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Mazda · NHTSA safety record

2011 Mazda CX-7

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

153

Complaints

8

Crashes

0

Fires

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2011 Mazda CX-7 have filed 153 safety complaints with NHTSA between May 2011 and August 2026. The most complained-about system is the suspension, named in 51 of them (33%). The typical failure was reported at 50,000 miles, the median across the 61 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 4 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (4)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V782000 · October 31, 2019

Do not drive until repaired

The defect
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.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.

Mazda North American Operations · up to 69,879 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

18V717000 · October 12, 2018

Do not drive until repaired

The defect
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.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.

Mazda North American Operations · up to 155,436 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

17V429000 · June 29, 2017

Do not drive until repaired

The defect
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.
The risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.

Mazda North American Operations · up to 205,377 vehicles across all model years covered

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

16V593000 · August 11, 2016

The defect
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.
The risk
A loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Mazda North American Operations · up to 190,102 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 153.

SUSPENSION 51 33%
AIR BAGS 42 27%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 38 25%
STEERING 16 10%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7 5%
POWER TRAIN 7 5%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 7 5%
ENGINE 5 3%
SERVICE BRAKES 5 3%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 4 3%
STRUCTURE 3 2%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2017 at 56.

2011 2017 2026
2011 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 6,700 miles

TAKATA RECALL ON AUGUST 30 2016 I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET BREAKING AS I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT WHEN MY 2011 MAZDA CX7 WAS REAR ENDED AND SLID INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL TODAY ABOUT A REACALL WITH A BAR CODE AND NUMBERS TK66253230. I DO NOT HAVE MY POLICE REPORT THEY DON'T HAND THEM OUT ANYMORE IN IL WHERE I LIVE AS THEY ARE ELECTRONIC NOW BUT I CAN GO TO THE POLICE STATION AND PURCHASE ONE.

NHTSA complaint 11040659. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING

1 injured · crash · towed · 108,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED TO THE LEFT AND FAILED TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT, HYDROPLANED, AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER EMBANKMENT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED OVER THE TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND UPWARDS TOWARD THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CRACKED CHEST PLATE, LEFT SHOULDER LIGAMENT DAMAGE, A HEAD CONCUSSION, AND NERVE AND SPINAL DAMAGE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED AT THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED.

NHTSA complaint 11062436, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · 94,470 miles

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 complaint 11155188. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

crash · towed · 61,000 miles

ON 12/14/2015, I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60-65 MPH ON A MARYLAND HIGHWAY AT AROUND 10AM. I WAS IN THE NEXT LANE BESIDE THE FAST LANE. THE 2011 MAZDA CX7 STARTED TO DECELERATE. I LOOKED DOWN AT THE GAGES TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T INADVERTENTLY GO INTO NEUTRAL. I WAS STILL IN DRIVE. I HIT THE BRAKE, NOT COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND THEN STEPPED BACK ON THE GAS, PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. IT WENT DOWN TO ABOUT 20 MPH. IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR I SAW A TRACTOR TRAILER COMING TOWARD ME AND THERE WAS NO WHERE I COULD MOVE, AND I COULD NOT SEE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRAILER TO GO INTO THE NEXT LANE WITHOUT HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. I WAS HIT IN THE REAR BY THE

NHTSA complaint 10810217, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The low beam wiring gets hot and melts the connectors to the bulb connection. The low beam headlights have been replaced 8 times in a year due to low visibility. It's like turning off the headlights but they are still on. It's been going on for years. I've taken it to Mazda and the mechanic told me they had a vehicle there now with the same problem and have not figured out the problem yet. Wiring harness has been replaced to the low beam, the connectors and bulbs replaced fuzes and nothing seems to fix it, the battery keeps needing to be replaced as well, alternator has been replaced. This is a safety issue due to the fact that the low beams are so dim the driver can't see to drive without

NHTSA complaint 11754388, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
My wheel on front driver's side is wobbly and I just decided to look up for any recalls and I'm lucky we didn't have a major accident I drive the interstate almost daily also I want to report that my door handles have had to be replaced 6 times since we've bought the car in 2019

NHTSA complaint 11738584. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Mazda has messed up headlights and it is very dangerous. I have to drive with high beams on continuously! The low beams point straight down to the road, looks like even with the bumper, you cannot see anything. It looks like you don’t have lights on. Took it to dealer and they say it’s the housing and it’s a Mazda thing and don’t do anything to fix it. I have tried every bulb available for Mazda and nothing helps. They need to fix this. I see SEVERAL owners with the same complaints! Please don’t overlook this as it is very dangerous and may cause deaths.

NHTSA complaint 11708962. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
My mechanic told me to check with Mazda as there might be a recall that has not been taken care of yet. I called Mazda and they told me there were 3 recalls (2 of which my mechanic already fixed) and the airbag recall. Told me not to drive, but would not provide any vehicle to use and would not set an appointment until December 8th, 2025.

NHTSA complaint 11701786. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2011 Mazda CX-7. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V429000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact called an independent mechanic, but no assistance was provided. The local dealer was contacted. The dealer declined to tow the vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer had 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. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint 11647366. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I can not see at night. I have replaced the bulbs several times, and tried the most expensive bulbs. Nothing helps. You can only see with the high beams on, and that’s not safe for other drivers

NHTSA complaint 11617337. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Mazda CX-7

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2012 39 4 —
2010 155 5 —

Other 2011 Mazda models

CX-9 170 MAZDA6 134 MAZDA3 132 MAZDA2 16

Every Mazda on this site — 81 vehicles, 161 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst