Mazda · CX-5 · 2017
1
Recall
143
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2017 Mazda CX-5 has 1 recall and 143 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: unknown or other (25 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 25, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
Frontal Crash Test

Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
16.9% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
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 Status
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.
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
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.
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.
Unknown The infotainment system started malfunctioning on its own
I purchased this vehicle on the 10th of September. BY the 12th I I noticed the infotainment system was doing its own thing without me touching anything. The next day it did the same thing I E.changing stations on its own,volume going up or down etc...
Unknown
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.
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
The contact owns a 2017 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that the navigation was system rebooting and not connecting with the satellite. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the Firmware was updated. The vehicle was repaired, but another failure occurred. The contact stated that the navigation system was inoperable. There was a compass symbol being displayed. The mechanic informed the contact that the navigation sim card chip needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
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.
The contact owns a 2017 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Rear differential began to leak. Mechanics (3) looked at the part and discovered play in both right and left side axles leading into rear differential along with loud clanking noises inside the differential itself. Seal areas on both sides of unit had extensive play. Diagnosed with worn gears inside rear differential. Vehicle is only 8 years old (bought brand new) and has 74,110 miles. Complaint filed with Mazda claiming that gears and rear differential should not have failed given the mileage. Mazda has advised me that the car was out of warranty (5yrs/60k mileage) that the repairs were not covered. They wanted me to drive my car to a local Mazda dealer but I declined since driving it may/would have caused more damage to differential. Advised them to have their mechanic go to my local repair facility where part was replaced and pick up the differential for verification. Research online has indicated other owners has suffered identical issues. Have not heard anything back from Mazda. Total cost to replace $3,993.49
My vehicle has had the "Ghost Touch" issue that has been reported on many Mazda vehicles and even had a recall for the 2014-2016 models since I got the car in 2018. Mazda has refused to do a recall or cover repairs even though it's still being reported as an issue on multiple different models of Mazda. This happens on a constant basis and just keeps getting worse. Here is the original recall notice from NHTSA: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10164268-0001.pdf
Infotainment system "touch" screen doesn't work and I experience "ghost" touching where it's as if someone is actually pressing the screen to toggle between the different functions, raise/lower the volume, etc., when my hands are no where near the screen. It's a very dangerous distraction when it happens while driving.
The rear camera dose not always display on the LCD screen, likely due to the ghosting issue with the infotainment system which randomly cuts in and out. This poses a safety hazard when backing up. Despite repeated complaints from other owners as well regarding the LCD screen, Mazda will not cover cost of replacing the LCD screen. I had a 2014 Mazda 3 for which there was a recall for the same issue and they covered it. So I don't understand why they won't do it for this vehicle. Being able to see what is behind the vehicle when backing up is a safety concern. I provided date of most recent occurrence, but this has happened multiple times before.
Touchscreen continues to change to different screens Ghost touch screen malfunction is know to dealer as prior year models have also had problems and recall was issued Dealer won’t cover cost of repair as it’s out of warranty This just started so I wouldn’t have known during warranty The dealer will repair for $750 which is not fair as it’s a known problem It is very distracting while driving and even if I turn the display off it will come back on
Coolant leak, caused engine failure
Rear differential failed at roughly 80,000 miles. Depending on failure, unexpected loss of traction or a locking up of the drivetrain could occur. We were lucky to catch it before then. Dealer confirmed issue with no clear cause. No warning lamps/messages/etc indicated that the part was failing. The only thing we noticed was increased highway noise, which could easily be ignored by someone who is not as aware of good/bad car noises.
Car was making popping noise, got it checked out at mechanic. Said rear differential had metal in the oil.
The vehicle – display has a ghosting issue with the screen keeps on changing without me, touching the controls. It will switch from one function to another function independently, and sometimes the screen goes blank. This display was replaced under recall in 2020 and I’m starting to have similar problems now in 2024 for the last 10 months. When the screen goes blank, this compose a safety hazard.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2017 Mazda CX-5 has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 143 owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Mazda CX-5.
The 2017 Mazda CX-5 received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2017 Mazda CX-5 are unknown or other (25 reports), electrical system (22 reports), visibility/wiper (11 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2017 Mazda CX-5. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.