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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.

About this comparison →

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
156,000 miles · Sep 13, 2019
SteeringWheelsCrash

DRIVE SIDE FRONT TIRE CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH. BALL JOINT SEPARATED. CAR SLIDE HIT CUB AND TIRE ON PASSENGER SIDE WAS HIT AND BLEW OUT. THERE IS RECALL ON BALL JOINT. I DID NOT GET NOTICE.

NHTSA ODI #11255321

Mileage unknown · May 6, 2019
Exterior Lighting

THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS ARE VERY DIM, REPLACED BULBS SEVERAL TIMES AND CAN NOT SEE 10 FEET IN-FRONT OF CAR. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED A PART ON BOTH LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS BUT I STILL CANNOT SEE 10 FEET IN-FRONT OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11205875

Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

ON-GOING ISSUES WITH GAS PUMP SHUTTING OFF AT PUMP. TOOK CAR TO GET IT CHECK. BACK AND FORTH WITH DEALER TO FINE ISSUE FOR OVER SEVERAL MONTHS PERIOD. ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TWICE. CUSTOMER REQUEST DEALER TO CHECK FUEL SYSTEMS. GAS LEAK DISCOVERED, ALONG WITH CLOGGED FUEL VAPOR LINES. SPIDER WEBS NEAR FUEL LINES. CUSTOMER …

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ON-GOING ISSUES WITH GAS PUMP SHUTTING OFF AT PUMP. TOOK CAR TO GET IT CHECK. BACK AND FORTH WITH DEALER TO FINE ISSUE FOR OVER SEVERAL MONTHS PERIOD. ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TWICE. CUSTOMER REQUEST DEALER TO CHECK FUEL SYSTEMS. GAS LEAK DISCOVERED, ALONG WITH CLOGGED FUEL VAPOR LINES. SPIDER WEBS NEAR FUEL LINES. CUSTOMER SUSPECT FUEL SYSTEM DEFECT. DEALER SUGGEST FUEL SYSTEM REPLACEMENT. SINCE OUT OF WARRANTY, CUSTOMER REACH OUT TO MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA ODI #11190501

Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. I HAVE TO PUT IN NEW HEAD LIGHT BULBS EVERY FEW MONTHS. I HAVE CHANGED THE HEAD LIGHT BULB ON BOTH SIDES FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR. CURRENTLY MY RIGHT HEAD LIGHT IS OUT AGAIN. I PURCHASED ANOTHER BULB AND HAVE TO PAY FOR A MECHANIC TO FIX MY HEAD LIGHT THIS WEEK.

NHTSA ODI #11180674

99,000 miles · Feb 10, 2019
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN WOULD NOT REVERSE THE VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI #11176010

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2019
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL... RECEIVED NOTICE TO IMMEDIATELY TAKE CAR IN FOR RECALL. CALL TO MAKE APPOINTMENT TO HAVE RECALL FIX. ONLY TO BE TOLD, WE DIN'T HAVE THE PART AND IT MIGHT BE AWHILE BEFORE RECEIVE IT. WE'LL CALL YOU BACK WHEN WE GET THE PART, IN THE MEANTIME I'M DRIVING A UNSAFE VEHICLE !

NHTSA ODI #11170541

152,000 miles · Dec 17, 2018
Suspension

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR BALL JOINTS HOWEVER NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE AT THE TIME TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. WAITED OVER A YEAR AND THE BALL JOINT LET GO SO I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE MY MAZDA. I TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND HAD IT FIXED. 3 MONTHS LATER I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM MAZDA THAT THE PARTS WERE IN. I CALLED MAZDA 3 …

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I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR BALL JOINTS HOWEVER NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE AT THE TIME TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. WAITED OVER A YEAR AND THE BALL JOINT LET GO SO I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE MY MAZDA. I TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND HAD IT FIXED. 3 MONTHS LATER I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM MAZDA THAT THE PARTS WERE IN. I CALLED MAZDA 3 TIMES ASKING FOR A REIMBURSEMENT AS I HAD TO PAY OUT OF MY OWN POCKET FOR A RECALL THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY CALLS BACK. I WOULD LIKE TO BE COMPENSATED FOR MY OUT OF POCKET COSTS TO REPAIR THE BALL JOINTS.

NHTSA ODI #11162010

44,000 miles · Dec 17, 2018
Wheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CARDINALEWAY MAZDA MESA (6343 E TEST DR, MESA, AZ 85206, (480) 401-5212) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN I…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CARDINALEWAY MAZDA MESA (6343 E TEST DR, MESA, AZ 85206, (480) 401-5212) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE TWO LOOSE LUG NUTS ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE AND BOTH REAR TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. *TT CONSUMER BOUGHT NEW TIRES.*JB *TR

NHTSA ODI #11161976

94,470 miles · Nov 30, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A WHIPLASH AND A CONCUSSION. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION SHOP FOR REPAIRS. THE CAUSE OF …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A WHIPLASH AND A CONCUSSION. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION SHOP FOR REPAIRS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V717000 (AIR BAGS), WHICH WAS UNRELATED TO THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,470.

NHTSA ODI #11155188

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2018
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHT LENSES ON BOTH SIDES ARE FADED AND DULL; VISIBILITY IS LIMITED THE TAIL LIGHT LENSES ON BOTH SIDES ARE FADED AND DULL

NHTSA ODI #11154330

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.