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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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44,000 miles · Sep 30, 2015
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT HEAD LAMPS WOULD NOT PROJECT MORE THAN 10 FEET IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND NEW BULBS WERE INSTALLED, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LENS COVER WAS FOGGY AND STATED TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT HEAD LAMPS WOULD NOT PROJECT MORE THAN 10 FEET IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND NEW BULBS WERE INSTALLED, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LENS COVER WAS FOGGY AND STATED THAT THE HIGH BEAMS HAD TO BE ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. UPDATED 11/18/15*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10778810

43,000 miles · Aug 13, 2015
Exterior Lighting

I BOUGHT THIS CAR NOVEMBER OF 2013 I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH HEADLIGHTS ONCE AND THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT TWICE. THE HEADLIGHT COVERS EITHER RETAIN MOISTURE OR HEAT UP TO THE POINT THAT IT IS BURNING THE LIGHTS OUT OR MELTING THE COVER. THE COVERS ARE SO FOGGED UP THAT I HAVE TO HAVE THE LIGHTS ON BRIGHT ALL THE TIME TO HAVE ENOUGH…

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I BOUGHT THIS CAR NOVEMBER OF 2013 I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH HEADLIGHTS ONCE AND THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT TWICE. THE HEADLIGHT COVERS EITHER RETAIN MOISTURE OR HEAT UP TO THE POINT THAT IT IS BURNING THE LIGHTS OUT OR MELTING THE COVER. THE COVERS ARE SO FOGGED UP THAT I HAVE TO HAVE THE LIGHTS ON BRIGHT ALL THE TIME TO HAVE ENOUGH LIGHT TO SEE. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT MOST PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT EVERY 4 TO 6 MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI #10748611

85,000 miles · Jul 14, 2015
Air BagsExterior Lighting

1. WARNING ILLUMINATOR LIGHT ON INDICATING DRIVER/PASSENGER AIRBAGS MAY REQUIRE REPAIR AND/OR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. 2. REAR TAIL LIGHT: BULB HAS BECOME SO HOT THE BULB IS LITERALLY BURNING THROUGH THE RED CASING OF THE BREAK LIGHT - CONDENSATION OR WIRING IS CAUSING THE BULB TO OVERHEAT.

NHTSA ODI #10733816

8,000 miles · Apr 24, 2015
Exterior Lighting

FROM THE TIME I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD RETAIN MOISTURE AND FOG UP. THIS HAS SUPPOSEDLY BEEN REPAIRED BY MAZDA, BUT RECURS AND RESULTS WITH POOR HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION. THE ILLUMINATION PROVIDED BY MY HEADLIGHTS IS REDUCED CONSIDERABLY DUE TO THIS DEFECT. I HAVE 17,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE NOW AND HAVE RE…

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FROM THE TIME I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD RETAIN MOISTURE AND FOG UP. THIS HAS SUPPOSEDLY BEEN REPAIRED BY MAZDA, BUT RECURS AND RESULTS WITH POOR HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION. THE ILLUMINATION PROVIDED BY MY HEADLIGHTS IS REDUCED CONSIDERABLY DUE TO THIS DEFECT. I HAVE 17,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE NOW AND HAVE REPEATEDLY TRIED TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED. I BELIEVE THIS DEFECT TO IMPOSE A DANGER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712574

49,646 miles · Dec 22, 2014
Exterior Lighting

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED IN MAY OF 2013 I ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE 2 DAYS AND HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVERS HEAD LIGHT. ON DECEMBER 17TH THE DRIVERS HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AGAIN AND ON THE 19TH OF DECEMBER THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT HAS GONE OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667700

600 miles · Oct 25, 2014
Exterior Lighting

FROM THE TIME I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THE PLASTIC LENS ON THE XENON HEADLIGHTS HAS BEEN CLOUDY. THE VEHICLE IS GARAGED AND PRESENTLY HAS JUST 15,000 MILES. THE CLOUDY HEADLIGHT LENS REDUCE VISIBILITY. THE DEALER FROM THE DATE OF DELIVERY STATES CLOUDINESS IS NORMAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649955

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

PURCHASED VEHICLE ON 2/27/2011. 1) DEC 27 2011 REPLACED DRIVERS HEADLAMP. 2) 4/18/12 BATTERY ISSUE. CAR WOULD NEED JUMP STARTS RANDOMLY 3) 8/18/12 PASSENGER HEADLAMP REPLACED 4) 11/5/12 BATTERY REPLACED 5) 12/21/12 DRIVERS HEADLAMP REPLACED 6) 7/1/13 DRIVERS HEADLAMP REPLACED. WENT TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS TO…

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PURCHASED VEHICLE ON 2/27/2011. 1) DEC 27 2011 REPLACED DRIVERS HEADLAMP. 2) 4/18/12 BATTERY ISSUE. CAR WOULD NEED JUMP STARTS RANDOMLY 3) 8/18/12 PASSENGER HEADLAMP REPLACED 4) 11/5/12 BATTERY REPLACED 5) 12/21/12 DRIVERS HEADLAMP REPLACED 6) 7/1/13 DRIVERS HEADLAMP REPLACED. WENT TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS TO REPLACE ITEMS. BOTH DEALERS ASSURED ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH ELECTRICAL AND IT WAS JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS. UNFORTUNATELY 4 HEADLAMPS AND A BATTERY WITHIN 2 YEARS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE IS JUST RIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522788

750 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Exterior LightingCrash

THE CONTROLS ESSENTIAL FOR VEHICLE OPERATION (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, TRANSMISSION GEAR PLACEMENT), OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE CENTER "CLUSTER" CONTROLS ARE ILLUMINATED REGARDLESS IF HEADLIGHTS ARE ON OR OFF. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS, THUS MAKING THIS ISSUE MORE PRESSING. WHEN THE DASH CONTROLS ARE ILL…

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THE CONTROLS ESSENTIAL FOR VEHICLE OPERATION (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, TRANSMISSION GEAR PLACEMENT), OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE CENTER "CLUSTER" CONTROLS ARE ILLUMINATED REGARDLESS IF HEADLIGHTS ARE ON OR OFF. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS, THUS MAKING THIS ISSUE MORE PRESSING. WHEN THE DASH CONTROLS ARE ILLUMINATED, YOU FORGET TO TURN ON YOUR HEAD LAMPS TO MAKE YOURSELF VISIBLE TO OTHER VEHICLES. MAZDA STATED THAT THE DASH CONTROLS ARE ILLUMINATED IN ORDER TO MAKE GAUGES MORE VISIBLE. MY WHOLE ARGUMENT HAS BEEN THAT IF I AM HAVING EVEN THE SLIGHTEST DIFFICULTY SEEING MY DASHBOARD DUE TO POOR LIGHTING (WHETHER IT BE CLOUDY, DARK, DUSK, ETC.) MY HEAD LAMPS SHOULD BE ON. IF THE DASH IS ILLUMINATED, YOU WILL FORGET TO TURN ON YOUR HEAD LAMPS. THIS HAS ALREADY CAUSED ONE ACCIDENT, AND I AM AFRAID THAT IT MAY LEAD TO MORE IN THE FUTURE.

NHTSA ODI #10417325

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.