RoadVitals

2010 Mazda CX-7 Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
12
Latest May 1, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 155 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2010 Mazda CX-7 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 12 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed May 1, 2024

Low beam headlamps are extremely dim. Have bought new replacement headlamps and are still very dim. Bought both replacement headlamp housings thinking wiring could be compromised but that didn't help either. Replacing headlamps is difficult due to having to remove either the front tires OR the front entire bumper assembly to switch out lamps. No fog lights are present on this model so makes driving at night very difficult. and unsafe.

NHTSA ID
11586279
Incident
Jan 1, 2022
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Aug 16, 2022
Fire reported

My daughter was driving a 4 hour trip in Florida on I-95 Halfway into the trip she pulled into a parking lot to stop for lunch and before she could even turn off the vehicle, a fire erupted from under the hood. The car completely burned. There is a police report at Jupiter FL Police department # 22-184325

NHTSA ID
11479489
Incident
Jul 20, 2022
Body & structureElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 21, 2017
Fire reported

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CX-7 ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WAS A POP AND THEN SMOKE AND FLAMES. MY DAUGHTER MOVED TO THE LEFT SHOULDER AS SOON AS SHE HEARD THE POP AND THE VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS IN GREAT CONDITION. THE VEHICLE WAS AT 94,000 MILES. AN OIL CHANGE WAS COMPLETED RECENTLY AS WELL AS ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE.

NHTSA ID
11024871
Incident
Sep 4, 2017
Mileage
94,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jul 22, 2017

I NOTICED TAILIGHTS LOOKED FUNNY, SO I REMOVED THEM TO INSPECT THEM. TO MY SURPRISE THERE WERE MELTED HOLES IN THE TAILLIGHT, AND BURN/CHARRED MARKS ON 2 OF THE LIGHT RECEPTACLES. ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FRONT HEAD LIGHT BURNING OUT. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MAJOR DEFECT WITH THIS MODEL, EVERY OWNER I HAVE SPOKE WITH HAS SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11010060
Incident
Jul 21, 2017
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 17, 2016

WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST POWER AND A HOWLING NOISE NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT IT WAS AND NOTHING VISIBLE NO LEAKS NOTHING. HAD MY WIFE HIT THE HAS AND NO NOISE. STARED DRIVING AND NOISE CAME BACK AND WHITE SMOKE. JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE DONE AND NEXT OIL CHANGE DUE IN ABOUT 1000 MILES. DROVE ABOUT 20 MPH TO GET HOME CHECK OIL AND IT WAS OK. THE WHITE SMOKE MAKES ME THINK THE TURBO WENT ON MY CAR. I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR IN OCTOBER OF 2015. IT'S BEEN BACK TO THE SHOP FOR ELECTRIC PROBLEMS WITH THE KEY AND RADIO THAT STILL NOT RESOLVED. RADIO SHUTS OFF AND BEEPS THAT KEY IS NOT IN CAR.

NHTSA ID
10859985
Incident
Apr 17, 2016
Mileage
108,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Apr 4, 2015

THE BULBS MELTED BOTH BACK TAIL LIGHT LAMPS. A MANUFACTURING DEFECT FROM DEFECTIVE PARTS. WHICH SHOULD BE REPLACE AND REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10703708
Incident
Mar 3, 2015
Mileage
83,490 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 10, 2014

AFTER I HAVE COME TO A STOP THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TCS/DSC INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATE. MY CAR REMAINS ON BUT WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS THROTTLE MY CAR DOES NOT GO ANYWHERE. I HAVE TO TURN OFF MY CAR FOR A MINUTE OR SO AND THEN RESTART BEFORE I CAN DRIVE. THIS HAD HAPPEN 4 TIMES NOW (IN A 2 MONTH TIME FRAME). IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN I AM AT A STOP LIGHT AND DO NOT HAVE A WAY TO GET OFF OF THE ROAD. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON FOR A DAY OR SO AND THEN GOES AWAY. THEN IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON THE ROAD WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED AND HAD TO PULL OFF QUICKLY ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A MAZDA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10643841
Incident
Sep 1, 2014
Mileage
55,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jul 30, 2014

2010 MAZDA CX7. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS PROBLEM. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, HE AND HIS WIFE HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS EIGHT TIMES. ON DECEMBER 12, 2011 THE DRIVER SIDE HEAD LIGHT WENT OUT. THEN ON MARCH 8, 2012 THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WAS VERY COMMON AND HEADLIGHTS COULD GO OUT AT ANY TIME. ANOTHER HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AGAIN ON OCTOBER 30, 2012. THE SAME BULB WENT OUT ON NOVEMBER 10, 2012. THE CONSUMER WENT BACK TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THE BULB WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. ON JANUARY 7, 2013 THE OPPOSITE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. ON JUNE 10, 2013, THE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AGAIN. ON OCTOBER 1, 2013 THE SAME THING HAPPENED. ON JUNE 12, 214, THE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AGAIN. THE DEALER CONTINUED TO SAY, THERE WAS NO DEFECT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10616492
Incident
Dec 12, 2011
Mileage
20,080 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 16, 2013
Crash reported

WHEN DRIVING WITH THE A/C ON, THE ECM SEEMS TO MALFUNCTION AND INCREASE THE SPEED OF THE CAR WHEN THE AC COMPRESSOR TURNS ON. IF YOU ARE IN THE PROCESS OF BRAKING, THE CAR WILL NOT STOP AND IT WILL REQUIRE THE DRIVER TO PRESS HARDER ON THE BRAKES. THE CAR GETS AND EXTRA BOOST OF ENERGY AND EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE BRAKING, THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD AND CONTINUES TO ROLL FURTHER. IF THE DRIVER IS CAUGHT OFF GUARD, THIS WILL LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I CRASHED MY CAR INTO A FAMILY MEMBERS HOUSE AS I WAS PARKING. LUCKILY, THE PARKING BUMPER SLOWED DOWN THE CAR ENOUGH SO AS TO ONLY SLIGHTLY BUMP THE HOUSE. IT HAS HAPPENED IN REGULAR TRAFFIC AS WELL. LUCKILY, I KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE FROM CARS AND BRAKE EARLY BUT NOW I BRAKE EVEN EARLIER JUST IN CASE. VOLKSWAGEN HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY DID A LARGE RECALL ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ISSUE IT INVOLVES. IF YOU OWN A CX-7 KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THIS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE A/C IS ON. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE TIMING IS JUST RIGHT THAT YOU ARE BRAKING AND THE COMPRESSOR TURNS ON A THAT PRECISE MOMENT SO IT WILL CATCH YOU OFF GUARD AND SCARE THE DAYLIGHTS OUT OF YOU. I'VE BEEN LUCKY SO FAR BUT THIS COULD DEFINITELY CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGE IF NOT RECALLED IN ORDER TO FIX. HERE IS THE INFO FROM A RECALL FROM VOLKSWAGEN. VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 4,000 OF ITS CARS. THE AUTOMAKER WILL FIX ENGINE CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE THAT CAN TRIGGER AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM, ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. "THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE CONTAINING SOFTWARE THAT MAY NOT PROPERLY CONTROL ENGINE IDLE WITH THE AIR-CONDITIONING TURNED ON," NHTSA SAID IN ITS SUMMARY OF THE PROBLEM. "IN RARE CASES, THE ECM MAY UNEXPECTEDLY INCREASE ENGINE RPM. AN ENGINE SURGE CAUSED BY AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM MAY SURPRISE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR AND CAN RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING." *TR

NHTSA ID
10543768
Incident
Jun 11, 2013
Mileage
33,500 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 12, 2011

I PURCHASED THE 2010 MAZDA CX7 VEHICLE ABOUT NINE MONTHS AGO. I FREQUENTLY DO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE UNDER MANY CONDITIONS. THE DASH LIGHTS ARE INADEQUATE AND MAKE IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW HOW FAST YOU ARE TRAVELING DAY OR NIGHT. I AM AFRAID I WILL BE TICKETED FOR TRAVELING TOO SLOW OR TOO FAST WHEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS SO POORLY LIGHTED. I HAVE LOOKED AT OTHER 2010 AND 2011 MODELS, AND THEY ARE ALL THE SAME, POORLY LIGHTED. I RECENTLY SPOKE TO SOMEONE WITH ANOTHER MODEL WHO HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT. I FEEL THAT IT IS UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. I HAVE NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA ID
10420154
Incident
Aug 1, 2011
Electrical
Filed Jun 2, 2010

2010 MAZDA CX7. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DESIGN OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND INDICATORS, IN BLACK AND WHITE IS VERY POORLY DESIGNED *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED IN BRIGHT DAY LIGHT, WITH BRIGHTNESS CONTROL AT ITS TOP SETTING, IT WAS STILL COMPLETELY DARK AND IT WAS LIKE LOOKING INTO A BLACK HOLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10334832
Incident
Jun 2, 2010
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed May 7, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA CX-7. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY READING THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IN THE BRIGHT SUNLIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE GAUGES WERE DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT BECAUSE THEY WERE ILLUMINATED WITH A WHITE LIGHTING. FURTHERMORE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPACE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL WERE TOO CLOSE MAKING IT HARD TO DEPRESS THE CORRECT PEDAL WHILE DRIVING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 700. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 414.

NHTSA ID
10329273
Incident
Dec 29, 2009
Mileage
414 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .