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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
Mileage unknown · May 17, 2017
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V593000 (SUSPENSION). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V593000 (SUSPENSION). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10986166

Mileage unknown · May 17, 2017
Suspension

I FILED A COMPLAINT ON 05/02/17 STATING THAT RECALL 9716H HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED. I HAVE CALLED MY SELLING DEALER SEVERAL TIMES ONLY TO BE TOLD THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THE RECALL LETTER I RECEIVED FROM MAZDA STATES THE RECALL IN QUESTION SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN A REASONABLE TIME, I DO NOT ACCEPT THE TIME TO DATE IS REASONAB…

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I FILED A COMPLAINT ON 05/02/17 STATING THAT RECALL 9716H HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED. I HAVE CALLED MY SELLING DEALER SEVERAL TIMES ONLY TO BE TOLD THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THE RECALL LETTER I RECEIVED FROM MAZDA STATES THE RECALL IN QUESTION SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN A REASONABLE TIME, I DO NOT ACCEPT THE TIME TO DATE IS REASONABLE. I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE DATED OCTOBER 2016. SEVEN MONTHS LATER THE PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THIS IS TOTALLY INACCEPTABLE. THE RECALL LETTER ALSO STATES THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AND RESULT IN A CRASH. I DID CALL WITH A COMPLAINT ON 05/02/17 ODI 10983032, BUT CAN NOT FIND THIS ON LINE.

NHTSA ODI #10986132

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2017
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V356000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V356000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. UPDATED 07/13/17*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10985737

Mileage unknown · May 12, 2017
Air BagsSuspension

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V356000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V593000 (SUSPENSION). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE DEALER WAS CA…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V356000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V593000 (SUSPENSION). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE DEALER WAS CALLED AND THE CONTACT LEFT VOICE MESSAGES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT AND VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10985112

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2017
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V593000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. T…

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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 PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 06/27/17 *BF *CN

NHTSA ODI #10983032

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

30,000 miles · Apr 28, 2017
Engine

MY CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD WHEN IDLE AND WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS AND HAS NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN 2013.

NHTSA ODI #10981314

72,000 miles · Apr 18, 2017
Power Train

CAR WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME. I WAS ATTEMPTING TO BACK OUT OF A DRIVEWAY, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO REVERSE. I WAS ABLE TO PUSH IT OUT AND DRIVE IT TO SMITHAVEN MAZDA. THIS CAR WAS ABLE TO RUN IN DRIVE BUT WOULD BOG DOWN WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD TRY TO SHIFT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME AND THE NEXT DAY I…

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CAR WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME. I WAS ATTEMPTING TO BACK OUT OF A DRIVEWAY, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO REVERSE. I WAS ABLE TO PUSH IT OUT AND DRIVE IT TO SMITHAVEN MAZDA. THIS CAR WAS ABLE TO RUN IN DRIVE BUT WOULD BOG DOWN WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD TRY TO SHIFT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME AND THE NEXT DAY I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANGER AT MAZDA AND HE PERFORMED A DIOGNOSTIC ON THE CAR. HE CALLED LATER THAT DAY TO INFORM ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BLOWN AND THE COST TO REPLACE IT WOULD BE $4,300. THIS CAR HAS 72,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2011. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND EVERY RECOMENDED REPAIR AND SCHEDULED MAINTENAINCE WAS PERFORMED. I AM INTERESTED IN CONTACTING MAZDA OF AMERICA TO COMPLAIN ABOUT A FAILED TRANSMISSION ON A CAR THAT WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND WAS NOT DRIVEN ABUSIVELY.SO FAR I HAVE HAD REPAIR ESTIMATES FROM $3,000 TO $4,300 AT THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE READ OF COMPLAINTS OF TRANSMISSION FALURES WITH OTHER MAZDA CX7 OWNERS. MAZDA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECTIVE CAR PART , CONSIDERING A CAR THAT WAS VERY WELL MAINTAINED AT THE DEALER. MAZDA OFFERED NO APOLOGY OR EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS TRANSMISSION WOULD FAIL ON A CAR WITH THIS MILEAGE AND MAINTENANCE RECORD.

NHTSA ODI #10979104

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2017
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V593000 (SUSPENSION) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNEC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V593000 (SUSPENSION) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #10972390

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2017
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V356000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V356000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #10972388

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.