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2007 Mazda CX-7

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most CX-7 years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Mazda CX-7 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 153.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

424 reports with mileage · 104 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 206 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 112 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 102 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports30 fire reports10 injury reports

Engine complaints

112 reports
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68,400 miles · Sep 16, 2012
Engine

THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 95. THE VEHICLE WAS SAFELY MOVED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE OPENED AT A COST OF $500 TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. …

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THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 95. THE VEHICLE WAS SAFELY MOVED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE OPENED AT A COST OF $500 TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THEY SUSPECTED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN. AFTER CONSULTING WITH MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE, I WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MAZDA DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THOMPSON MAZDA IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN AND THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. MAZDA HAD PROVIDE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE TIMING CHAIN FOR 7 YEARS OR 70,000 MILES. THE WARRANTY INDICATED THAT IF THERE WAS A TIMING CHAIN NOISE TO BRING INTO A MAZDA DEALER TO HAVE IT SERVICED UNDER THE WARRANTY. AT NO TIME WAS THERE A NOISE EXPERIENCED FROM THE ENGINE. MAZDA ALSO INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO HAVE SERVICE RECORDS TO BE COVERED. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED IN APRIL 2011 WE ONLY HAD OUR SERVICE RECORDS AND THE CAR FAX SERVICE RECORDS. MAZDA INDICATED THAT BECAUSE THERE WAS A GAP IN THE SERVICE RECORDS, BETWEEN 31000 MILES (THE LAST RECORD SHOWN BY CAR FAX) AND 54000 MILES (WHEN WE HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE), THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF REPLACING THE ENGINE. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT MAZDA KNEW THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE TIMING CHAIN AND HAD THEY BEEN PROACTIVE IN RECALLING THE VEHICLE AND REPLACING THE TIMING CHAIN THE ENGINE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A MORE SIGNIFICANT COST OF $7,200. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475561

80,000 miles · Sep 10, 2012
Engine

FELT SLIGHT JOLT, AND IMMEDIATELY LESS POWER, THEN ENGINE JUST STOPPED. MY OPINION IS THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FIRST "JUMPED" A TOOTH, THEN FAILED ALTOGETHER. I WAS ABLE TO COAST SAFELY OFF TO THE SHOULDER, WHERE I CALLED FOR A TOW. CAR WAS FLATBEDDED BACK TO THE DEALER AT MY REQUEST, AS THEY HAVE DONE ALL WORK ON THE CAR SINCE …

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FELT SLIGHT JOLT, AND IMMEDIATELY LESS POWER, THEN ENGINE JUST STOPPED. MY OPINION IS THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FIRST "JUMPED" A TOOTH, THEN FAILED ALTOGETHER. I WAS ABLE TO COAST SAFELY OFF TO THE SHOULDER, WHERE I CALLED FOR A TOW. CAR WAS FLATBEDDED BACK TO THE DEALER AT MY REQUEST, AS THEY HAVE DONE ALL WORK ON THE CAR SINCE DAY 1. DEALER STATED SEVERAL DAYS LATER THAT ENGINE HAD NO COMPRESSION IN TWO OF THE FOUR CYLINDERS, AND A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE WOULD BE REQUIRED AT A COST OF $6400.00. LATER, HAVING RESEARCHED THIS, IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND SERIOUSLY PREMATURE FOR THIS MILEAGE AND FOR A CAR DRIVEN MODERATELY AND ON WHICH ALL RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PERFORMED (BY THIS DEALER). I STATED MAZDA SHOULD STAND BEHIND THIS AND CONTRIBUTE ALL OR PART OF THE REPAIR BILL. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, DEALER STATES MAZDA REFUSED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10474549

76,500 miles · Sep 5, 2012
EnginePower Train

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN A BACKROAD HIGHWAY GOING 60 WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STOPPED. THERE WAS NO NOTICE, NO NOISE NOTHING. THE POS WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP. THE LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND SAID "TIMING CHAIN..$3000". OK, NOT WHAT WE EXPECTED BUT FINE, FIX IT. 24 HOURS LATER, THEY CALLED TO ADVI…

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MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN A BACKROAD HIGHWAY GOING 60 WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STOPPED. THERE WAS NO NOTICE, NO NOISE NOTHING. THE POS WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP. THE LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND SAID "TIMING CHAIN..$3000". OK, NOT WHAT WE EXPECTED BUT FINE, FIX IT. 24 HOURS LATER, THEY CALLED TO ADVISE THAT THE ENGINE IS BLOWN $7000. I CONTACT THE MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE ( AKA PEOPLE WHO ARE TRAINED TO TELL YOU THAT YOU ARE SOL) TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY RECALL OR ANY OTHER THINGS THAT MAY COVER THIS. NO, NOTHING BUT A EXTENSION WAS MAILED JAN 2012 TO ADVISE THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS EXTENDED FOR REPAIR. NO NOTICE WAS RECEIVED AND THE ADDRESS THEY HAD ON FILE WAS CORRECT. SO HERE WE SIT WITH A WORTHLESS POS THAT NOBODY WANTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. I WOULD RATHER HAVE IT SIT IN THE DRIVE WAY AND WE SHARE 1 VEHICLE THAN PUT 7000 INTO THIS CAR. I SEE THAT WE ARE NOT THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY MAZDA. HAS ANYONE CALLED RECENTLY INTO CUSTOMER SERVICE TO HEAR THE LIST OF RECALL NOTICES? IT TAKE 8 MINS FOR THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM TO LIST THEM ALL. THIS COMPANY NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT'S WORTHLESS MACHINES! IF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT EVER COMES OUT, I WILL JOIN IN A HEARTBEAT. CAN THE NHTSA PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS? I KNOW THAT WE ARE NOT THE ONLY PEOPLE ... NO TIME IN LIFE SHOULD AN ENGINE NEED TO BE REPAIRED WITH ONLY 76K ON IT!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10473927

55,000 miles · Aug 31, 2012
Engine

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN HE SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD WHINING NOISE THEN LOST POWER. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER, HE NOTICED IT WAS SMOKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10473222

55,080 miles · Aug 30, 2012
Engine

MY MAZDA BEGAN MAKING A CLANGING SOUND AT IGNITION. I TOOK THE MAZDA TO SUSSMAN MAZDA IN ABINGTON, PA. I WAS TOLD THAT THOUGHT THE WARRANT 5 YRS/60,000 MILES HAD EXPIRED. HOWEVER, MAZDA HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE VVT ACTUATOR AND TIMING CHAIN DUE TO THIS BEING A KNOW PROBLEM. I WAS ASKED TO PRODUCE ALL MAINTENANCE RECORDS …

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MY MAZDA BEGAN MAKING A CLANGING SOUND AT IGNITION. I TOOK THE MAZDA TO SUSSMAN MAZDA IN ABINGTON, PA. I WAS TOLD THAT THOUGHT THE WARRANT 5 YRS/60,000 MILES HAD EXPIRED. HOWEVER, MAZDA HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE VVT ACTUATOR AND TIMING CHAIN DUE TO THIS BEING A KNOW PROBLEM. I WAS ASKED TO PRODUCE ALL MAINTENANCE RECORDS ON THE CAR. I DID NOT HAVE EVERY SINGLE SERVICE RECORD AND WAS DENIED REPAIR BY MAZDA. I CALLED THE MAZDA CORPORATE OFFICE AND SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE. THE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT MY CLAIM WAS DENIED. I ASKED TO SPEAK WITH A SUPERVISOR BUT I WAS DENIED. I CALLED BACK AND WAS TOLD THAT A SUPERVISOR WOULD CALL ME BACK ON 08/30/12. IT IS 10PM AND NO ONE HAS CALLED ME BACK. IT APPEARS THAT MAZDA IS DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE NOT TO REPAIR A KNOWN DEFECT ON THE MAZDA CX7. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINT ONLINE OF MANY CX7 OWNERS GOING THROUGH THE SAME SITUATION THAT I HAVE. I CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR DUE TO FEAR OFF THE TIMING CHAIN FAILING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10473111

115,000 miles · Aug 30, 2012
Engine

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, LOUD TICKING AND WHIRRING SOUND CAME FROM ENGINE. BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM REAR TAILPIPES AND WHITE SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STOPPED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10473104

60,598 miles · Aug 28, 2012
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK 8/23/12, MY HUSBAND NOTICED THAT THE A/C WAS NOT COOLING AND THAT THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A SQUEALING NOISE. HE STATED THAT THE A/C COMPRESSOR WAS FAILING. FORTUNATELY FOR US, HE MADE IT HOME SAFELY. IF IT FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR (OR HE) COULD HAVE DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERS…

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WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK 8/23/12, MY HUSBAND NOTICED THAT THE A/C WAS NOT COOLING AND THAT THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A SQUEALING NOISE. HE STATED THAT THE A/C COMPRESSOR WAS FAILING. FORTUNATELY FOR US, HE MADE IT HOME SAFELY. IF IT FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR (OR HE) COULD HAVE DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE.WE HAD RECEIVED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY NOTICE FOR THE A/C COMPRESSOR. SO, WE TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP/SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT WE HAD JUST EXCEEDED OUR WARRANTY COVERAGE. OUR VEHICLE TURNED 5 YEARS OLD ON 6/30/12 AND HAS 60,598 MILES. HE STATED THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO CONTACT THE MAZDA CORPORATE OFFICE TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE. THE CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT OUR DEALERSHIP AND TAKE THE MATTER UNDER REVIEW. SHE STATED THAT IF THEY DENIED THE CLAIM THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE AT MAZDA THAT WOULD DISCUSS THIS WITH US. I AGREE WITH OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED TO DATE...APPARENTLY, SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE ANYONE ISSUES A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10472842

79,000 miles · Aug 25, 2012
Engine

I DROVE 200 MILES STOPPED THE CAR TO GET SOMETHING TO EAT, WHEN I RESTARTED IT A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE CAME FROM ENGINE AND WOULDN'T STOP. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND IT WAS TOWED 2 DAYS LATER BECAUSE IT HAPPENED ON A SATURDAY NIGHT. IT TOOK 3DAYS FOR IT TO BE FIXED AND I'M NOT SURE IT IS RUNNING PROPERLY. I ALSO HAD THE TIMIN…

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I DROVE 200 MILES STOPPED THE CAR TO GET SOMETHING TO EAT, WHEN I RESTARTED IT A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE CAME FROM ENGINE AND WOULDN'T STOP. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND IT WAS TOWED 2 DAYS LATER BECAUSE IT HAPPENED ON A SATURDAY NIGHT. IT TOOK 3DAYS FOR IT TO BE FIXED AND I'M NOT SURE IT IS RUNNING PROPERLY. I ALSO HAD THE TIMING CHAIN REPLACED AT 60,000 MILES. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER MAZDA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10472478

78,590 miles · Aug 20, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING OVER 20 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY TURBO ENGINE CHARGER WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING OVER 20 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY TURBO ENGINE CHARGER WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,590.

NHTSA ODI #10471577

45,991 miles · Aug 5, 2012
Engine

WHILE DRIVING WITH MY AC (AIR CONDITIONING) ON, IT SUDDENLY STARTED BLOWING WARM AIR. THE CAR FILLED UP WITH A BURNT TIRE LIKE SMELL AND I QUICKLY TURNED THE AIR CONDITIONING OFF. AFTER GIVING IT A FEW MINUTES AND PARKING MY CAR ON A SHOULDER LANE, I TURNED THE AIR CONDITIONING BACK ON TO SEE IF IT'S GOING TO START WORKING AGAIN…

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WHILE DRIVING WITH MY AC (AIR CONDITIONING) ON, IT SUDDENLY STARTED BLOWING WARM AIR. THE CAR FILLED UP WITH A BURNT TIRE LIKE SMELL AND I QUICKLY TURNED THE AIR CONDITIONING OFF. AFTER GIVING IT A FEW MINUTES AND PARKING MY CAR ON A SHOULDER LANE, I TURNED THE AIR CONDITIONING BACK ON TO SEE IF IT'S GOING TO START WORKING AGAIN (WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING). MY AC WAS STILL BLOWING WARM AIR BUT NOW THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE WHAT APPEARED TO BE COMING FROM THE ENGINE ALONG WITH THE BURNT TIRE LIKE SMELL. I DECIDED TO RETURN HOME AND HAVE MY HUSBAND TAKE A LOOK AT IT BEFORE I CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE TO FIX IT. AS MY HUSBAND OPEN THE HOOD OF THE CX7 AND I TURNED ON THE AC THERE APPEARED TO BE ALOT OF SPARKS COMING FROM THE AC AIR COMPRESSOR, RIGHT BESIDE THE ENGINE. THIS LOOKS AS IF IT CAN POTENTIONALLY SET ON FIRE. MAZDA DID SEND OUT A WARRENTY EXTENSION LETTER (SSP 81) BACK IN 2010 FOR THIS VERY SAME ISSUE. THIS WARRANTY EXTENSION WAS COVERING VEHICLES UP TO 5 YEARS/60000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10469233

Official recalls

4

19V782000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Oct 31, 2019

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2012 CX-7, CX-9, and 2009-2012 Maza6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V356 and 17V012.

17V457000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jul 18, 2017

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2012 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2007-2008 CX-7 and CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recall 17V-012.

17V429000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jun 29, 2017

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Mazda6, and 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recall 16V356 and all vehicles that were not remedied under that campaign are now covered by this one.

16V593000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

Aug 11, 2016

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Mazda CX-7 vehicles manufactured February 14, 2006, to May 9, 2012. In the affected vehicles, water may enter the front suspension ball joint fittings. If the water is contaminated with salt, such as from driving on snowy roads that have been treated, the ball joint may corrode and separate from the lower control arm, resulting in a loss of steering control.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower control arms, free of charge. As a priority, Mazda will first address all affected 2007-2008 vehicles as well as 2009-2011 vehicles currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia. West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The remaining vehicles will be addressed as parts are available. The recall began September 20, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9716H.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.