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Mazda MX-5Model year report

2017 Mazda MX-5 Problems

Complaints
11filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
8,150miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
29 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl RWD · 26 city / 33 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2017 Mazda MX-5 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2017 Mazda MX-5. The part named most often is visibility, with 4 complaints (36% of the total), followed by steering (2) and air bags (1). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 8,150 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 415 technical service bulletins for this model year. Visibility complaints overlap with 15 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Steering complaints overlap with 9 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “At 8300 miles this car has dozens of rock chips in the windshield, most of which were picked up from driving on relatively clean interstates and some of which have begun to spiderweb. I believe that the glass on this vehicle is abnormally susceptible to picking up chips from rocks which will in time create stress risers and cause the windshield to fail prematurely. I talked to a Mazda rep and they said that there were no recalls on this vehicle nor was the windshield covered by the factory warranty. They directed me to take my complaint to my insurance company. …”

NHTSA complaint #11186624, filed 2019-03, 8,300 miles

Steering: “While making a right turn, suddenly lost all steering with car going straight across lane. Power steering malfunction warning light appeared, then steering returned. Dsc malfunction warning light remained on and TPMS malfunction warning light remained on. If there was a car in opposite lane, would have ran into. Once car was restarted, all warnings disappeared. Bringing into dealer 5/11.”

NHTSA complaint #10984603, filed 2017-05, 915 miles

Brakes: “Front brembo brakes locked after car is parked overnight. It unlocked after I force the car forward. It releases with a loud snap. This occurs 2 or 3 times a month. Car drives fine. Dealer has no solution. Dealer requests overnight assessment unfortunately this occurs without predictability.”

NHTSA complaint #11155218, filed 2018-11, 9,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 5,000 and 9,000 miles.

83%0–1017%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 8,150 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20172201822019220242025220262
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2017 Mazda MX-5 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
MX-5 RWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed manual263329$2,850
MX-5 RWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed automatic263529$2,850

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2017 Mazda MX-5 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 415 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 415 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mazda MX-5

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2024514,4081—29—Too new
20237—1—30—Too new
2022514,0001—30—Not enough data
20191124,1103—30—Not enough data
2017118,1502—29—Not enough data
20163421,8293—30Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
201468000—24—Not enough data
201254500—24—Not enough data
2008740,0000—24—Not enough data
20071711,8760—24—Stable
20062520,0001—24Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Mazda MX-5 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2017 Mazda MX-5 have?

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2017 Mazda MX-5 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2017 Mazda MX-5 is reported most often?

Visibility is named most often, in 4 complaints (36% of the total), followed by steering with 2.

Has the 2017 Mazda MX-5 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2017 Mazda MX-5 get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Mazda MX-5 (MX-5, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 29 mpg combined, 26 city and 33 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2017 Mazda MX-5 reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 8,150 miles and the middle half falls between 5,000 and 9,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.