2011 Mazda CX-7 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 Mazda CX-7, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Suspension5126.2%
- Airbags4221.5%
- Exterior lighting3819.5%
- Steering168.2%
- Powertrain (other)73.6%
- Electrical73.6%
- Visibility63.1%
- Engine63.1%
- Brakes52.6%
- Driver assistance42.1%
- Fuel system31.5%
- Interior & seats31.5%
- Other / unspecified31.5%
- Body & structure31.5%
- Tires & wheels10.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR BALL JOINTS HOWEVER NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE AT THE TIME TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. WAITED OVER A YEAR AND THE BALL JOINT LET GO SO I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE MY MAZDA. I TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND HAD IT FIXED. 3 MONTHS LATER I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM MAZDA THAT THE PARTS WERE IN. I CALLED MAZDA 3 TIMES ASKING FOR A REIMBURSEMENT AS I HAD TO PAY OUT OF MY OWN POCKET FOR A RECALL THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY CALLS BACK. I WOULD LIKE TO BE COMPENSATED FOR MY OUT OF POCKET COSTS TO REPAIR THE BALL JOINTS.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 using high beam headlights to drive and they are just like having regular low beams on.. I've used halogen as well as led trying to fix it nothing has worked
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.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVE SIDE FRONT TIRE CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH. BALL JOINT SEPARATED. CAR SLIDE HIT CUB AND TIRE ON PASSENGER SIDE WAS HIT AND BLEW OUT. THERE IS RECALL ON BALL JOINT. I DID NOT GET NOTICE.
THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE IN OCT 2016 , I HAD ALREADY LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND HAD AN ACCIDENT IN SEPT 2016 AND HAD TO PAY INSURANCE FEES STORAGE FEES AND LOST WAGES DUE TO ACCIDENT. MAZDA SENT ME A LETTER AS OF MARCH 2018 SAYING THAT THET NOW HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX IT AFTER 6 MONTHS..I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND LOST CONTROL OF STEERING AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED CAR. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT HOW I CAN BE COMPENSATED BECAUSE I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF DEFECT
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE TRANSMISSION JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN WOULD NOT REVERSE THE VEHICLE
ON 4/18/18 - WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, ALL OF A SUDDEN AND WITH NO WARNING, PUSHING GAS PEDAL, IT REVED UP INTO GEAR, STAYED THERE AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN BANGED INTO NEXT GEAR AND PROCEEDED TO DO THE SAME THROUGH THE REMAINING GEARS. THEN THE AT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. I TURNED THE CAR AROUND AND DROVE BACK TO THE OFFICE (THIS WAS AT LUNCH TIME). WHEN I LEFT THE OFFICE FOR THE EVENING, THE CAR NOW WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. I ENDED UP HAVING IT TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. I WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. NOW I WOULD PROBABLY BE INCLINED TO AGREE BUT THE CAR DOES NOT EVEN HAVE 65K MILES ON IT!!! EVERYONE I HAVE TALKED TO SAID THAT IS NOT NORMAL FOR A TRANSMISSION TO GO WITH THAT FEW MILES ON IT. SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG HERE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 using high beam headlights to drive and they are just like having regular low beams on.. I've used halogen as well as led trying to fix it nothing has worked
MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. I HAVE TO PUT IN NEW HEAD LIGHT BULBS EVERY FEW MONTHS. I HAVE CHANGED THE HEAD LIGHT BULB ON BOTH SIDES FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR. CURRENTLY MY RIGHT HEAD LIGHT IS OUT AGAIN. I PURCHASED ANOTHER BULB AND HAVE TO PAY FOR A MECHANIC TO FIX MY HEAD LIGHT THIS WEEK.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
During a rainy evening I could not see with the wipers on max speed and the headlights on low beam. I couldn't see the road unless a car was in front of me or I turn on my high beams. My son was in the car with me and several times I had to go at a crawling speed and still barely stayed on the road because of low visibilty. This has happened more than once and I feel unsafe driving now because I feel like I'm driving with no lights on at all these days without rain and rain makes it 10x worse.
Low beam headlights are so poor that they barely illuminate the roadway when driving at night. I've replaced them with Sylvania Silverstar Max bulbs as well as tried LED bulbs and neither help. Makes the car almost worthless to drive at night due to the limited visibility. It has slowly gotten worse since my purchase of the vehicle in 2016.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Transmission went out at 150,232 Also car has a lot blond spots
CAR ACCELERATES WHEN IDLING IN DRIVE OR REVERSE EVEN WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. CAUSES MANY NEAR ACCIDENTS WHEN PARKING OR IDLING. SEEMS TO BE CONNECTED WITH AC COMPRESSOR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
2011 MAZDA CX-7. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM CORROSION AND DAMAGES. *SMD *JS THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS. *JS
RECALL REPAIRS NOT AVAILABLE .
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
Transmission went out at 150,232 Also car has a lot blond spots
CAR ACCELERATES WHEN IDLING IN DRIVE OR REVERSE EVEN WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. CAUSES MANY NEAR ACCIDENTS WHEN PARKING OR IDLING. SEEMS TO BE CONNECTED WITH AC COMPRESSOR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON-GOING ISSUES WITH GAS PUMP SHUTTING OFF AT PUMP. TOOK CAR TO GET IT CHECK. BACK AND FORTH WITH DEALER TO FINE ISSUE FOR OVER SEVERAL MONTHS PERIOD. ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TWICE. CUSTOMER REQUEST DEALER TO CHECK FUEL SYSTEMS. GAS LEAK DISCOVERED, ALONG WITH CLOGGED FUEL VAPOR LINES. SPIDER WEBS NEAR FUEL LINES. CUSTOMER SUSPECT FUEL SYSTEM DEFECT. DEALER SUGGEST FUEL SYSTEM REPLACEMENT. SINCE OUT OF WARRANTY, CUSTOMER REACH OUT TO MANUFACTURER.
I WAS DRIVING AT A NORMAL RATE OF SPEED ON A FAIRLY BUSY STREET WHEN THE CAR JUST SUDDENLY DECELERATED, CAUSING THE CAR BEHIND ME TO SWERVE TO NARROWLY AVOID ME. THANKFULLY HE ALSO AVOIDED HITTING ANYONE ELSE. MY CAR CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD, BUT WITH NO ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. I MANAGED TO GET CLEAR OF TRAFFIC AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO A REPAIR PLACE NEARBY. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE THROTTLE BODY WAS BAD, AND THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR IS A 2011, LESS THAN 60K MILES ON IT WITH REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND HAS NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES UNTIL THIS. THE COMPLETE AND IMMEDIATE DECELERATION SEEMS QUITE DANGEROUS IN MY OPINION. AND HAVING DONE SOME READING ONLINE, THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM THAT MAZDA IS AWARE OF YET HAS DONE NOTHING TO RECTIFY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
LEFT/DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT (MANUAL) HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT IS INOPERABLE. THE SEAT IS STUCK IN HIGHEST POSITION. A DRIVER CAN NO LONGER ADJUST SEAT TO A PROPER DRIVING HEIGHT. THIS OCCURRED IN DECEMBER 2015 VEHICLE WILL BE SERVICED BY A MAZDA DEALERSHIP IN NEXT FEW DAY'S- DEALERSHIP SERVICE ADVISER STATES THEY NEED TO EXAMINE SEAT TO ORDER THE PART'S. I HAD INQUIRED ABOUT PURCHASING A NEW FRONT SEAT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS AUTOMATIC LOCK SYSTEM FAILED AND THEY DO NOT LOCK AUTOMATICALLY. THE DOOR CAN ONLY BE LOCKED MANUALLY. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE DOOR LOCK SYSTEM; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,500.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVE SIDE FRONT TIRE CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH. BALL JOINT SEPARATED. CAR SLIDE HIT CUB AND TIRE ON PASSENGER SIDE WAS HIT AND BLEW OUT. THERE IS RECALL ON BALL JOINT. I DID NOT GET NOTICE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CARDINALEWAY MAZDA MESA (6343 E TEST DR, MESA, AZ 85206, (480) 401-5212) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE TWO LOOSE LUG NUTS ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE AND BOTH REAR TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. *TT CONSUMER BOUGHT NEW TIRES.*JB *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
EVERY SINCE I FIRST PURCHASED MY CAR, MY DOOR HANDLES ARE VERY LOOSE, I'VE HAD TO GET THE DRIVER ONE FIXED AND IT'S LOOSE AGAIN. IT CAUSES ME TO NOT BE ABLE TO USE THAT DOOR. ALL MY WINDOWS WILL NOT GO UP ONCE I PUT THEM DOWN AND THEY ARE ALSO MAKING NOISES. MY HEADLIGHTS ARE DIMMER FROM WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR, AND I HAVE TO KEEP REPLACING THEM BECAUSE THEY KEEP GOING OUT. *TR
AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK SYSTEM LOCKED ALL DOORS AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THERE IS NO MECHANICAL OVER RIDE AND THE DRIVE WAS TRAPPED IN THE CAR. AFTER ATTEMPTING RELEASE MULTIPLE TIMES THE LOCK RELEASED AND THE DRIVER COULD EXIT BY CLIMBING OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE AND EXITING THE PASSENGER DOOR. WHEN OUTSIDE THE CAR AND ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK IT THE DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF. IF THIS HAD BEEN AN EMERGENCY OR A CAR FIRE THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE DIED. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED TO A MAZDA CX7 BECAUSE THERE IS A UTUBE PROCEDURE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. MAZDA NEEDS TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND FIX THE PROBLEM WITH A MECHANICAL OVER RIDE PROCEDURE. I DON'T KNOW IF THE CX5 AND CX9 HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT MY GUESS IS YES. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN STORE PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN IN AB ACCIDENT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
PURCHASED (NEW) - JULY 4TH, 2011. ONE MONTH IN, THE FRONT DRIVER TIRE BLOWS OUT ON THE 55 FREEWAY IN COSTA MESA. THE CAR IS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY - TO HAVE A TIRE PLACED ON. THE PRICE WAS SURELY "SURPRISE SURPRISE" - $250.00. WE PUSH TO KNOW WHY THE TIRE WAS SO EXPENSIVE, IT'S BECAUSE THE SIZE IS NEW FOR THIS SIZE VEHICLE AND THERE'S ONE MAKER OF THE TIRE. BRIDGESTONE. WE PAY FOR IT BEGRUDGINGLY, AND GO ABOUT OUR WAY. FEBRUARY 6TH, 2015, 3 YEARS, 6 MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HISTORY IS GOOD, MAINTENANCE IS EXCELLENT (MY WIFE IS A THERAPIST FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SO THAT'S WHY VEHICLE CHOICE WAS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT - TRAVELING CLIENT TO CLIENT IN ADMINISTERING THERAPY SESSIONS) AND WITHOUT WARNING, SHE CANNOT REVERSE. CAR CAN DRIVE FORWARD, YET IS LOSING POWER WHEN THE AUTOMATIC ATTEMPTS TO SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, SO IT JUMPS FROM FIRST TO 3RD. WE TAKE THE VEHICLE TO BROWNING MAZDA IN CERRITOS AND WE ARE ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ($3,200.00). 3 YEARS 6 MONTHS 64,262 MILES, EXCELLENT MAINTENANCE HISTORY, & THIS VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION? THIS FELT LIKE A TERRIBLE JOKE. THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY? 3Y/60K. EXPIRED JUST OVER 4,000 MILES AGO. WE CONTACT MAZDA (CORPORATE) & ARE ADVISED LATER IN THE DAY THAT THEY WOULD PAY HALF OF THE TICKETED AMOUNT. THAT'S STILL EGREGIOUS AS THERE WOULDN'T BE A VEHICLE SOLD IF MOST BUYERS KNEW THAT AT SUCH RIDICULOUSLY LOW MILEAGE, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD FAIL THEM. WE RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE AND HAVE IT LOOKED AT FOR TWO MORE OPINIONS AND APPARENTLY THERE ARE NO CODES INDICATING THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD, YET IT'S OBVIOUSLY THE TRANSMISSION ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC AS INDICATED SIMPLY BY THE TEST DRIVE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .