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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
53,000 miles · Oct 22, 2018
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. WHEN THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED, THEY DID NOT ILLUMINATE BRIGHTLY ENOUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO G&G CAR AND TRUCK SUPERCENTERS (308 S 2ND AVE, DODGE CITY, KS 67801, (866) 692-7707), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. WHEN THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED, THEY DID NOT ILLUMINATE BRIGHTLY ENOUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO G&G CAR AND TRUCK SUPERCENTERS (308 S 2ND AVE, DODGE CITY, KS 67801, (866) 692-7707), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. *TT *JB

NHTSA ODI #11141835

72,000 miles · Oct 11, 2018
Structure

AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK SYSTEM LOCKED ALL DOORS AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THERE IS NO MECHANICAL OVER RIDE AND THE DRIVE WAS TRAPPED IN THE CAR. AFTER ATTEMPTING RELEASE MULTIPLE TIMES THE LOCK RELEASED AND THE DRIVER COULD EXIT BY CLIMBING OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE AND EXITING THE PASSENGER DOOR. WHEN OUTSIDE THE CAR AND ATTEMPTING T…

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AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK SYSTEM LOCKED ALL DOORS AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THERE IS NO MECHANICAL OVER RIDE AND THE DRIVE WAS TRAPPED IN THE CAR. AFTER ATTEMPTING RELEASE MULTIPLE TIMES THE LOCK RELEASED AND THE DRIVER COULD EXIT BY CLIMBING OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE AND EXITING THE PASSENGER DOOR. WHEN OUTSIDE THE CAR AND ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK IT THE DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF. IF THIS HAD BEEN AN EMERGENCY OR A CAR FIRE THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE DIED. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED TO A MAZDA CX7 BECAUSE THERE IS A UTUBE PROCEDURE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. MAZDA NEEDS TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND FIX THE PROBLEM WITH A MECHANICAL OVER RIDE PROCEDURE. I DON'T KNOW IF THE CX5 AND CX9 HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT MY GUESS IS YES. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN STORE PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN IN AB ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11139675

79,873 miles · Sep 17, 2018
Suspension

IN MARCH 20, 2018 I HAVE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL LETTER FROM MAZDA (PO BOX 1091, ROYAL OAK, MI 48068); SAFETY RECALL 9716H, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO. 16V-593. I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, SUBURBAN MAZDA, 37911 GRAND RIVER AVE., FARMINGTON HILLS MI 48335 (248-471-0800) WHERE THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME ABOUT NON AVAILABILITY O…

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IN MARCH 20, 2018 I HAVE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL LETTER FROM MAZDA (PO BOX 1091, ROYAL OAK, MI 48068); SAFETY RECALL 9716H, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO. 16V-593. I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, SUBURBAN MAZDA, 37911 GRAND RIVER AVE., FARMINGTON HILLS MI 48335 (248-471-0800) WHERE THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME ABOUT NON AVAILABILITY OF THE REQUIRED PART AT THAT TIME (04-18-2018). MANAGER STATED ONCE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WILL RECEIVE THE PART THEY WILL CONTACT ME TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. AS OF TODAY (SEPT. 17, 2018) THE MAZDA, SUBURBAN IMPORTS OF FARMINGTON HILLS, SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID NOT NOTIFY ME ABOUT AVAILABILITY OF THE PART AND THE SCHEDULING OF THE REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11129812

98,000 miles · Apr 22, 2018
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FOGGED UP ON THE INSIDE CAUSING BAD ILLUMINATION AT NIGHT. ALTHOUGH IT SEEMS TO BE SEALED PROPERLY, MOISTURE IS STILL ENTERING ASSEMBLY.

NHTSA ODI #11089304

64,000 miles · Apr 21, 2018
Power Train

ON 4/18/18 - WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, ALL OF A SUDDEN AND WITH NO WARNING, PUSHING GAS PEDAL, IT REVED UP INTO GEAR, STAYED THERE AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN BANGED INTO NEXT GEAR AND PROCEEDED TO DO THE SAME THROUGH THE REMAINING GEARS. THEN THE AT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. I TURNED THE CAR AROUND AND DROVE BACK TO THE OFFICE (THIS WAS AT…

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ON 4/18/18 - WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, ALL OF A SUDDEN AND WITH NO WARNING, PUSHING GAS PEDAL, IT REVED UP INTO GEAR, STAYED THERE AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN BANGED INTO NEXT GEAR AND PROCEEDED TO DO THE SAME THROUGH THE REMAINING GEARS. THEN THE AT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. I TURNED THE CAR AROUND AND DROVE BACK TO THE OFFICE (THIS WAS AT LUNCH TIME). WHEN I LEFT THE OFFICE FOR THE EVENING, THE CAR NOW WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. I ENDED UP HAVING IT TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. I WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. NOW I WOULD PROBABLY BE INCLINED TO AGREE BUT THE CAR DOES NOT EVEN HAVE 65K MILES ON IT!!! EVERYONE I HAVE TALKED TO SAID THAT IS NOT NORMAL FOR A TRANSMISSION TO GO WITH THAT FEW MILES ON IT. SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG HERE.

NHTSA ODI #11089204

8,000 miles · Apr 21, 2018
Exterior Lighting

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FREQUENTLY, EVERY THREE TO FOUR MONTHS, GO OUT. LIGHTING IS SO POOR WHEN THEY DO WORK THAT WE DO NOT USE THE VEHICLE AFTER DARK IF AT ALL POSSIBLE AND THEN USE THE HIGH BEAMS TO OPERATE SAFELY.

NHTSA ODI #11089197

70,000 miles · Mar 29, 2018
SteeringSuspensionCrash

THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE IN OCT 2016 , I HAD ALREADY LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND HAD AN ACCIDENT IN SEPT 2016 AND HAD TO PAY INSURANCE FEES STORAGE FEES AND LOST WAGES DUE TO ACCIDENT. MAZDA SENT ME A LETTER AS OF MARCH 2018 SAYING THAT THET NOW HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX IT AFTER 6 MONTHS..I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET A…

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THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE IN OCT 2016 , I HAD ALREADY LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND HAD AN ACCIDENT IN SEPT 2016 AND HAD TO PAY INSURANCE FEES STORAGE FEES AND LOST WAGES DUE TO ACCIDENT. MAZDA SENT ME A LETTER AS OF MARCH 2018 SAYING THAT THET NOW HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX IT AFTER 6 MONTHS..I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND LOST CONTROL OF STEERING AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED CAR. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT HOW I CAN BE COMPENSATED BECAUSE I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF DEFECT

NHTSA ODI #11082057

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2018
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V593000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MODERN MAZDA DODGE RAM (68 WATERBURY RD, THOMASTON,…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V593000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MODERN MAZDA DODGE RAM (68 WATERBURY RD, THOMASTON, CT) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT EXPEDITE THE PARTS BECAUSE THEY FELT IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11076902

40,000 miles · Mar 6, 2018
Suspension

AUG 10,2016 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER9716H NHTSA RECALL NUMBER16V-593 RECALL STATUSRECALL INCOMPLETE, REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE. I RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 2 YEARS AGO, BUT NOTHING SINCE!

NHTSA ODI #11076572

145,000 miles · Feb 26, 2018
Exterior LightingVisibility/wiper

CAR WAS PURCHASED MAY 2011. I CANNOT REMEMBER WHEN IT ALL STARTED. ALL REPAIRS WERE MADE AT JIM ELLIS MAZDA, COBB PKWY, MARIETTA, GA FROM PURCHASE UNTIL SEPT. 2017 WHEN I BECAME FED UP. MY HEADLAMPS FOGGED UP AFTER A YEAR OR SO, THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL. MY HEADLAMP BULBS HAD TO BE REPLACED EVERY 3 TO 6 MONTHS AND, NOW THEY ARE…

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CAR WAS PURCHASED MAY 2011. I CANNOT REMEMBER WHEN IT ALL STARTED. ALL REPAIRS WERE MADE AT JIM ELLIS MAZDA, COBB PKWY, MARIETTA, GA FROM PURCHASE UNTIL SEPT. 2017 WHEN I BECAME FED UP. MY HEADLAMPS FOGGED UP AFTER A YEAR OR SO, THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL. MY HEADLAMP BULBS HAD TO BE REPLACED EVERY 3 TO 6 MONTHS AND, NOW THEY ARE REPLACED EVERY 2-3 MONTHS. ALL BULBS WERE PURCHASED FROM MAZDA YET ALL BULBS DIED OUT WITHIN 3-6 MONTHS. IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS, HEADLAMP BULBS WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES. 4 NIGHTS AGO, I WAS STOPPED BY THE POLICE DUE TO NO HEADLIGHTS. THE POLICE WATCHED WHILE I CHECKED DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS, HIGH BEAMS, LOW BEAMS AND, AT 9 P.M. LATE EVENING GEORGIA/EST, I HAD NO RUNNING LIGHTS. I TOOK THE CAR TO MAZDA ROSWELL THE NEXT MORNING. WHEN I DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM, STEPHANIE JOHNSON, SERVICE ADVISOR MANAGER IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM BY INQUIRING HOW OFTEN I HAD TO CHANGE MY BULBS IN THE CAR. NO SERVICE ADVISOR HAD PREVIOUSLY ASKED THAT QUESTION AT THE MARIETTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT & NOONE HAS EVER ADVISED TO USE ONLY MAZDA PARTS. UNFORTUNATELY, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM MAZDA 3 DAYS LATER ALLEGING THAT MY HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS FRIED BECAUSE I DID NOT USE MAZDA MANUFACTURED BULBS. MAZDA IS BILLING ME $130 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC THOUGH THEY KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE CAR, & IS CHARGING ME $313 TO REPLACE AND REPAIR THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE HAD A SHORTAGE FOR 6 OF THE 7 YEARS THAT I OWNED THE CAR. I STOPPED USING MAZDA SERVICE AFTER 6 YEARS BECAUSE NOT ONLY COULD THEY NOT FIND OR FIX THE CONSISTENT HEADLAMP PROBLEM BUT MAZDA SERVICE WOULD FIND A REPAIR THAT I HAD NOT COMPLAINED OF. IN FACT, I ONCE TOOK THE CAR IN & BROUGHT MY OWN HIGHER QUALITY HEADLAMPS & MAZDA RETURNED MY CAR W/O REPLACING THE BURNED OUT BULBS. THIS CAR WAS DEFECTIVE WHEN SOLD BUT NOT RISING TO THE LEVEL OF LEMON LAW COMPLAINTS.

NHTSA ODI #11075141

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.