NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
22 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · May 1, 2024
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
Low beam headlamps are extremely dim. Have bought new replacement headlamps and are still very dim. Bought both replacement headlamp housings thinking wiring could be compromised but that didn't help either. Replacing headlamps is difficult due to having to remove either the front tires OR the front entire bumper assembly to swi…
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Low beam headlamps are extremely dim. Have bought new replacement headlamps and are still very dim. Bought both replacement headlamp housings thinking wiring could be compromised but that didn't help either. Replacing headlamps is difficult due to having to remove either the front tires OR the front entire bumper assembly to switch out lamps. No fog lights are present on this model so makes driving at night very difficult. and unsafe.
NHTSA ODI #11586279
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2023
Exterior Lighting
Recently got this car and am fixing it up. Vehicle's headlights function but are dysfunctional. Night driving is impossible as per nearly nonexistent illumination of roadway. Don't know how to fix/upgrade. Wanted to give this vehicle to my Florida student but now hesitate as Florida's roadways are not illuminated. Have seen…
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Recently got this car and am fixing it up. Vehicle's headlights function but are dysfunctional. Night driving is impossible as per nearly nonexistent illumination of roadway. Don't know how to fix/upgrade. Wanted to give this vehicle to my Florida student but now hesitate as Florida's roadways are not illuminated. Have seen many posts relative hereto, even when the vehicle was new. A manufacturer's recall should issue for new improved headlights. Please advise on a fix for this essential vehicular safety function .
NHTSA ODI #11502809
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2022
Exterior Lighting
Headlight to nowhere just started having horrible visibility it’s like if lights were off I change the bulbs several times LEDs H IDs factory bulbs still results no good
NHTSA ODI #11480073
Mileage unknown · May 12, 2020
Exterior Lighting
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DANGEROUS, IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE DOWN THE ROAD USING THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE MANUFACTURER TO CORRECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11324220
97,000 miles · Mar 3, 2020
Exterior Lighting
MY HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM NO MATTER WHICH BULBS I PUT IN. I REALLY NEED TO GET THIS FIXED BECAUSE DRIVING AT NIGHT IS A DANGER. I'VE READ MANY MAZDA CX-7 OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11315857
30,000 miles · Feb 13, 2019
Exterior Lighting
I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH MY HEADLIGHTS ON MY MAZDA CX7 2010 OR SHOULD I SAY LACK OF HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE PUT 8 LIGHT BULBS IN THIS CAR AND THEY WERE THE EXPENSIVE ONES. THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF CRAP ALL THE WAY AROUND BUT THE HEADLIGHTS ARE REALLY BAD! ALSO THEY ARE SO CLOUDED OVER. I HAVE A HARD TIME DRIVING AT NIGHT AND NOW I JUST C…
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I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH MY HEADLIGHTS ON MY MAZDA CX7 2010 OR SHOULD I SAY LACK OF HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE PUT 8 LIGHT BULBS IN THIS CAR AND THEY WERE THE EXPENSIVE ONES. THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF CRAP ALL THE WAY AROUND BUT THE HEADLIGHTS ARE REALLY BAD! ALSO THEY ARE SO CLOUDED OVER. I HAVE A HARD TIME DRIVING AT NIGHT AND NOW I JUST CAN'T BECAUSE I AM NOT GOING TO GET STOPPED AGAIN FOR HAVING A HEADLIGHT OUT! I ONLY DRIVE DURING THE DAY. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, WHEN I SEE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME THING. THIS IS SUCH A STRESS ER FOR ME. I WISH THERE WAS SOMEONE OUT THERE THAT COULD HELP US IN THIS SITUATION.
NHTSA ODI #11179841
112,000 miles · Mar 31, 2018
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHT BULBS HAVE BURNED OUT EVERY 6 MONTHS SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN 2010. OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, THE LENSES HAVE FOGGED UP TO THE POINT HEADLIGHTS ARE WORTHLESS. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, ONE SEAL IS BAD AND THE OTHER SIDE HAS MELTED, COST OF REPAIR IS NEARLY $2,000. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND LOOKS TO BE A COM…
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HEADLIGHT BULBS HAVE BURNED OUT EVERY 6 MONTHS SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN 2010. OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, THE LENSES HAVE FOGGED UP TO THE POINT HEADLIGHTS ARE WORTHLESS. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, ONE SEAL IS BAD AND THE OTHER SIDE HAS MELTED, COST OF REPAIR IS NEARLY $2,000. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND LOOKS TO BE A COMMON DEFECT IN THIS MAKE/MODEL OF CAR. WE NOW DRIVE THE CAR ONLY DURING DAYLIGHT. IF WE NEED TO AT NIGHT, WE USE HIGH BEAMS EXCLUSIVELY AS WE CAN'T SEE A THING WITH REGULAR HEADLIGHTS.
NHTSA ODI #11082328
100,000 miles · Feb 24, 2018
Exterior Lighting
BOTH LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 3 YEARS IN JULY AND I'VE HAD TO GET GET EACH LIGHT CHANGED 3 TIMES ALREADY. WHEN I GET ONE SIDE FIXED THE OTHER ONE GOES OUT.
NHTSA ODI #11074677
Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2017
Exterior Lighting
HEAD LIGHT BULBS WERE BURNING OUT AND COULD NOT BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE CLIPS WERE BROKEN. I WAS TOLD THIS IS QUITE COMMON IN THE DESIGN AND IN THEIR INFINITE WISDOM, MAZDA REFUSES TO SELL NEW CLIPS, INSTEAD, I WAS FORCED TO BUY TWO NEW HEADLIGHT FIXTURES TO THE TUNE OF $1200 FOR PARTS AND 300 FOR LABOR. I AM NEVER BUYING ANOTH…
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HEAD LIGHT BULBS WERE BURNING OUT AND COULD NOT BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE CLIPS WERE BROKEN. I WAS TOLD THIS IS QUITE COMMON IN THE DESIGN AND IN THEIR INFINITE WISDOM, MAZDA REFUSES TO SELL NEW CLIPS, INSTEAD, I WAS FORCED TO BUY TWO NEW HEADLIGHT FIXTURES TO THE TUNE OF $1200 FOR PARTS AND 300 FOR LABOR. I AM NEVER BUYING ANOTHER MAZDA.
NHTSA ODI #11055922
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2017
Air BagsExterior LightingUnknown Or Other
I HAVE MY MAZDA 2010 CX7 ON 3-11-2017. WHEN THE DEALER GIVE ME TO ME. THE MAZDA HAVE THIS. THEY STAR WITH THE LIGHT ON IN AIR BAG AND OTHER TIME. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS WHEN USE THE SWITH AND PUT THE LIGHT THERE CHANGE AND I'M THINK THERE HAVE PROBLEM ELECTRICAL AND IN THE RIM. THE MAZDA RUNNING BUT THEY HAVE A COUPLE PROBLEM. A…
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I HAVE MY MAZDA 2010 CX7 ON 3-11-2017. WHEN THE DEALER GIVE ME TO ME. THE MAZDA HAVE THIS. THEY STAR WITH THE LIGHT ON IN AIR BAG AND OTHER TIME. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS WHEN USE THE SWITH AND PUT THE LIGHT THERE CHANGE AND I'M THINK THERE HAVE PROBLEM ELECTRICAL AND IN THE RIM. THE MAZDA RUNNING BUT THEY HAVE A COUPLE PROBLEM. AND UNKNOWN SITUATION THE ONLY FIXED IS THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. BECAUSE WHEN AM GOING OVETHERE THEY TOLD ME THE ONLY RECALL HAVE IS THAT WANT. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM.
NHTSA ODI #11022873
Official recalls
5Oct 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.
Oct 12, 2018
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda 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 2011-2013 Mazda6, 2011-2012 CX-7, and 2011-2015 CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Mazda6, 2010-2012 CX-7, and 2010-2015 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 November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.
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.
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.
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 ↗