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2017 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
83 owner complaints · 2 recalls · data verified July 18, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#63 of 372Among the 2017 models with a matured record, the 2017 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan ranks #63, scoring higher than 82% of them. See the 2017 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
5/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2017 Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 11%
No open NHTSA defect investigations on file.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2017 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Electrical system (20) · Backup camera & sensors (11) · Visibility & wipers (5) · Engine (5)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Electrical system
24%20 complaints · 5 in the last 2 years
“Repeated instances of the Mazda Infotainment system making changes randomly without any user input while driving. Repeated instances of the navigation system freezing,…”
Backup camera & sensors
13%11 complaints · 5 in the last 2 years
“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…”
Brakes
8%7 complaints · typically near 17k mi · 1 in the last 2 years
“52000 miles and warped brake rotors. Car stops fine. No danger just shimmy in steering wheel when stopping. This has happened way too soon. If it’s about Zoom Zoom Zoo…”
Visibility & wipers
6%5 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“I AM CURRENTLY STATIONED OVERSEAS AND CONTACTED MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES FOR ASSISTANCE WITH THE ISSUE. I NEVER RECEIVED A REPLY AND IT HAS BEEN ALMOST A Y…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
We can place 1 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 83 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 6 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (2)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Back Over Prevention · 23V487000
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021 CX-3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image.
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, as necessary. In addition, dealers will install a wiring harness fastening seal. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 13, 2023. Final owner letters for affected models and model years in the states of CT, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA and VA were mailed August 14, 2024. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated on or before May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6023G.
Visibility · 19V272000
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Mazda3 vehicles. A defective windshield wiper relay may cause the windshield wipers to become inoperative, reducing the driver's visibility.
Risk: Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front body control module with a new module which uses an improved wiper relay design, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3219D.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Mazda before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2017 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Owners of this model report electrical system problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any electrical system symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report backup camera & sensors problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any backup camera & sensors symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2017 Mazda MAZDA3 SEDAN beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2017? See how every Mazda3 Sedan model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2017 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.