANY REPORTED CASES OF SUA, SOME WHERE DRIVERS ARE AT FAULT. MY CASE WAS CLEARLY MECHANICAL DEFECT RELATED.

STRUCTURE — Filed 06/11/2018

THIS GOES WITH PREVIOUS FORM TGE OTHER THING IS THAT MY DOOR FLEW OF ON FREEWAY RIGHT BEFORE IT JERKED LIKE STATED IN OTHER FORM MY CAR HAD JUST BEEN FIXED FROM SAME DOORS AND NOW ONE FLIES OF CAR DOINGB80 MILES PER HR ON I15 IN NEVADA CAUSIN THE ACCIDENT I HAD I FEEL REPAIR SHOP NEEDS TO COVER THE COST OF ACCIDENT

STEERING,SUSPENSION — Filed 06/11/2018

SO I HAVE VISITED MAZDA DEALER IN CERRITOS. FEW TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED CAR I HAVE BEEN TELLING THEM ABOUT MY CAR JERKING TO THE SIDE WHILE DRIVING ITS LIKE A WOBBLE EFFECT THEY SAID CAR WAS FINE I INSISTED TO GET IT CHECKED AND THEY DIDNT SONI WENT BACK AND TOLD THEM I WANTED FULL CHECK THEY SAID FOR WHATBITS A NEW CAR I SAID I DONT FEEL SAFE WITH MY CAR JERKIN TO SIDE AND MAKING ME COME CLOSE TO SIDE SWIPE OTHER CARS. ON THE FREEWAY THEY CHECKED IT MILDLY I SAY THAT BECAUSE THEY DIDNT LAST NOT EVEN AN HOUR WHEN I GOT CAR RETURNED TO ME THE PROBLWM CONTINUED INRECENTLY GOT AN A ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS JREKIN CAR KEPT DOING WHAT DONI DO NOW I DONT FEELBITS OK TO LETBTHIS DEALER CONTINUE WORKINGBIF THEY ARENT CHECKING CARS CORRECTLY