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2011 Mazda CX-7

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 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

61 reports with mileage · 92 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 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

38 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2017
Exterior Lighting

DEFECTIVE TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THEY ARE BOTH "MELTING" FROM THE INSIDE AND HAVE REPORTED TO THE DEALER AND WARRANTY CARRIERS TO NO AVAIL. THEY RESPONDED THAT I MUST HAVE CHANGED THE BULBS FOR AFTERMARKET ONES AND THAT COULD HAVE POSSIBLY OVERHEATED AND MELTED THE ASSEMBLY. I HAVE NOT CHANGED THE BULBS UNTIL TODAY (I BOUGHT THE CA…

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DEFECTIVE TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THEY ARE BOTH "MELTING" FROM THE INSIDE AND HAVE REPORTED TO THE DEALER AND WARRANTY CARRIERS TO NO AVAIL. THEY RESPONDED THAT I MUST HAVE CHANGED THE BULBS FOR AFTERMARKET ONES AND THAT COULD HAVE POSSIBLY OVERHEATED AND MELTED THE ASSEMBLY. I HAVE NOT CHANGED THE BULBS UNTIL TODAY (I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW FROM THE DEALER). 8 OUT OF 10 CX-7'S I SEE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, BOTH TAIL LIGHTS MELTING. LOOKS LIKE SNOW INSIDE THE ASSEMBLY. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN THAT COULD LEAD TO POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS. DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY BUT I FEEL THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NO COST.

NHTSA ODI #11020959

26,000 miles · Aug 9, 2017
Exterior Lighting

TAKATA RECALL. LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE ALWAYS BLOWING OUT. HAVE TO REPLACE EVERY 6 MONTHS OR SOONER

NHTSA ODI #11013974

5,000 miles · Apr 29, 2017
Exterior Lighting

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY NEED REPLACING...AVERAGING A SET EVERY SIX MONTHS. THE BULBS ARE BLOWN WHEN FIRST TURNED ON OR WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT IN RURAL AREAS. DO NOT USE LIGHTS DURING THE DAY UNLESS RAINING.

NHTSA ODI #10981392

71,000 miles · Jan 26, 2017
Exterior Lighting

LOW BEAM AND HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT MULTIPLE TIMES THROUGH OUT THE YEAR. THE LOW BEAM ON EITHER SIDE BURN OUT AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED MORE FREQUENTLY THAN THE HIGH BEAMS.

NHTSA ODI #10947793

55,000 miles · Jan 14, 2017
Exterior Lighting

LOW BEAM AND HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT MULTIPLE TIMES EACH YEAR.

NHTSA ODI #10945308

70,000 miles · Dec 4, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET OUR HEADLIGHTS TO WORK PROPERLY WITH NO SUCCESS. EVEN WHEN BOTH DIM HEADLIGHTS ARE WORKING THEY ARE SO DIMM WE CAN'T DRIVE WITH THEM AND IF ONE OF THEM GOES OUT WE MIGHT AS WELL NOT HAVE A HEADLIGHT. I HAVE A VW AND IF ONE OF IT'S LOW BEAM LIGHTS IS OUT IT IS 100 TIMES BRIGHTER THAN…

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FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET OUR HEADLIGHTS TO WORK PROPERLY WITH NO SUCCESS. EVEN WHEN BOTH DIM HEADLIGHTS ARE WORKING THEY ARE SO DIMM WE CAN'T DRIVE WITH THEM AND IF ONE OF THEM GOES OUT WE MIGHT AS WELL NOT HAVE A HEADLIGHT. I HAVE A VW AND IF ONE OF IT'S LOW BEAM LIGHTS IS OUT IT IS 100 TIMES BRIGHTER THAN THE MAZDA WITH BOTH LOW BEAMS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IF WE ARE OUT AT NIGHT WE HAVE TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS WHICH BLINDS ON COMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO JIM ELLIS MAZDA TWICE AND THE FIRST TIME I DIDN'T EVEN GET HOME WITH OUT THE LIGHT FALLING OUT. TOOK IT BACK AND THEY ASSURED ME IF WAS FIXED BUT IT WASN'T AND NOW THE SERVICE REP NOR THE SERVICE MANAGER WILL EVEN RETURN MY CALL. I HAVE HAD IT TO 3 DIFFERENT LOCAL SHOPS AND THEY CAN'T FIX IT EITHER. ONE OF THEM FINALLY GOT THE LIGHT FROM FALLING OUT AND REPLACED THEM BOTH WITH THE BRIGHEST LIGHT WE COULD FIND AND THEY ARE STILL VERY VERY DIMM. I HAVE ALSO SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON THIS ISSUE SO IT IS NOT ONLY DANGEROUS BUT VERY DISAPPOINTING NOT TO MENTION VERY DANGEROUS. THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10929796

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2016
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS ON THE CAR GO OUT FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. I HAVE TO CHANGE THEM 3-4 TIMES A YEAR ON BOTH SIDES. THIS IS BECOMING A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND A HUGE EXPENSE AS THE HEADLIGHTS COST $30 A PIECE.

NHTSA ODI #10875892

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2016
Exterior Lighting

I HAD TO REPLACE THE LOWER HEADLIGHT SEVERAL TIME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SINCE PURCHASE IN 2013. TWO TIME AFTER THE BULB WAS REPLACE THE LIGHT WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT. AGAIN AS OF MAY 4, 2016 THE HEADLIGHT US NOT WORKING.

NHTSA ODI #10863193

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

THE HEAD LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED OVER THREE TIMES IN LEAST THAN TWO YEARS. THE CONDENSATION ON THE COVERS MAKES IT DIFFICULT SEEING WHERE ONE IS DRIVING. THIS I BELIEVE IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS CONDENSATION HAS ALSO CAUSED MY RADIO TO LOSE ITS SOUND. THE BATTERY WILL NOT START IF IT RAINS OR ITS COLD.

NHTSA ODI #10837844

58,000 miles · Nov 5, 2015
Exterior Lighting

MY FRONT HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM I CAN HARDLY SEE WHEN DRIVING AFTER DUSK. EVEN WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON I CAN ONLY SEE ABOUT TWO CAR LENGTHS IN FRONT OF ME. THEY LOOK FOGGED UP. I WAS GETTING GAS LAST WEEK AND A GENTLEMAN CAME OVER AND ASKED IF HE COULD CLEAN MY HEADLIGHTS...FREE OF CHARGE BUT HE FELT IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS FOR ME…

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MY FRONT HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM I CAN HARDLY SEE WHEN DRIVING AFTER DUSK. EVEN WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON I CAN ONLY SEE ABOUT TWO CAR LENGTHS IN FRONT OF ME. THEY LOOK FOGGED UP. I WAS GETTING GAS LAST WEEK AND A GENTLEMAN CAME OVER AND ASKED IF HE COULD CLEAN MY HEADLIGHTS...FREE OF CHARGE BUT HE FELT IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS FOR ME TO DRIVE. I TOLD HIM I AGREED BUT THAT THEY COULDN'T BE CLEANED. HE DID GIVE IT A TRY BUT IT WAS FUTILE. THE FILM THAT SEEMS TO BE COVERING THE LENS IS ON THE INSIDE...OR I THINK IT IS BECAUSE IT CANNOT BE SCRUBBED OFF. IT IS REALLY SCARY DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND NEW LIGHT BULBS DID NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE. I BELIEVE IT IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT THAT IF JUST BEING IGNORED.

NHTSA ODI #10788487

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.

18V717000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

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.

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.