MAZDA CX-5 · model year

2017 MAZDA CX-5

187 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

4 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2017MAZDACX-5 carries 187 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 11 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2017 CX-5 is electrical system with 40 filings, followed by unknown or other (35) and engine (15). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 21 investigation files overlapping the 2017 CX-5, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

187
Complaints
11
Crashes
0
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths
2017 MAZDA CX-5 — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2017 MAZDA CX-5. Overall composite: 4.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 4.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 4.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

187 filings

Crashes Reported

11 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 4/5 — Strong NCAP rating · Front: 5/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM40
UNKNOWN OR OTHER35
ENGINE15
SERVICE BRAKES14
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM13
VISIBILITY/WIPER12
STRUCTURE:BODY11
POWER TRAIN10
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS3
AIR BAGS3
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION3
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)2
SEATS2
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS2

Recalls (1)

17V74400021/11/2017

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 muffl

Recent Complaints

20260109ELECTRICAL 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

20251230ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20251230UNKNOWN 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.

20251204ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20251204LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

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.

20251204FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

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.

20251113ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

20251113UNKNOWN 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

20251104ELECTRICAL 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

20251009SEAT BELTS

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

20251007POWER 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.

20250921SEAT BELTS

Unknown

20250921ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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...

20250921ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Unknown The infotainment system started malfunctioning on its own

20250715POWER TRAIN

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.

Mileage: 80,000

20250709EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

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.

Mileage: 50,000

20250604POWER TRAIN

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. T

20250505UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

20250503UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

20250319AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2017 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the air bag connector. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred 9,000 miles later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who again diagnosed a failure with the air bag connector. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 24,000.

Mileage: 24,000

Compare 2017MAZDACX-5 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2017 MAZDA CX-5 have?
The 2017 MAZDA CX-5 has 187 NHTSA complaints, 11 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2017 MAZDA CX-5?
The 2017 MAZDA CX-5 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 4/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2017 MAZDA CX-5?
Yes, the 2017 MAZDA CX-5 has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is TRAILER HITCHES. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 MAZDA CX-5?
The most-complained component for the 2017 MAZDA CX-5 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 40 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and ENGINE.
Is the 2017 MAZDA CX-5 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2017 MAZDA CX-5 has an NHTSA safety rating of 4/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.