Home · 2017 Mazda Cx-50 · Complaints

What 148 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Mazda Cx-50

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (148)Crash / fire / injury (7)Electrical system (44)Engine (15)Brakes (14)Fuel system (14)Visibility & wipers (13)Body & structure (12)Transmission & drivetrain (11)Speed control (6)Lane Departure (5)Airbags (4)

Newest first · 148 complaints · page 2 of 6

Feb 27, 2025Transmission & drivetrain

Car was making popping noise, got it checked out at mechanic. Said rear differential had metal in the oil.

NHTSA ODI 11645438

Feb 11, 2025

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

NHTSA ODI 11641988

Dec 19, 2024Engine

Coolant leak, caused engine failure

NHTSA ODI 11631652

Oct 14, 2024

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.

NHTSA ODI 11619731

Oct 14, 2024Electrical systemEngineFuel system

Twice now, my 2017 Mazda CX-5 stalled on the highway with a check engine light popping up--both times was driving around 60-70mph for a couple of hours and had about a quarter tank of gas left. The first time, no code was found, but the second time, after a deeper diagnostic, the dealership found a P0192 code. After reading here and many other places online, based on the code and the car's behavior, it really sounds like the Denso low-pressure fuel pump is to blame; that's the source of the recall for 2018 and 2019 Mazda CX-5s experiencing this same issue [XXX] ). If the 2017 model also uses that fuel pump, why isn't it included in the recall? If this dangerous and erratic car behavior is due to a faulty part, it really should be covered by the recall. Shame on you, Mazda. Lives are at risk. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11619748

Sep 19, 2024Electrical system

There is a known issue of "Ghost Touching" on the infotainment system on 2017-2020 Mazda's. The ghost touching causes the infotainment center to randomly self-select options on the screen, which is highly distracting. The following are experiences I've had while driving (sometimes going 70MPH on the interstate), where my infotainment center begins to make selections on it's own: Unpausing paused music Making random phone calls Opening text messages and selecting the reply button Flipping between screens continuously Ending phone calls This is extremely distracting and dangerous. Mazda is aware of this issue. I had my screen replaced in 2020, and replaced with another faulty screen that I now have to get replaced again.

NHTSA ODI 11615488

Sep 12, 2024Electrical system

This car has an issue with 'ghost touches' on the infotainment screen. We had it replaced under warranty in January 2020, and the same issue is happening again. Searches online show this is a widespread problem and Mazda wants to charge $1,000 to fix it this time. It is a distraction, turns music on/off volume up/down and can cause dangerous unexpected distractions.

NHTSA ODI 11614199

Jul 8, 2024Electrical system

Vehicle Infotainment Center - the touch screen will automatically select options and click options while driving, causing a distraction and most recently attempting to enable a child lock. It will do it while the car is both driving and while stopped. It will randomly do it on both the Radio Screen and the Navigation screen.

NHTSA ODI 11600290

Jun 25, 2024

The infotainment system has a known problem called "Ghost Touch". The screen will randomly change from am to fm radio, make phone calls on its own, change screen during navigation. Mazda knows of the issue with this model. This should be a recall as it can severely distract a person while driving. Mazda says this is not under warranty even though I have extended warranty and the millage is only 32,000. Please make this a recall before a serious accident occurs.

NHTSA ODI 11596575

May 27, 2024Engine

Cx 5 2017 mazda. Purchase at the mazda dealership in 2021. Car has been burning oil. At 2000mils my oil level on the dipstick is at the lowest mark. I have to add 1gt oil to bring the mark to the correct level.

NHTSA ODI 11590854

May 11, 2024

The sunroof exploded while driving on the interstate. The noise was terrifying and I didn't know what it was at first so I slid the sunroof cover open a little and glass started coming down. I pulled over the interstate (dangerous in addition to the glass) and the sunroof had exploded. I was not going under an overpass and no vehicles in front of me, nor did I hit anything that kicked up

NHTSA ODI 11588212

Apr 20, 2024Electrical systemLane Departure

The center screen started self selecting on its own, and randomly choosing options that included going into the setting for Adas system and turning stuff off and on.

NHTSA ODI 11584220

Apr 15, 2024Visibility & wipers

Exact same issues as NHTSA Recall No.19V-272 -- Manufacturer Recall No. 3219D. -- Affected P/N: TK52-675XO B

NHTSA ODI 11583185

Apr 13, 2024Electrical system

My touch screen, has been acting up. While driving, the navigation system will automatically change prompts while driving. It will change to music, random dials, consistently change to random dials. I am unable to stop the dials from changing. I have read on the internet people are calling this "ghost touching". The volume will randomly go up high while driving. I am unable to control the volume or prompts. This is dangerous while on the road. I am unable to hear first responders while driving in traffic. This is a huge distraction. Many people I am reading are going through this with their Mazdas... This is costing us more than 3,000 or 4,000 to get fixed. I am unable to get this fixed for this price. I am unable to get a new car.

NHTSA ODI 11582768

Apr 3, 2024Visibility & wipers

The sunroof exploded. Exploded. Sound was shocking. I did not know what it was. The sound of the outside from the sunroof clued me in. The "shade" underneath the sunroof was closed so I did not see it happen.

NHTSA ODI 11580941

Mar 7, 2024Fuel system

18-20 year same model and trim were recalled for fuel pump. Mine a 2017 has same symptoms died on highway going 75 almost life threatening. SEVERAL threads online with 2017 models are stating same case. I believe should be included in recall - very dangerous. Please please escalate so no one gets hurt on the highway!

NHTSA ODI 11576104

Jan 8, 2024AirbagsSeats

While driving my driver airbag warning light started blinking. When I took it to the dealership to be inspected they said the sensor for the driver airbag is in the seat cushion and was not getting enough power for it to turn on, therefore if the light is blinking the airbag is disabled and I would need to replace the entire seat cushion to fix this issue. If the airbag is disabled then I could be seriously injured in the event of an accident when the airbag does not deploy.

NHTSA ODI 11564269

Jan 6, 2024Electrical system

The vehicle display registers false “phantom” touches, causing it to behave erratically. Mazda issued a service bulletin for 2014-2016 Mazda 3 models but this affects most Mazda models through at least 2020 including our 2017 CX-5. Mazda has not acknowledged this for other vehicles. My 2016 Mazda 3had the repair completed under a service bulletin. Unfortunately the dealer will charge a diagnostic fee for this vehicle. Mazda does offer a repair part for this issue, where they previously required complete CMU replacement, so they know it’s a problem. This results in sudden and random changes in volume, navigation, radio, etc with no intervention, causing a significant distraction and safety concern.

NHTSA ODI 11563892

Dec 24, 2023EngineFuel system

My car has been getting the P092 code with check engine light, it runs really rough, i have had many parts replaced at my expense when i know the model years 2018 and 2019 have been recalled, I am many others are having the same issues, is it going to take people dying on highways because their car just shuts off. My cat has been having the same issues reported in safety recall 19V497-6744. after googling around, I may have found an answer. Denso, who makes low pressure fuel pumps for a lot of different manufacturers, recalled several million of them a couple of years ago. They determined that there was a manufacturing defect that causes the pump impellers to crack and deform. Then they don't move enough gas to the front of the engine. I guess there is no pressure sensor between the tank and the high pressure fuel pump, so the problem isn't recognized by the car until the sensor in the fuel rail sees it. Several auto makers have issued recalls, including Mazda. But Mazda only went back as far as 2018. Toyota recalled cars as far back as 2013. There are now several lawsuits against various auto makers arguing that Denso knew about the problem in 2015, and the recalls should go further back in time. These two articles do a good job of covering the history of the problem:

NHTSA ODI 11561715

Dec 14, 2023Electrical system

I have reported this same issue to NHTSA since 2021, and the issue persists to date. Other model years of Mazdas (2017, 2018) including my vehicle have been experiencing "ghost touch". This is an issue that Mazda addressed under a recall for the 2014-2016 models, however, has failed to extend. This poses as severe safety issue as the vehicle randomly increases the volume and will change settings that can either startle the driver and/or make visibility of the cluster impossible especially while driving at night. Please address this issue. There are numerous complaints with this specific year and model alone; but I am certain if searches were conducted on other models, the same issue will be found.

NHTSA ODI 11560091

Nov 22, 2023Tires

A low tire pressure indicator light warning /beep came on the display panel. Soon after, while driving on a busy street, the driver's side front tire suddenly went completely flat all the way to the rim, causing a safety issue.There was no nail or other foreign object in the tire, just very worn out tread. With only 28,346 miles, all four Yokohama Geolandar G 91A P225/65 R17 100H tires have worn tread with the two front tires the worst. I had the two front tires replaced with Advanta 225/65 R17 102H because I didn't want the same Yokohama Geolandar low quality tires. I didn't have at the time, and still don't have the funds to replace the two rear tires, even though the rear tires are losing pressure the same way, which I'm keeping watch on, as the indicator warning doesn't seem to alert me until it is at a critical level. I'm asking for a refund of the two front tires replaced and replacement of the two back tires.Thank-you

NHTSA ODI 11556416

Nov 2, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

Sudden jerking started when driving on a 45miles/hour with vehicle stopping suddenly. The issue was diagnosed by the dealer to be a transmission related and was asked to replace with a new transmission. There was no prior warning.

NHTSA ODI 11553292

Oct 26, 2023Brakes

I got my rear brakes replaced. Within a few days I noticed drag on each of the rear brakes would seize up at times causing excessive heat and a burning smell. When I took it into my local Mazda Service Center, I was told by the Service Manager and the Service Tech that this is a known issue with Mazda CX5s, that when the Mazda is not put into “maintenance mode” when replacing the rear brakes, it can cause damage to the parking brake motors and calipers. They said my vehicle was allegedly put into maintenance mode before brake service and that the issue can still happen even when the precautions are taken. Upon doing some brief online research I am finding that I am far from the first person to experience this unsafe defect. My safety and the safety of those on the road with me are at an extreme risk as my brakes could overheat and fail, causing a deadly accident. I believe this needs to be addressed by the manufacturer on all 2016/2017 CX5 models immediately as more and more are needing rear brake replacements, causing more and more risk on the roadways. Please hold Mazda accountable for this defect in their parking brake mechanism and require them to replace calipers and parking brake motors when performing rear brake replacements, and even better would be to recall all CX5 models to ensure a safe parking brake mechanism is on every vehicle Mazda sells. I was a huge fan of Mazda and planned to purchase more of their vehicles in my lifetime until this incident happened. I always service at authorized Mazda Service Centers to ensure I get expert level service and avoid mistakes or shortcuts being made.

NHTSA ODI 11552140

Sep 28, 2023

I'm deeply concerned about the safety issues with our 2017 Mazda CX-5's infotainment system, VIN [XXX] . This info system is a risk, especially when driving with our child. I believe that a recall for the info system should extend to our vehicle, as it poses a safety risk for all customers. This issue came to my attention when my husband was in Traverse City, MI, during the pandemic 2019-2020, no mazda dealerships there. Now that we've moved back to Hawaii in summer 2022, where there's a Mazda dealership, I had our car inspected. The dealership in Waipahu, Hawaii, informed me that I needed to replace the head unit for $1785 then as it is out of warranty. I find it unfair to bear this cost for a safety issue that isn't my responsibility, mazda said it’s out of their hands. Now the quote is at $2912.32 for the part and totals $3,283.06 with only a 12 month warranty on this new part. This limited 12 month coverage is ridiculous when I will be paying over $3000. The problem has worsened over time, becoming extremely dangerous for my family and everyone else on the road. The info system turns on by itself, doesn’t accept touch commands sometimes, operates on its own, making changes etc. even when not in use, blacks out the screen, then maxing out the volume, and repeatedly playing a loud automated voice “Navigation will be at this volume”. Alternatively, when backing up when this occurs it also dims the back up camera on the info system for the vehicle which is a huge safety concern. The only way to stop it is to turn the car off completely. This is extremely unsafe when I am driving. I've tried to mute or turn off the system while driving, but it quickly turns back on, creating a severe unsafe distraction. I'm concerned that I might face this issue eventually leading to a car accident. I shouldn't have to pay for a safety replacement when I believe this is Mazda's responsibility. This issue is a is a threat to everyone's safety on the road. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11547161

Sep 4, 2023Electrical system

This particular Mazda model has a ghost touch issue with the infotainment system. It will start selecting buttons on its own, which includes changing stations, randomly calling people, hanging up on people, dimming back up camera, changing different settings within the infotainment system. This is a major safety hazard as I have almost gotten in several accidents from this distraction. This has happened so many times that I cannot pinpoint one specific date. Mazda is aware of this because there is a service alert currently for this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11542496

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Working with the data? Download all 148 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 11, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2017 Mazda Cx-50 verdict →