RoadVitals

2012 Mazda CX-7 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
39
Latest Oct 1, 2023
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
14
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 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

  • Suspension1425.0%
  • Airbags1221.4%
  • Exterior lighting712.5%
  • Electrical58.9%
  • Steering35.4%
  • Driver assistance35.4%
  • Visibility23.6%
  • Body & structure23.6%
  • Fuel system23.6%
  • Other / unspecified23.6%
  • Powertrain (other)11.8%
  • Interior & seats11.8%
  • Engine11.8%
  • Brakes11.8%

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.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX-7. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED AT (MOFFITT MAZDA IN BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA) PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V593000 (SUSPENSION) AND THE FAILURE RECURRED DIRECTLY AFTER THE REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000.

NHTSA ID 11097104 · filed May 21, 2018

MAZDA CXC 7 2012 THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL DUE TO FRONT FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT FITTING THAT CAN CAUSE THE BALL JOINT AND LOWER CONTROL ARM TO SEPERATE. THIS CAN CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING RISK OF A CRASH. I CALLED BRIGHT BAY MAZDA IN BAYSHORE NY 1-631-666-6100 AND WAS ADVISED TO BRING CAR IN. I DID AND IT WAS LOOKED OVER. I WAS IT DID NOT NEED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION ON 11/21/2016 AND THAT WHEN THE PARTS CAME IN THEY WOULD FIX THE CAR. I CALLED TODAY 1/19/18 AND WAS TOLD THEY STILL DONT HAVE THE PART AND THAT THIS IS A PRELIMINARY NOTICE THAT GETS SENT TO CAR OWNERS PER SHERRY AT MAZDA. SERIOUSLY 2 YEARS AND NO RESOLUTION. I WANT TO FILE A COMPLAINT.

NHTSA ID 11063715 · filed Jan 19, 2018
All 14 reports naming suspension

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

AIRBAG SENSOR STAYS ON

NHTSA ID 11306879 · filed Feb 3, 2020

THERE ARE 2 RECALLS ISSUED ON MY VEHICLE. ONE IS THE AIRBAGS AND THE OTHER IS THE LOWER ARM CONTROL. I HAVE CONTACTED MAZDA 4 TIMES AND THEY TELL ME THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS AND DON'T HAVE A TIME FRAME THAT I CAN COME IN AND GET THESE ISSUES RESOLVED. BOTH OF THESE RECALLS ARE A SAFETY CONCERN FOR MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN.

NHTSA ID 11031627 · filed Oct 3, 2017
All 12 reports naming airbags

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 11547599 · filed Oct 1, 2023

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

NHTSA ID 11442002 · filed Nov 29, 2021

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.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11405874 · filed Mar 31, 2021

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 ID 11352825 · filed Sep 2, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THERE ARE 2 RECALLS ISSUED ON MY VEHICLE. ONE IS THE AIRBAGS AND THE OTHER IS THE LOWER ARM CONTROL. I HAVE CONTACTED MAZDA 4 TIMES AND THEY TELL ME THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS AND DON'T HAVE A TIME FRAME THAT I CAN COME IN AND GET THESE ISSUES RESOLVED. BOTH OF THESE RECALLS ARE A SAFETY CONCERN FOR MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN.

NHTSA ID 11031627 · filed Oct 3, 2017

TAKATA RECALL - HOW LONG DOES MAZDA HAVE TO REPAIR THIS AS THEY KEEP SAYING THAT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE? I LIVE IN FLORIDA WHERE HUMIDITY IS VERY HIGH. NOT BEING ABLE TO USE THE PASSENGER SEAT IS NOT IDEAL. WHAT RECALL DO I HAVE AND WHAT CAN I DO IF ITS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THIS CAR? THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER RECALL FOR THE STEERING ON MY VEHICLE AND PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE PER THE MAZDA WEBSITE. WHAT RECALL DO I HAVE ON THIS? DOESN'T SOUND LIKE CAR IS VERY SAFE WITH BOTH OF THESE RECALLS.

NHTSA ID 11015440 · filed Aug 15, 2017

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11084695 · filed Apr 12, 2018

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE CONTACT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V012000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V593000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 10969482 · filed Mar 30, 2017

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11155294 · filed Dec 1, 2018

WINDOW MOTORS; SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASE MY VEHICLE MY DRIVER WINDOW WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO GO UP ONCE IT WENT DOWN. THEN IT GOT WORSE AND MADE A LOUD SOUND WHEN IT WENT UP AND ONE WOULD HAVE TO PULL IT UP. NOW THE DRIVER WINDOW DOES THAT. ITS HARD TO GET IT UP ONCE ITS DOWN AND MAKES A LOUD SOUND. I FIND IT STRANGE THAT BOTH WINDOWS ARE NOW NOT WORKING.

NHTSA ID 11051053 · filed Nov 28, 2017

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11501002 · filed Jan 10, 2023

THREE DOOR LATCH SCREWS ON THE DRIVER'S FRONT DOOR CAME COMPLETELY OUT AND WERE MISSING WHEN I DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM. THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE TIGHTLY AND WIND NOISE COULD BE HEARD WHEN DRIVING. THERE WAS A RECALL ON MAZDA 6 VEHICLES WITH EXACTLY THIS SAME PROBLEM. ALSO, THE SCREWS ON THE OTHER 3 DOORS WERE NOT TIGHT AND I HAD TO TIGHTEN THEM. THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED WHILE THE CX7 WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ID 10846251 · filed Mar 12, 2016

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11405874 · filed Mar 31, 2021

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 ID 11187055 · filed Mar 15, 2019

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11501002 · filed Jan 10, 2023

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V593000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER WHEELS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,500. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 11023342 · filed Sep 13, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE ENTERING TRAFFIC AND SURGED WHEN BEING DRIVEN ON AN INCLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED; WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE BRAKE OVER DRIVE SYSTEM. THE BRAKE OVER DRIVE SYSTEM WAS INSPECTED AND WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE BEEN OPERATING NORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE AS 15,000. 8/26/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED THREE INSTANCES OF POWER SURGES WITH THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID 10522903 · filed Jul 2, 2013

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

AIRBAG SENSOR STAYS ON

NHTSA ID 11306879 · filed Feb 3, 2020

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11405874 · filed Mar 31, 2021

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11501002 · filed Jan 10, 2023

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

Data on this page last refreshed .