Suspension. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

39 reports

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2023

Exterior Lighting

No matter the bulbs I use, the headlights are always dim. This is incredibly unsafe for night driving.

NHTSA ODI #11547599

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2023

Service BrakesStructureWheels

There is excessive rust on this MAZDA. We drive in NYC, and i believe due to the close proximity to the ocean this Mazda was not properly prepared.

NHTSA ODI #11501002

Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2021

Exterior Lighting

The headlights are too dim for safe night driving. Bulbs also fail yearly. This is a common problem reported with 2012 MAZDA CX7

NHTSA ODI #11442002

87,000 miles · Mar 31, 2021

Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, WOULD STALL OUT AND TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT MOVE UP OR DOWN. THE CAR WOULD START WITH JUMPER CABLES, IDLE FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN GO COMPLETELY DEAD, NO LIGHTS, NO BUZZ, NO NOTHING AS SOON AS IT WAS PUT INTO REVERSE. THE CAR HAS A NEW BATTERY, NEW COILS, NEW SPARK PL…

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NHTSA ODI #11405874

141,000 miles · Nov 1, 2020

Exterior Lighting

NO ACCIDENTS HAS HAPPENED, BUT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS KEEP BLOWING OUT. I HAVE TO HAVE THEM REPLACED EVERY 3-6 MONTHS. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PROBLEM. UPON DOING SEARCH ON INTERNET, I NOTICE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM. LIGHTS ARE NOT CHEAP AND VERY FRUSTRATING WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THIS HAPPENS.

NHTSA ODI #11372547

65,000 miles · Sep 2, 2020

Electrical System

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OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO GET INTO VEHICLE THIS MORNING ALL WAS FINE. WHEN I GOT TO WORK AND TRIED TO OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR, IT WOULD NOT OPEN. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR BY CLIMBING OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE AND OPENING THE SIDE DOOR. I CHECKED THE OTHER DOORS (AND TRUNK) AND THEY ALL OPENED. I CHECKED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE THEN AND IT STILL WOULD NOT OPEN. IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD IF YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR QUICKLY. ALSO I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN SO IT'S NO LONGER EASY TO CLIMB OVER THE SEATS TO OPEN THE PASSENGER DOOR INSTEAD.

NHTSA ODI #11352825

123,000 miles · Feb 3, 2020

Air BagsSeatsUnknown Or Other

AIRBAG SENSOR STAYS ON

NHTSA ODI #11306879

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2019

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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THE DIM LIGHTS ARE SO DANGEROUS AND DO NOT PROVIDE ANY VISIBILITY AT NIGHT AT ALL. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND I HAVE HAD SO MANY NEAR MISSES WHILE PASSING OTHER VEHICLES OR TRYING TO NOT RUN OFF THE ROAD DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE. PLUS THE BULBS BURN OUT SEVERAL TIMES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND I'M CONSTANTLY HAVING TO REPLACE THEM. BUT TO DRIVE AT NIGHT IS SO SCARY BECAUSE I CANNOT SEE THE ROADWAY DUE TO POOR LIGHTING FROM THE CARS HEADLIGHTS. AND ALSO THE MOTORS THAT ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS ARE CONSTANTLY GOING OUT AND I HAVE TO REPLACE THOSE AS WELL OTHERWISE MY WINDOW GETS STUCK AND I CAN'T GET IT TO ROLL BACK UP.

NHTSA ODI #11287722

1,000 miles · Mar 15, 2019

Fuel/propulsion System

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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED MY BRAND NEW MAZDA CX7. DEALERSHIP JUST SIMPLY RESETTED IT WITHOUT FURTHER INSPECTION AND NOW AFTER WARRANTY LIGHT IS BACK ON. HAD ALREADY REPLACED GAS CAP AND L RESET WAS DONE AGAIN BUT IT IS BACK ON. I READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE CHECK EGINE LIGHT. I SEEMS LIKE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MAZDA CARS BUT MAZDA DOES NOT SEEM TO CONCERNED ABOUT IT. MY CAR CANT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE CODE P0442-EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM LEAK DETECTED (SMALL LEAK) KEEPS COMING UP. I WANT MAZDA TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG MAZDA OWNERS. EMAILED MAZDA AND NO ANSWER SO I CALLED 800 NUMBER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP. NOT SURE OF THE DATE IT INITIALLY HAPPENED. BUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN LAST SUMMER 2018 THANKS.

NHTSA ODI #11187055

25,000 miles · Dec 1, 2018

Exterior LightingVisibility/wiper

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HEADLIGHTS BLOW NUMEROUS TIMES IN A YEAR. WHEN 'OPERATIONAL''THE HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM AT NIGHT. I RESEARCHED AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A REOCCURRING ISSUE ON MANY MAZDA VEHICLES. I HAVE TRIED TO REACH OUT TO MAZDA, WITH NO RESPONSE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND MY TURN SIGNALS ARE BRIGHTER THAN MY LIGHTS. EVERYONE ON THE FORUM SUGGESTS THE PROJECTOR LENSES THAT COME EQUIPPED ARE FAULTY. I SPENT $400 ON AFTERMARKET HEADLIGHTS (FULL HOUSING) TO TRY AND RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM OR MAKE IT BETTER TO BE ABLE TO SEE AT NIGHT, SINCE I HAVE HEARD NOTHING FROM MAZDA AND THEY SEEM NOT WILLING TO LOOK INSIDE THE ISSUE WITH MANY OF THEIR VEHICLES.THIS HAS BEEN A REPCCUING ISSUE SINCE PURCHASE IN 2012.

NHTSA ODI #11155294

Official recalls

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.

17V457000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jul 18, 2017

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2012 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 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 included in "Zone A" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2007-2008 CX-7 and CX-9 sold, or 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. 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 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 front passenger side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 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 17V-012.

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

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.