VehicleVerdict

2010 Mazda CX-7 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2010 Mazda CX-7 sits mid-pack among CX-7 years: 215 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 203, with 5 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across suspension (52), airbags (46), and engine (22), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

215

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other CX-7 years?

CX-7 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted716 complaints2007: 716 complaints2008: 265 complaints2009: 85 complaints2010: 215 complaints2011: 202 complaints2012: 59 complaints2013: 2 complaints
CX-7 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all CX-7 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Mazda CX-7 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension5224%
Airbags4621%
Engine2210%
Lighting2210%
Electrical System157%
Steering105%
Other94%
Tires & Wheels84%
Speed Control73%
Transmission63%
Brakes63%
Body & Structure52%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Seats21%
Fuel System21%

Does the 2010 Mazda CX-7 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V782000AirbagsOctober 31, 2019 · 69,879 units

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.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

18V717000AirbagsOctober 12, 2018 · 155,436 units

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.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

18V018000AirbagsJanuary 9, 2018 · 70,227 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2013 Mazda6 and 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 2010 Mazda6, CX-7 and CX-9 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 covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 Mazda6, CX-7, and 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.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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 March 2, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.

17V429000AirbagsJune 29, 2017 · 205,377 units

Defect

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Mazda6, and 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 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 16V356 and all vehicles that were not remedied under that campaign are now covered by this one.

16V593000SuspensionAugust 11, 2016 · 190,102 units

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.

Consequence

A loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

WE WERE NOTIFIED OF A SAFETY RECALL IN AUGUST 2016 AT THE TIME THEY INFORMED US A FIX WAS UNAVAILABLE AND WE WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN ONE WAS AVAILABLE. THE RECALL INCLUDES THE POSSIBLE LOSE OF STEERING DURING OPERATION. DO DATE, SEPTEMBER 6, 2017 NO INFORMATION HAS BEEN RECEIVED REGARDING PARTS, A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · September 5, 2017

2010 MAZDA CX-7 WAITING ON THE GREEN LIGHT WAS HIT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE WITHOUT SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYING. I HAVE PHOTOS IF THIS WOULD HELP. POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS WERE CONFUSED AS TO WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FROM FRONT PILLAR TO REAR DOOR WAS IMPACTED. THE FRONT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 11, 2010 · crash

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 #…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 20, 2022 · fire

HEAD LIGHT BULBS WERE BURNING OUT AND COULD NOT BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE CLIPS WERE BROKEN. I WAS TOLD THIS IS QUITE COMMON IN THE DESIGN AND IN THEIR INFINITE WISDOM, MAZDA REFUSES TO SELL NEW CLIPS, INSTEAD, I WAS FORCED TO BUY TWO NEW HEADLIGHT FIXTURES TO THE TUNE OF $1200 FOR PARTS AND 300 FOR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · December 21, 2017

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 #…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 20, 2022 · fire

2010 Mazda CX-7 — common questions

Is the 2010 Mazda CX-7 reliable?

It is close to typical for the CX-7: 215 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2010 CX-7 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (52 complaints), airbags (46 complaints), engine (22 complaints).

Does the 2010 Mazda CX-7 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Mazda CX-7. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mazda CX-7 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the CX-7 years to avoid are 2007. The cleanest record among CX-7 years belongs to 2013.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.