2012 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 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.
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.
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.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIRBAG SENSOR STAYS ON
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.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
No matter the bulbs I use, the headlights are always dim. This is incredibly unsafe for night driving.
The headlights are too dim for safe night driving. Bulbs also fail yearly. This is a common problem reported with 2012 MAZDA CX7
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
AIRBAG SENSOR STAYS ON
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
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.
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
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.
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 .