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2017 Mazda CX-5: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues

What the public record actually says about the 2017 Mazda CX-5 — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.

The read

Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for SUV.

Owners filed 148 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 59% of 2017 SUVs. Electrical System leads the reports (30%). 1 safety recall campaign on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.

Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2017 SUVs, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.

Complaints filed

148

Reports to NHTSA, 2017

Safety recalls

1

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

26.5

EPA estimate

Complaint volume vs. segment peers

More complaints than 59% of 2017 SUVs

The bar is this car's percentile among 2017 SUVs by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.

Known issues

Electrical System issues lead owner complaints (30% of 148 reports), followed by unknown or other (17%).

Electrical System30% · 44 reports
Unknown Or Other17% · 25 reports
Power Train7% · 11 reports
Structure7% · 11 reports
Visibility/Wiper7% · 11 reports
Service Brakes6% · 9 reports
Engine5% · 8 reports
Fuel/Propulsion System4% · 6 reports

+ 15 more component categories with fewer reports.

Share of all 148 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11462935, ODI 11747415, ODI 11746990, ODI 11741077, ODI 11722180.

Recalls(1)

Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.

Trailer Hitches · 17V744000Details +

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.

Risk: Contact with the muffler may damage the trailer wiring harness, potentially resulting in the trailer lighting being inoperative, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

0 NHTSA investigations on record

No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.

Crash-test ratings

2017 Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

2017 Mazda CX-5 SUV FWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

TrimEngineDrivetrainCityHwyCombined
CX-5 2WD2.5L 4-cylFront-Wheel Drive243127
CX-5 4WD2.5L 4-cyl4-Wheel Drive232926

EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.

Before you buy

Useful next checks

Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.

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Compare model years

"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.

2017 Mazda CX-5: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2017 Mazda CX-5?

Owners filed 148 NHTSA complaints about the 2017 Mazda CX-5 — more complaints than 59% of comparable 2017 SUVs, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.

What are the most common problems on the 2017 Mazda CX-5?

The most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (30% of complaints) and unknown or other (17%).

How many recalls does the 2017 Mazda CX-5 have?

1 recall has been issued that affect the 2017 Mazda CX-5, covering components such as trailer hitches. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.

What gas mileage does the 2017 Mazda CX-5 get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Mazda CX-5 between 26 and 27 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.