IllustrationTHE PAINT CHIPS VERY EASILY. THE HOOD IS VERY PITTED. TITANIUM FLASH PEARL. THIS PAINT COLOR WAS AN EXTRA COST TOO. SINCE INITIAL OWNERSHIP, IT HAS JUST BECOME SO BAD OVER THE OWNERSHIP PERIOD, THAT I CAN'T TOUCH IT UP ANY MORE. EXTREMELY RELIABLE CAR OTHERWISE. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW.
2017 Mazda MAZDA3
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2017 Mazda MAZDA3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 108.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all MAZDA3 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
160–25K
1225–50K
550–75K
175–100K
0100–150K
0150K+
34 reports with mileage · 49 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Back Over Prevention. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
Structure complaints
4 reportsI AM NOTICING EXCESSIVE PAINT CHIPS ON THE HOOD AND FRONT FENDERS OF MY 2017 MAZDA 3. THE PAINT IS: SOUL RED CRYSTAL PAINT. I HAVE NOT NOTICED OR HEARD ROAD DEBRIS HIT THE CAR. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 23000 MILES. THE PAINT SEEMS VERY THIN. I HAVE NOTICED OTHER MAZDA OWNERS WITH THIS PAINT HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES. PERHAPS THESE CARS…
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I AM NOTICING EXCESSIVE PAINT CHIPS ON THE HOOD AND FRONT FENDERS OF MY 2017 MAZDA 3. THE PAINT IS: SOUL RED CRYSTAL PAINT. I HAVE NOT NOTICED OR HEARD ROAD DEBRIS HIT THE CAR. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 23000 MILES. THE PAINT SEEMS VERY THIN. I HAVE NOTICED OTHER MAZDA OWNERS WITH THIS PAINT HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES. PERHAPS THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND BE REPAINTED. I HAVE SUBMITTED A PHOTO - THERE IS ONE DENT RIGHT FRONT FENDER FROM A ROCK THAT DID HIT THE CAR OVER A YEAR AGO, BUT THE CHIPS WERE NOT THERE.
THIS GOES WITH PREVIOUS FORM TGE OTHER THING IS THAT MY DOOR FLEW OF ON FREEWAY RIGHT BEFORE IT JERKED LIKE STATED IN OTHER FORM MY CAR HAD JUST BEEN FIXED FROM SAME DOORS AND NOW ONE FLIES OF CAR DOINGB80 MILES PER HR ON I15 IN NEVADA CAUSIN THE ACCIDENT I HAD I FEEL REPAIR SHOP NEEDS TO COVER THE COST OF ACCIDENT
WINDSHIELD HAS MULTIPLE RIPPLES FROM THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE PILLARS TO 6 INCHES IN. THIS CONDITION CAUSES EYE STRAIN WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TO LOOK OUT OF THE SIDE WINDOW TO CLEAR/ RESET MY EYES, THEN, LOOK THOUGH THE RIPPLED WINDSHIELD. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE DAY 1 (2 MONTHS IN) AND NO RESOLUTION. POTENT…
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WINDSHIELD HAS MULTIPLE RIPPLES FROM THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE PILLARS TO 6 INCHES IN. THIS CONDITION CAUSES EYE STRAIN WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TO LOOK OUT OF THE SIDE WINDOW TO CLEAR/ RESET MY EYES, THEN, LOOK THOUGH THE RIPPLED WINDSHIELD. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE DAY 1 (2 MONTHS IN) AND NO RESOLUTION. POTENTIAL CAUSE FOR ACCIDENT DUE TO HAVING TO NOT FACE FORWARD. ISSUE OCCURS AT ANY STAGE OF OPERATION, DAY TIME IS WORSE THAN NIGHT. WEATHER CONDITIONS NO NOT CHANGE ISSUE.
Official recalls
223V487000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Jul 14, 2023
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: 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.
19V272000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
Apr 4, 2019
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of crash.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.