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2009 Mazda CX-7

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Mazda CX-7 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 153.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

35 reports with mileage · 29 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.

  • Suspension. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Engine complaints

12 reports
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98,800 miles · Jan 17, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineVisibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND BOTH REAR WINDOWS FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED GOING UP AND DOWN. THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED DESPITE HAVING THE TIRES CHECKED FOR PROPER TIRE PRESSURE AND FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED TO RESET TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND BOTH REAR WINDOWS FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED GOING UP AND DOWN. THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED DESPITE HAVING THE TIRES CHECKED FOR PROPER TIRE PRESSURE AND FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED TO RESET THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT. ADDITIONALLY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS RESET BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 20 MPH AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR AND OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,800.

NHTSA ODI #11300056

90,600 miles · Oct 7, 2019
Engine

THE MAZDA HAS MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH TURBO BOOSTER FUNCTIONING AND MALFUNCTIONING CAUSING AIR POLLUTION ISSUES WITH BILLOWING WHITE SMOKE FR TAILPIPE, MAZDA DOES NOT WARRANTY THIS BY ONGOING ISSUES WITH SOME REPAIRS HAVING TO BE DONE AS EARLY AS 60000 MILES,. MY CAR IS LESS THAN 100000 MILES WITH EXTENSIVE REPAIR REQUIRED TO RESOL…

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THE MAZDA HAS MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH TURBO BOOSTER FUNCTIONING AND MALFUNCTIONING CAUSING AIR POLLUTION ISSUES WITH BILLOWING WHITE SMOKE FR TAILPIPE, MAZDA DOES NOT WARRANTY THIS BY ONGOING ISSUES WITH SOME REPAIRS HAVING TO BE DONE AS EARLY AS 60000 MILES,. MY CAR IS LESS THAN 100000 MILES WITH EXTENSIVE REPAIR REQUIRED TO RESOLVE ISSUE, REPAIRS AS EXPENSIVE AS 3000 DOLLARS. THE SMOKE IS SO THICK IS IMPAIRS THE VISION OF CARS THAT MAYBE BEHIND VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED AND RESOLVED, CAR OWNERS SHOULD BE MADE AWARE WHEN PURCHASING THESE MAZDA OF THIS HEAVILY UNRELIABLE IMPORTANT PART OF THE VEHICLE TO MAKE THE DECISION BEFOREHAND IF THEY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS SHOULD THEY OCCUR.

NHTSA ODI #11266866

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2018
EngineUnknown Or Other

THE EXHAUST FROM THIS CAR IS HORRIBLE. CAUSING BREATHING ISSUES

NHTSA ODI #11143450

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2017
Engine

TURBO LEAK CAUSING LACK OF POWER. THIS PROBLEM SAID TO COST 2300 DOLLARS AND STILL MAKING PAYMENTS. THE MECHANIC SAID IT CAN CAUSE A FIRE. IT IS ALL OVER INTERNET THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR MOST OWNERS. WHY. I RECALL?

NHTSA ODI #10953911

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2016
Engine

I TOOK MY 2009 MAZDA CX-7 (108,000 MILES) IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TO SEE WHY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON. I WAS INFORMED THE TURBO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THAT I NEEDED TO GET A NEW CAR IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS HESITANT TO LET ME LEAVE IN THE CAR…

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I TOOK MY 2009 MAZDA CX-7 (108,000 MILES) IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TO SEE WHY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON. I WAS INFORMED THE TURBO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THAT I NEEDED TO GET A NEW CAR IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS HESITANT TO LET ME LEAVE IN THE CAR AS IT COULD STOP WORKING AT ANY TIME AND BECAUSE I DO A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF HIGHWAY DRIVING THIS IS PARTICULARLY ALARMING. NO REMEDY WAS OFFERED AND I WAS TOLD IT WASN'T WORTH REPAIRING. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE CX-7 AND A DANGER TO THE DRIVER AND OTHER DRIVERS AROUND WHEN THE CARS STOP WORKING DUE TO THE ISSUES WITH THE TURBO. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED IF SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE WITH SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS.

NHTSA ODI #10925724

100,000 miles · Mar 3, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion System

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, VEHICLE LOST MUCH OF IT'S ACCELERATION, AND BEGAN MAKING A LOUD WHINING NOISE. PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND INVESTIGATED THE NOISE. IT WAS A LOUD WHINING THAT ONLY OCCURRED IN NEUTRAL AND PARK OVER 2500 RPM AND WITH ANY ACCELERATION WHILE IN GEAR. ALSO NOTED YELLOW FOAMY OIL ON THE DIPSTICK WHICH…

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, VEHICLE LOST MUCH OF IT'S ACCELERATION, AND BEGAN MAKING A LOUD WHINING NOISE. PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND INVESTIGATED THE NOISE. IT WAS A LOUD WHINING THAT ONLY OCCURRED IN NEUTRAL AND PARK OVER 2500 RPM AND WITH ANY ACCELERATION WHILE IN GEAR. ALSO NOTED YELLOW FOAMY OIL ON THE DIPSTICK WHICH WAS 4.5 QUARTS LOW BEING VERY CLOSE TO TIME TO GET A CHANGE. TOWED TO THE SHOP TO DISCOVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS BURNING OIL AND THE TURBO HAD GONE BAD. MECHANIC SUSPECTS THAT THE TURBO GOING BAD IS WHAT WAS MOST LIKELY BURNING OIL AND RETAINING WATER IN THE CRANKCASE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10691743

80,310 miles · Feb 6, 2015
Engine

STARTING HEARING A NOISE INITIALLY--NOT SURE WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM BUT THOUGHT IT WAS INTERNAL TO THE ENGINE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY VERIFIED THAT THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART. I CAN NOT REMEMBER THE PART NAME BUT IT WAS CLEAR FROM THE DEALER REP THAT…

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STARTING HEARING A NOISE INITIALLY--NOT SURE WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM BUT THOUGHT IT WAS INTERNAL TO THE ENGINE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY VERIFIED THAT THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART. I CAN NOT REMEMBER THE PART NAME BUT IT WAS CLEAR FROM THE DEALER REP THAT MY CAR WAS ONE OF MANY THEY HAVE REPLACED. I SPENT $1244.00 IN REPAIRS ON MY VEHICLE THAT THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED WAS A FACTORY DEFECT ON MY CAR AND MANY OTHERS. JUST NOT RIGHT *JS

NHTSA ODI #10681809

78,120 miles · Nov 20, 2013
Engine

MY 2009 CX-7 HAS A MAJOR OIL LEAK AT THE OIL COOLER. UPON LEARNING THIS I TURNED TO MY MECHANIC AND THE INTERNET ONLY TO FIND OUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE. THIS DEFECT IS SOMETHING THAT IS ON EVERY MAZDA FORUM AND SHOULD BE MADE A RECALL AND FIXED. THIS IS A VERY WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS TYP…

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MY 2009 CX-7 HAS A MAJOR OIL LEAK AT THE OIL COOLER. UPON LEARNING THIS I TURNED TO MY MECHANIC AND THE INTERNET ONLY TO FIND OUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE. THIS DEFECT IS SOMETHING THAT IS ON EVERY MAZDA FORUM AND SHOULD BE MADE A RECALL AND FIXED. THIS IS A VERY WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS TYPE OF ISSUE AT THIS MILEAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553094

57,007 miles · Feb 27, 2013
EnginePower Train

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. I HEARD A HIGH PITCHED SQUEALING SOUND THEN SMOKE STARTED BLOWING OUT OF MY CAR. I COULD NOT SEE, AND THE OTHER DRIVERS BEHIND ME LOST VISABILITY TOO. IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS BLINDING SMOKE, SURROUNDED BY HUGE TRUCKS, I LOST ACELERATION. MY INSTRUMENTATION PANEL DID NOT HAVE ANY WARNING LIGHTS ON. I…

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I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. I HEARD A HIGH PITCHED SQUEALING SOUND THEN SMOKE STARTED BLOWING OUT OF MY CAR. I COULD NOT SEE, AND THE OTHER DRIVERS BEHIND ME LOST VISABILITY TOO. IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS BLINDING SMOKE, SURROUNDED BY HUGE TRUCKS, I LOST ACELERATION. MY INSTRUMENTATION PANEL DID NOT HAVE ANY WARNING LIGHTS ON. I WAS DRIVING BLIND. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, AND HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP SAID MY TURBO BLEW OUT, (WHICH I GUESS SUCKED ALL THE OIL OUT OF THE CAR) I NEED A VVT VALVE AND THE TIMING CHAIN IS STRETCHED. ON A CAR WITH 57,000 MILES! IN CHECKING ON LINE, I FOUND THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE CX-7 FOR 6 YEARS AND THEY ARE NO LONGER MAKING THIS MODEL. I SEE THAT MAZDA DEALS WITH THESE PROBLEMS BY STATING THE OWNER DID NOT MAINTAIN THE CAR PROPERLY, WHEN IN ACTUALITY, THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE TURBO SYSTEM AND HOW THE OIL COOLS IT. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH "SLUDGE BUILDUP". I BELIEVE MAZDA HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY AVOIDING A RECALL. BUT THESE ISSUES ARE A REAL SAFETY CONCERN. I AM VERY LUCKY THAT THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THIS INCIDENT. THESE ISSUES CAN BE DANGEROUS. WHEN EVERYTHING BLEW ON MY CAR, NO ONE COULD SEE THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500598

839,201 miles · Jan 25, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion System

APPARENTLY THE DESIGN OF THE TURBO AND THE ENGINE CREATES HOT SPOTS IN THE ENGINE, ESPECIALLY IN THE TURBO. THESE HOT SPOT CREATE SLUDGE BUILD UP WHICH EVENTUALLY EFFECTS THE PERFORMANCE AND RELIABILITY OF THE ENGINE. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET SHOWS THIS TO BE A PROBLEM FOR A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. MAZD…

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APPARENTLY THE DESIGN OF THE TURBO AND THE ENGINE CREATES HOT SPOTS IN THE ENGINE, ESPECIALLY IN THE TURBO. THESE HOT SPOT CREATE SLUDGE BUILD UP WHICH EVENTUALLY EFFECTS THE PERFORMANCE AND RELIABILITY OF THE ENGINE. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET SHOWS THIS TO BE A PROBLEM FOR A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. MAZDA HAS REFUSED TO CORRECT THESE PROBLEMS UNDER THEIR WARRANTY. ALSO LACKING BY MAZDA, SINCE IT IS APPARENTLY A MAJOR CAUSE OF LARGE BUILD-UPS OF SLUDGE, IS THE NECESSITY TO IDLE THE ENGINE FOR THREE MINUTES PRIOR TO TURNING OFF. THIS WAS NEVER EXPLAINED TO US WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10494707

Official recalls

5

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.

18V018000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2018

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2013 Mazda6 and CX-9 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 covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2010 Mazda6, CX-7 and CX-9 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 covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 Mazda6, CX-7, and CX-9 vehicles 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 or "Zone C." 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 explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity 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: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.

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.