Owner complaints, recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings from public NHTSA and EPA data, updated Oct 17, 2026.
Fuel economy
28–32 mpgcombined; city 25–28, highway 33–37; every version of this model year
Five years of fuel
$10,150–$11,600U.S. average; Ohio $9,070–$10,370 at local prices; every version of this model year; fuel only, not other costs of owning it; 15,000 miles a year, at EIA fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026
NHTSA's VIN data lists these trims for the 2017 Mazda3. A trim's engine and numbers are shown as its own only where EPA names versions after the trim and no other version could be it; "seen with" means a source shows that engine on the trim, not that it was the only one. Recalls and complaints cover the whole model year: whether a recall applies to a car depends on its VIN, on NHTSA's recall lookup.
Owners have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Mazda3. These are unverified owner reports, counted by the part of the car they name; one complaint can name several parts. Counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so they don't show how reliable a car is.
Complaints by part of the car
Part
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Unknown or other
27
1
0
1
Electrical system
20
0
0
0
Back over prevention
11
0
0
0
Service brakes
7
4
0
1
Engine
5
1
0
0
Visibility/wiper
5
0
0
0
Structure
4
1
0
0
Forward collision avoidance
3
1
0
1
Fuel/propulsion system
3
0
0
0
Power train
3
0
0
0
Suspension
3
1
0
0
Wheels
3
0
0
0
8 more parts
Air bags
2
0
0
0
Steering
2
1
0
0
Vehicle speed control
2
1
0
0
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
0
0
0
Equipment
1
0
0
0
Exterior lighting
1
0
0
0
Lane departure
1
0
0
0
Seats
1
0
0
0
Complaints by model year
Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts aren't adjusted for sales, so a shorter bar doesn't mean a more reliable year.
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2017 Mazda3 over its history. Campaigns are matched by model and year, so each one may apply to a given car, and its repair may already be done: check a VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for the open recalls on that exact car.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Carmakers sent NHTSA 510 service bulletins and notices that cover the 2017 Mazda3, the latest on Sep 11, 2026. They tell dealers how to fix known issues.
The parts they mention most: electrical system (166), equipment (158), engine and engine cooling (51), equipment adaptive/mobility (43), power train (40).
NHTSA hasn't opened a defect investigation that covers this model year.
Maintenance
Oil
The owner's manual gives the oil and how often to change it. We show oil facts only once we've checked them against the manual, and we haven't yet for the 2017 Mazda3.
EPA class: compact cars. EPA greenhouse gas score: 6–7 out of 10. Each version EPA tested:
Swipe the table sideways for more columns.
Version
Engine
Transmission
Fuel
City / hwy / comb
3 4-Door Front-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl
Automatic (S6)
Regular Gasoline
28 / 37 / 32
3 4-Door Front-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl
Manual 6-spd
Regular Gasoline
27 / 37 / 31
3 4-Door Front-Wheel Drive
2.5 L, 4 cyl
Automatic (S6)
Regular Gasoline
28 / 37 / 31
3 4-Door Front-Wheel Drive
2.5 L, 4 cyl
Automatic (S6)
Regular Gasoline
27 / 36 / 30
3 4-Door Front-Wheel Drive
2.5 L, 4 cyl
Manual 6-spd
Regular Gasoline
25 / 34 / 29
3 5-Door Front-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl
Manual 6-spd
Regular Gasoline
27 / 37 / 31
3 5-Door Front-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl
Automatic (S6)
Regular Gasoline
28 / 37 / 31
3 5-Door Front-Wheel Drive
2.5 L, 4 cyl
Automatic (S6)
Regular Gasoline
26 / 35 / 30
3 5-Door Front-Wheel Drive
2.5 L, 4 cyl
Manual 6-spd
Regular Gasoline
25 / 33 / 28
Sources and dates
U.S. EPA fuel economy data, file of Sep 29, 2026
NHTSA owner complaints, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA recalls, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA manufacturer communications, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA defect investigations, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, file of Aug 7, 2026
U.S. Energy Information Administration, file of Oct 12, 2026
Fuel cost: EPA mpg with fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026 and electricity prices for Jul 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Oct 2026). Complaints are unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA. About the data