Reliable Auto DB

2017 Mazda CX-3 reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Mazda CX-3 over 10 years — 1 per year. The other CX-3 years sit at about the same rate: their median is 1 complaints per year. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Camera.

2016 Mazda CX-3
Photo by Vauxford, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

21

Per year

1

Recalls

1

Years on the road

10

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Fuel and propulsion system (8 of 21), then Engine (3) and Electrical system (2). Those filings include 2 that report a crash.

Next to 2016 and 2018

The 2016 CX-3 has 48 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2018 has 10 complaints, 1 per year. The 2017 has fewer complaints per year than the 2016. The 2017 has fewer complaints per year than the 2018.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2017 Mazda CX-3. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (1)

Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2023-07-14 · NHTSA campaign 23V487000
Summary 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.
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.

Complaints by component (21 total)

Fuel and propulsion system
8
Engine
3
Electrical system
2
Speed control
2
Air bags
1
Back-over prevention
1
Exterior lighting
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Fuel system, other
1
Service brakes
1
Steering
1
Structure
1
Visibility
1
Visibility and wipers
1
Show 6 more Show less
Crash-flagged

2

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

0

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

22017320201202162022520233202412025
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Windshield wiper fluid tank leaks when you pour fluid in empty within about an hour"
    Visibility and wipers · filed 2025-03-19
  • "LED speedometer in dash showing incorrect speed or unreadable. Advised of chip malfunction."
    Speed control · filed 2024-07-26
  • "Steering system seems to become unhinged. Something in the steering system is not working properly."
    Steering · filed 2024-06-11
  • "The contact owns a 2017 Mazda CX-3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was…"
    Back-over prevention · filed 2024-04-11
  • "When starting the car in cold weather, the driver assistance system, to include rear camera display, navigation, hands-free voice commands and calling, continuously restarts for close to 15 minutes rendering safe…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2023-12-14

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2017 Mazda CX-3 SUV AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2017 Mazda CX-3 SUV FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
CX-3 two-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 29 34 31 MPG $2100
CX-3 four-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Four-wheel drive 27 32 29 MPG $2250

Specs and fitment

1st generation (DK), 2016–2021
Body styles SUV
Oil 0W-20 , 4.4 qt capacity
Tire size 215/60R16, 215/50R18 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 23V-487 covers certain 2016-2021 Mazda CX-3 vehicles, and also certain Mazda3 models: the rearview camera image may flicker or distort and not display properly. Dealers inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary and install a wiring-harness fastening seal. The campaign's published unit count is shared with the listed Mazda3 years. Recall 16V-203 covers certain 2016 CX-3 vehicles: lower mounting nuts and bolts that secure the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle may need inspection and correction so the strut remains secured.

Compare

Previous year 2016 Mazda CX-3 Next year 2018 Mazda CX-3 See every Mazda CX-3 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Mazda CX-3 reliable?

Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Mazda CX-3 over 10 years — 1 per year. The other CX-3 years sit at about the same rate: their median is 1 complaints per year. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Camera.

What are common problems with a 2017 Mazda CX-3?

The complaints owners file most often name Fuel and propulsion system (8 of 21), then Engine (3) and Electrical system (2). Those filings include 2 that report a crash.

Is the 2017 Mazda CX-3 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2016 CX-3 has 48 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2018 has 10 complaints, 1 per year. The 2017 has fewer complaints per year than the 2016. The 2017 has fewer complaints per year than the 2018.

Has the 2017 Mazda CX-3 been recalled?

The 2017 Mazda CX-3 has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2017 Mazda CX-3?

Owners have filed 21 complaints about the 2017 Mazda CX-3 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2017 Mazda CX-3 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2017 Mazda CX-3 is 30 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Mazda CX-3 use?

U.S. specs commonly list 0W-20 with about 4.4 qt including filter on the SKYACTIV-G engine.

What tire sizes fit the Mazda CX-3?

OE fitment is 215/60R16 or 215/50R18 depending on trim; confirm on the placard.

What NHTSA recalls mention the Mazda CX-3?

Recall 23V-487 covers certain 2016-2021 CX-3 models for rearview camera image issues (shared with Mazda3), and 16V-203 covers certain 2016 CX-3 front strut mounting hardware.