CSR

Mazda · NHTSA safety record

2012 Mazda CX-7

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

39

Complaints

4

Crashes

0

Fires

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2012 Mazda CX-7 have filed 39 safety complaints with NHTSA between April 2012 and October 2023. The most complained-about system is the suspension, named in 14 of them (36%). The typical failure was reported at 76,000 miles, the median across the 16 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

17V457000 · July 18, 2017

Do not drive until repaired

The defect
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.
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 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.

Mazda North American Operations · up to 79,402 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 39.

SUSPENSION 14 36%
AIR BAGS 12 31%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 7 18%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5 13%
STEERING 3 8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 3 8%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3 8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2 5%
STRUCTURE 2 5%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 2 5%
WHEELS 2 5%
ENGINE 1 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2017 at 19.

2012 2017 2023
2012 to 2023

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

1 injured · crash · towed · 119,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 MAZDA CX-7. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE NECK AND BACK PAINS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

NHTSA complaint 10883441. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING

1 injured · crash · towed · 50,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 MAZDA CX-7. WHILE ADJUSTING THE HEAT AND DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED INADVERTENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LOWER BACK, NECK, AND CHEST AREA. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT WOULD NOT SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA complaint 10920295. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

crash · towed · 89,000 miles

MY CAR WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. I ENTERED THE CAR, PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO START THE CAR AND THEN PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE. IMMEDIATELY IT SURGED FORWARD ABOUT 50 FEET HITTING A CEMENT BASE TO A POLE. MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE SEATBELT WORKED KEEPING ME FROM ANY INJURY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED IT WAS TOTALED. THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT AS IT WAS DEAMED PRIVATE PROPERTY AS IT WAS A GOODWILL STORE.

NHTSA complaint 11084695. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

crash · towed · 89,000 miles

MY CAR WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF WITH THE KEY IN MY HAND. I INSERTED THE KEY AND STARTED THE CAR WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE. IT SURGED AHEAD AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING I CRASHED INTO A CEMENT BASE TO A POLE. I HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY OF A DONATION CENTER.

NHTSA complaint 11089194. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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

NHTSA complaint 11547599. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

WHEELS
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 complaint 11501002. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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 complaint 11442002. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

87,000 miles

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 PLUGS AND CONTINUES TO MISFIRE. MAZDA HAS BEEN UNRESPONSIVE TO MESSAGES DUE TO OPEN RECALLS.

NHTSA complaint 11405874. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

141,000 miles

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 complaint 11372547. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

65,000 miles

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 complaint 11352825. 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
2011 153 4
2010 155 5

Other 2012 Mazda models

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