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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

Equipment complaints

29 reports
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57,000 miles · Aug 7, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK DURING RUSH HOUR. SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT OUTSIDE VEHICLE AND INTO THE CABIN. FEARING AN ENGINE FIRE, PULLED OFF TO LEFT SHOULDER OF HIGHWAY AND SHUT OFF ENGINE. OPENED HOOD (WITH MUCH TREPIDATION) TO OBSERVE PROBLEM. SMOKE CONTINUED TO EMANATE FROM PASSENGER SIDE OF ENGINE COMPAR…

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DRIVING HOME FROM WORK DURING RUSH HOUR. SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT OUTSIDE VEHICLE AND INTO THE CABIN. FEARING AN ENGINE FIRE, PULLED OFF TO LEFT SHOULDER OF HIGHWAY AND SHUT OFF ENGINE. OPENED HOOD (WITH MUCH TREPIDATION) TO OBSERVE PROBLEM. SMOKE CONTINUED TO EMANATE FROM PASSENGER SIDE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT NEAR SERPENTINE BELTS - NO OBVIOUS FIRE. LET VEHICLE SIT FOR 5 MINUTES AND RESTARTED - SAME PROBLEM. SHUT OFF A/C, AND SMOKE AND NOISE DISCONTINUED. IDLED FOR 5 MINUTES - NO MORE APPARENT PROBLEMS WITH A/C OFF. PULLED BACK ON TO HIGHWAY AND CONTINUED TRIP HOME. DID SOME ONLINE INVESTIGATION AND DEDUCED THAT A/C COMPRESSOR HAD SEIZED. ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE OF WIDESPREAD PROBLEM, INCLUDING CATASTROPHIC FAILURES FOR OTHER MAZDA CX7 OWNERS. ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE OF A COMPLETE COMPONENT REDESIGN FOR 2008 MODEL YEAR. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER FOLLOWING MONDAY - A/C COMPRESSOR HAD SEIZED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT TO THE TUNE OF $1300 AT MY COST (12,000 KM OVER WARRANTY). NO HELP FROM THE DEALER, AND NO HELP FROM MAZDA. ZOOM-ZOOM APPEARS TO REPRESENT HOW QUICKLY MAZDA RETREATS FROM CUSTOMER SUPPORT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10347916

51,470 miles · Aug 6, 2010
Equipment

THE SUV BEGAN TO SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN STOPPED TO LOOK AT IT THE BELT HAD BEGAN TO MELT DUE TO THE AC COMPRESSOR LOCKING UP. WHEN WENT TO DEALER TO PURCHASE NEW COMPRESSOR PARTS REP STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ONLINE FOUND SEVERAL REPORTS OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS. CHANGED A/C COMPRESSOR, DR…

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THE SUV BEGAN TO SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN STOPPED TO LOOK AT IT THE BELT HAD BEGAN TO MELT DUE TO THE AC COMPRESSOR LOCKING UP. WHEN WENT TO DEALER TO PURCHASE NEW COMPRESSOR PARTS REP STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ONLINE FOUND SEVERAL REPORTS OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS. CHANGED A/C COMPRESSOR, DRYER RECEIVER, AND BELT. YES THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS COST $420 AND IT WAS $90 TO RECHARGE THE SYSTEM (MAZDA QUOTED $450 FOR LABOR, HUSBAND IS MECHANIC SO HE DONE THE WORK). HAD THE BELT BROKE THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED ME TO BE STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH MY TODDLER IN 100 DEGREE WEATHER. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY ABOUT 50,000 ON IT AND A/C COMPRESSORS SHOULD LAST WAY LONGER THAN THAT. WHEN CALLED MAZDA THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE THE CAR 45 MILES TO THE DEALER PAY FOR AN INSPECTION AND THE DEALER WOULD SEND THEM A REPORT. I WAS NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS FAR SO WE BOUGHT THE PARTS FROM MAZDA AND DONE THE WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10347783

51,600 miles · Jul 8, 2010
Equipment

AIRCONDITIONING CAUSED STRONG BURNING-RUBBER SMELL. BEING AWARE OF NUMEROUS PROBLEMS LEADING TO ENGINE SHUTDOWN WITH POTENTIAL FOR CRASH, SHUT DOWN A/C TO ENABLE 500-MILE DRIVE HOME, THEN TO DEALER, WHO CONFIRMED FAILURE AND REPLACED COMPRESSOR AND SERPENTINE BELT AT COST OF $552.47. MILEAGE AT TIME OF REPLACEMENT WAS ONLY 52,…

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AIRCONDITIONING CAUSED STRONG BURNING-RUBBER SMELL. BEING AWARE OF NUMEROUS PROBLEMS LEADING TO ENGINE SHUTDOWN WITH POTENTIAL FOR CRASH, SHUT DOWN A/C TO ENABLE 500-MILE DRIVE HOME, THEN TO DEALER, WHO CONFIRMED FAILURE AND REPLACED COMPRESSOR AND SERPENTINE BELT AT COST OF $552.47. MILEAGE AT TIME OF REPLACEMENT WAS ONLY 52,132. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342021

85,000 miles · Jul 8, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

A/C CONDENSER FOR AIR CONDITION JUST WENT ON FRIDAY MORNING WENT NEXT DAY SATURDAY TO MAZDA DEALER THEY HAD NO INVENTORY NO BACK ORDER DATE BUT WANTED ME TO GIVE THEM $800. TO HOLD AND ITEM WITH NO ACKNOWLEDGE TO WHEN IT WILL COME IN THEY SAID SINCE IT WENT OUT YESTERDAY MORNING I HAVEN'T REALLY HEARD ANYTHING BAD AND YOU SHOULD…

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A/C CONDENSER FOR AIR CONDITION JUST WENT ON FRIDAY MORNING WENT NEXT DAY SATURDAY TO MAZDA DEALER THEY HAD NO INVENTORY NO BACK ORDER DATE BUT WANTED ME TO GIVE THEM $800. TO HOLD AND ITEM WITH NO ACKNOWLEDGE TO WHEN IT WILL COME IN THEY SAID SINCE IT WENT OUT YESTERDAY MORNING I HAVEN'T REALLY HEARD ANYTHING BAD AND YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO DRIVE FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS, LIFTED THERE ABOUT 30 MIN HEADING TO MAKE SOME ERRANDS WITH MY 2 BOYS, FRONT HOOD STARTING SMOKING VERY WHICH SMOKE AND SMELT BURNING PULLED OVER WAITED I CALLED THEM THEY SAID OH, THIS MEANS THAT YOU ENGINE BELT BROKE AND YOUR ENGINE IS FROZEN. $1400. TO REPAIR 2007 CX07 (NOTHING BUT ISSUES). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342016

42,000 miles · May 18, 2010
EquipmentFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL TICKING NOISE. THERE WAS ALSO SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND IT BEGAN CIRCULATING THROUGHOUT THE AIR VENTS INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND UPON FURTHER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL TICKING NOISE. THERE WAS ALSO SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND IT BEGAN CIRCULATING THROUGHOUT THE AIR VENTS INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION OBSERVED SPARKS UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT DEACTIVATED THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH NO ADDITIONAL FAILURES. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE OPERATING THE AIR CONDITIONER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS REPAIRING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

NHTSA ODI #10331031

37,000 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2007 MAZDA CX-7 A FEW YEARS AGO, AND OVER THE LAST THREE MONTHS IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP WITH MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. FROM AN OIL LEAK, TO A BAD COMPRESSOR, THEN THE TIMING CHAIN GONE BAD AND NOW ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE EGR. THE CAR HAS A LITTLE OVER 38K MILES AND TO ME IT SEEMS VERY ODD FOR A CAR BEING THIS…

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MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2007 MAZDA CX-7 A FEW YEARS AGO, AND OVER THE LAST THREE MONTHS IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP WITH MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. FROM AN OIL LEAK, TO A BAD COMPRESSOR, THEN THE TIMING CHAIN GONE BAD AND NOW ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE EGR. THE CAR HAS A LITTLE OVER 38K MILES AND TO ME IT SEEMS VERY ODD FOR A CAR BEING THIS YOUNG IN MILES, TO HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS SUCH AS THESE. AFTER GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH THE MAZDA CORPORATE OFFICE, THEY FIRST AGREED TO PAY FOR THE PARTS FOR MY LATEST PROBLEMS SINCE I'M NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. I WAS FINE WITH THAT UNTIL I FOUND OUT THE LABOR WAS OVER $500 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. WHEN I CALL THE CORPORATE OFFICE TO TRY TO DISCUSS SPLITTING THE LABOR COSTS, THEIR SUPERVISOR CONTACTED ME BACK WITH AN ATTITUDE LIKE I DID SOMETHING WRONG AND DECIDED THEY WERE NOW NOT GOING TO HELP AT ALL. THAT IS JUST POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE BEHIND A VEHICLE THAT WAS NOT READY TO BE PUT ON OUR US ROADWAYS. IN MY OPINION, THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED. AFTER REVIEWING SOME OF THE FORUMS, MANY OTHERS AGREE WITH MY DISPLEASURE IN THE PROBLEMS WITH THE MAZDA CX-7--CHECK THIS LINKHTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F0E5B59/110. THANK YOU. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10306088

49,000 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFire

I JUST GOT A MAZDA CX 7 4 MONTHS AGO. THE A/C SYSTEM IS FRIED. THE FACTORY WARRANTY WAS NO GOOD AND I HAVE TO PAY$1900. PLEASE I AM READ THESE ARTICLES AND DO NOT BUY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304916

56,000 miles · Dec 16, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

I HAVE A MAZDA CX-7 2007. IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS I HAD TO REPLACE AC CONDENSER TWICE. IT LOCKED UP AND STARTED SMOKING. AND THE CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE. NOW THEY HAVE 300 BACK ORDERS FOR THIS PART BEFORE I CAN FIX MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296089

87,000 miles · Oct 1, 2009
EquipmentFire

ABOUT A YEAR(8/21/08) AFTER PURCHASE (NEW) MY '07 CX-7 A/C WENT OUT(THE COMPRESSOR) 49,000MI AND OF COURSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. IT WOULD BE A LITTLE EASIER TOO SWALLOW IF IT WAS JUST ONE PART BUT NO IT USUALLY ENDS IN MOST OF THE SYSTEM BEING REPLACED! THE MAZDA TECH TOLD US THAT THE COMPRESSOR CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILED/IMPLODE…

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ABOUT A YEAR(8/21/08) AFTER PURCHASE (NEW) MY '07 CX-7 A/C WENT OUT(THE COMPRESSOR) 49,000MI AND OF COURSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. IT WOULD BE A LITTLE EASIER TOO SWALLOW IF IT WAS JUST ONE PART BUT NO IT USUALLY ENDS IN MOST OF THE SYSTEM BEING REPLACED! THE MAZDA TECH TOLD US THAT THE COMPRESSOR CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILED/IMPLODED AND WAS IN FACT GLOWING RED/BURNING INSIDE THE HOUSING. THE FAILED FRAGMENTS ENTERED THE A/C'S SYSTEM AND BASICALLY RUINED THE OTHER PARTS. AFTER GOING ROUND AND ROUND WITH MAZDA CORP. THEY COVERED SOME (COMPESSOR AND A $500 GIFT CARD) WITHOUT MENTION OF FAULT (GO FIGURE!). I REALLY HAD TO STAY ON THEM TO DO ANYTHING. THEY WERE VERY RELUCTANT, EVEN THEN IT COST ME $700! I PAYED MY HALF AND HAD IT REPAIRED AT TIM MARBURGER MAZDA(OUT OF BUSINESS NOW). MY WIFE DOES A LOT OF TRAVEL TO/FROM WORK AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW, ON 9/25/09 AT @87,000 THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN!!!!! NOW, I'M TRUELY PISSED! NOT SURE EVEN IF I HAVE OPTIONS AT THIS POINT. I'M READY TO TAKE THE HIT ON A TRADE IN VALUE OF MY CAR. I FEEL THIS MAY BE A YEARLY OCCURENCE AND I CAN NOT AFFORD IT! IN THE TWO YEARS WE'VE HAD THE CAR/SUV I HAVE HAD NOW 2 A/C COMPLETE FAILURES, 1 BAD IDLER PULLEY, JUST WAITING FOR THE NEXT THING BEFORE I CAN GET RID OF IT. YOU KNOW I TRADED IN A '01 CHEVY TAHOE W/ 225,000 AND NEVER HAD ANY KIND OF PROBLEMS LIKE THIS JUST MINOR UP KEEP THAT I EXPECTED! WE WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER MAZDA AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285921

39,700 miles · Aug 15, 2009
Equipment

I DRIVE A 2007 MAZDA CX-7. DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, I NOTICED MY AIR CONDITIONING WAS NOT AS COLD AS IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN. I PULLED OFF THE INTERSTATE AND CAME TO A STOP WHERE I NOTICED WHITE SMOKE FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY HOOD, I HEARD A LOUD AND UNPLEASANT NOISE AS WELL AS A HORRIBLE SMELL COMING FROM MY CAR. I WAS ABLE …

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I DRIVE A 2007 MAZDA CX-7. DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, I NOTICED MY AIR CONDITIONING WAS NOT AS COLD AS IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN. I PULLED OFF THE INTERSTATE AND CAME TO A STOP WHERE I NOTICED WHITE SMOKE FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY HOOD, I HEARD A LOUD AND UNPLEASANT NOISE AS WELL AS A HORRIBLE SMELL COMING FROM MY CAR. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR BACK TO MY RESIDENCE; HOWEVER, AFTER TURNING MY CAR OFF IT WOULD NO LONGER START. I HAD TO TOW MY CAR TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. TURNS OUT THE AIR COMPRESSOR LOCKED UP AND THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIR COMPRESSOR IS $900+. MY CAR HAS NOT YET TURNED 40,000 MILES. AFTER A COUPLE INTERNET SEARCHES (WWW.EDMUNDS.COM) IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THIS INSTANCE OF THE AIR COMPRESSOR LOCKING UP AND MAKING THE AUTOMOBILE UNUSABLE IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY PARTICULAR MODEL AND YEAR CAR. ALL OF THE SITUATIONS I READ ABOUT WERE ALSO ON CARS WITH LOW MILEAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280501

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.