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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

What owners actually said

153 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2023
Exterior Lighting

Just bought this car used and the very first night I realized that the headlights are very very very dim. After online research, it seems this is a common issue with make model&year.

NHTSA ODI #11508615

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2023
Exterior LightingVisibility/wiper

Low beam headlights are so poor that they barely illuminate the roadway when driving at night. I've replaced them with Sylvania Silverstar Max bulbs as well as tried LED bulbs and neither help. Makes the car almost worthless to drive at night due to the limited visibility. It has slowly gotten worse since my purchase of the vehi…

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Low beam headlights are so poor that they barely illuminate the roadway when driving at night. I've replaced them with Sylvania Silverstar Max bulbs as well as tried LED bulbs and neither help. Makes the car almost worthless to drive at night due to the limited visibility. It has slowly gotten worse since my purchase of the vehicle in 2016.

NHTSA ODI #11507587

Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2022
EngineLane DepartureUnknown Or Other

Transmission went out at 150,232 Also car has a lot blond spots

NHTSA ODI #11481096

Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 2021
Exterior Lighting

We purchased a set of headlights and taillights via Amazon from Perde on 12/8/20 after verifying they would fit the vehicle-confirmed with the description provided online. The product that was delivered is defective and presents a fire/electrical safety concern. We installed them, which we had issues initially with the turn si…

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We purchased a set of headlights and taillights via Amazon from Perde on 12/8/20 after verifying they would fit the vehicle-confirmed with the description provided online. The product that was delivered is defective and presents a fire/electrical safety concern. We installed them, which we had issues initially with the turn signals. While we worked to figure that piece out, we left in the new ones as the ones we had to replace were in worse shape. About a month after they were installed we noticed the headlights weren't working so replaced the bulbs-one of which appeared to be burned/melted. We thought this was a fluke, replaced the bulbs and this worked for a little while. Then about another month passes, my son was pulled over by the police due to both taillights being out. This also presents a safety issue with other drivers on the road not being able to see the vehicle at night. When we inspected the taillights, we found that both taillights bulbs had also burned/melted and the socket appeared to have burn marks on them. We believe this is a major safety issue given it could have caused an electrical fire in the vehicle. I have photos of this, and we still have the headlights and taillights we have since replaced with a different manufacturer. There were no warning lights on the vehicle, this was discovered after we pulled them off to inspect after having numerous issues replacing bulbs. When I contacted the company today their responses do not seem to indicate any concern on their part about this issue. They offered to replace them, however, there is no way I am going to put their parts on any of my vehicles ever again.

NHTSA ODI #11441742

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2021
Exterior Lighting

Low beam headlights burn out every 6 months, no matter the quality of bulb. Casings are discolored on the inside and light doesn't project beyond about 4 feet, doesn't reach the car bumper in front of me. Cannot be corrected with lens cleaning kits or improved with brighter bulbs. Very dangerous. I cannot see in low light or dar…

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Low beam headlights burn out every 6 months, no matter the quality of bulb. Casings are discolored on the inside and light doesn't project beyond about 4 feet, doesn't reach the car bumper in front of me. Cannot be corrected with lens cleaning kits or improved with brighter bulbs. Very dangerous. I cannot see in low light or dark at all. I've had this car since 2013 and it gets progressively worse. Many forums online with same issue reported.

NHTSA ODI #11439822

241,000 miles · Mar 3, 2021
Air Bags

THIRD OWNER OF VEHICLE. GOT A NOTICE FROM NHTSA AND MAZDA DUE TO REGISTRATION OF NEW TO US VEHICLE ON FEBRUARY 25, 2021. SET UP APPOINTMENT ON FEBRUARY 26, 2021 WITH NELSON MAZDA OF COOL SPRINGS FOR 10:15 A.M. ON MARCH 3, 2021. I INFORMED THE PERSON THAT THERE WERE TWO RECALLS, BUT I ONLY WANTED THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL DONE BEC…

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THIRD OWNER OF VEHICLE. GOT A NOTICE FROM NHTSA AND MAZDA DUE TO REGISTRATION OF NEW TO US VEHICLE ON FEBRUARY 25, 2021. SET UP APPOINTMENT ON FEBRUARY 26, 2021 WITH NELSON MAZDA OF COOL SPRINGS FOR 10:15 A.M. ON MARCH 3, 2021. I INFORMED THE PERSON THAT THERE WERE TWO RECALLS, BUT I ONLY WANTED THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL DONE BECAUSE I HAD ALREADY REPLACED THE BAD PARTS ON THE OTHER RECALL WITH FAR SUPERIOR AFTERMARKET PARTS AND THEREFORE DIDN'T NEED/WANT THE OTHER RECALL WHICH WAS FOR DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS. MY WIFE DROPPED OFF THE VEHICLE FOR THE AIRBAG RECALL. THEY INFORMED US A LITTLE WHILE LATER THAT WE HAD TO GET BOTH RECALLS DONE OR THEY COULDN'T DO EITHER BECAUSE THEY WOULD GET FINED BY MAZDA. I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT I ALREADY REPAIRED THE BALL JOINT ISSUE TO MY LIKING AND THAT THE BAD PARTS WERE NO LONGER ON THE VEHICLE. I WOULD SIGN OFF ON IT. HE SAID THEY COULDN'T DO EITHER. I ASKED HIM IF WAS THE REFUSING TO DO THE AIRBAG RECALL THAT HAS PROVEN TO BE DEADLY AND SEND MY WIFE BACK ON THE ROAD WITH A DEFECTIVE PART INSTEAD OF FIXING IT, HE SAID YES. I CONTACTED MAZDA CUSTOMER CARE AND SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE AND KIND OF GOT THE SAME RESPONSE. I TOLD HER THAT THE AIRBAG RECALL AND THE BALL JOINT RECALL ARE TWO DIFFERENT RECALLS NOT CONTINGENT ON EACH OTHER AND REBUKED HER THAT MY WIFE'S LIFE WAS WORTH LESS THAN A ALLEGED FINE THAT THE DEALER COULD GET. I ALSO TOLD HER THAT THEIR REFUSAL TO DO A RECALL ON A KNOWN DEADLY DEFECTIVE PART WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS THERE AT THE SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT TIME WITH PARTS IN HAND WAS ILLOGICAL AND PUT THEM IN A LIABILITY LEGALLY NOW THAT THEY HAVE REFUSED TO PERFORM THE MANDATED RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11398998

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2020
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

TOOK MY CAR TO GET A ALIGNMENT DUE TO THE SHAKING OF THE WHEEL WHEN COMING TO A STOP, WHEN TAKING MY CAR TO BE LOOK AT, I WAS ADVISED THAT THE CONTROL ARM OF MY CAR WAS BAD, IN WHICH I WASN'T AWARE OF. ON MAY 1ST I HAD THE CONTROL ARM REPLACED. NOW I RECEIVED LETTERS AN CALLS ABOUT THE AIRBAG RECALL. ON JUNE 15TH TOOK MY CAR TO …

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TOOK MY CAR TO GET A ALIGNMENT DUE TO THE SHAKING OF THE WHEEL WHEN COMING TO A STOP, WHEN TAKING MY CAR TO BE LOOK AT, I WAS ADVISED THAT THE CONTROL ARM OF MY CAR WAS BAD, IN WHICH I WASN'T AWARE OF. ON MAY 1ST I HAD THE CONTROL ARM REPLACED. NOW I RECEIVED LETTERS AN CALLS ABOUT THE AIRBAG RECALL. ON JUNE 15TH TOOK MY CAR TO JAKE SWEENEY MAZDA AFTER RECEIVING A CALL ABOUT THE RECALL. WHILE IN THE WAITING ROOM WAITING FOR THE AIRBAG TO BE REPAIRED, THE SERVICE PERSON [XXX] CAME BACK OUT AND TOLD ME THAT I HAD ANOTHER RECALL FOR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM OF THE CAR, IN WHICH I JUST HAD REPAIRED ON MAY 1ST, UNAWARE OF THE RECALL, WHICH I FOUND OUT ON JUNE 15TH. AFTER EXPLAINING TO THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED, HE TOLD ME THAT HE NEEDED TO STILL FIX WHAT HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE, WITH THE UPDATED PARTS. ON JUNE 16TH, I SUBMITTED MY REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST ON JUNE 18TH I RECEIVED AN E-MAIL BACK STATING THAT ALL REPAIRS DONE BY THIRD PARTY WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. I TRIED CALLING AND SPEAKING WITH AN SUPERVISOR, WHO STILL ADVISED ME THAT IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY. SO I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW WHEN THEIR PARTS ARE RECALLED WITHOUT RECEIVING LETTERS ARE CALLS ABOUT IT. I PAID $855.80 TO GET THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS REPAIRED. I PROVIDED THEM WITH THE COPY OF MY BANK ACCOUNT, ALONG WITH THE RECEIPT COPY OF THE THIRD PARTY VENDOR WHO FIXED THE REPAIRS. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR MY $855.80. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11330916

Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2020
Exterior LightingStructureUnknown Or Other

EVERY SINCE I FIRST PURCHASED MY CAR, MY DOOR HANDLES ARE VERY LOOSE, I'VE HAD TO GET THE DRIVER ONE FIXED AND IT'S LOOSE AGAIN. IT CAUSES ME TO NOT BE ABLE TO USE THAT DOOR. ALL MY WINDOWS WILL NOT GO UP ONCE I PUT THEM DOWN AND THEY ARE ALSO MAKING NOISES. MY HEADLIGHTS ARE DIMMER FROM WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR, AND I HAV…

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EVERY SINCE I FIRST PURCHASED MY CAR, MY DOOR HANDLES ARE VERY LOOSE, I'VE HAD TO GET THE DRIVER ONE FIXED AND IT'S LOOSE AGAIN. IT CAUSES ME TO NOT BE ABLE TO USE THAT DOOR. ALL MY WINDOWS WILL NOT GO UP ONCE I PUT THEM DOWN AND THEY ARE ALSO MAKING NOISES. MY HEADLIGHTS ARE DIMMER FROM WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR, AND I HAVE TO KEEP REPLACING THEM BECAUSE THEY KEEP GOING OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11330621

68,000 miles · Dec 30, 2019
Exterior Lighting

DIM LIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT ALL OTHER LIGHTS WORK FINE

NHTSA ODI #11292180

109,000 miles · Dec 28, 2019
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHT BULBS BURN OUT MULTIPLE TIMES A YEAR AND ON TOP OF THAT, THE LENS HAVE FOGGED UP TO THE POINT THAT I WAS FORCED TO REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE DURING DUSK, NIGHT AND DAWN HOURS. THE FOG SEEMS TO BE FROM THE INSIDE, SINCE NO AMOUNT OF EXTERIOR CLEANING WOULD HELP. THE REAR BREAK LIGHTS ARE ALSO F…

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THE HEADLIGHT BULBS BURN OUT MULTIPLE TIMES A YEAR AND ON TOP OF THAT, THE LENS HAVE FOGGED UP TO THE POINT THAT I WAS FORCED TO REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE DURING DUSK, NIGHT AND DAWN HOURS. THE FOG SEEMS TO BE FROM THE INSIDE, SINCE NO AMOUNT OF EXTERIOR CLEANING WOULD HELP. THE REAR BREAK LIGHTS ARE ALSO FOGGED UP AND THE INSIDE RED PLASTIC IS ALSO MELTED. THESE ARE SOME MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES. I HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLAMPS, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THE NEW ONES WILL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE IN THE YEARS TO COME.

NHTSA ODI #11291802

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.