VehicleVerdict

2011 Mazda CX-7 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2011 Mazda CX-7 sits mid-pack among CX-7 years: 202 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 202, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations.

Suspension leads the complaint categories with 51 reports (25% of the total).

202

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other CX-7 years?

CX-7 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted716 complaints2007: 716 complaints2008: 265 complaints2009: 85 complaints2010: 215 complaints2011: 202 complaints2012: 59 complaints2013: 2 complaints
CX-7 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all CX-7 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Mazda CX-7 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension5125%
Airbags4221%
Lighting3819%
Steering168%
Other73%
Transmission73%
Visibility & Wipers63%
Engine63%
Electrical System63%
Tires & Wheels52%
Brakes52%
Fuel System31%
Body & Structure31%
Speed Control31%
Latches & Locks21%
Driver Assistance10%
Seats10%

Does the 2011 Mazda CX-7 have recalls?

4 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.

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.

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · September 21, 2016 · crash

TAKATA RECALL ON AUGUST 30 2016 I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET BREAKING AS I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT WHEN MY 2011 MAZDA CX7 WAS REAR ENDED AND SLID INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL TODAY ABOUT A REACALL WITH A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 30, 2016 · crash

THE CONTROLS ESSENTIAL FOR VEHICLE OPERATION (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, TRANSMISSION GEAR PLACEMENT), OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE CENTER "CLUSTER" CONTROLS ARE ILLUMINATED REGARDLESS IF HEADLIGHTS ARE ON OR OFF. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS, THUS MAKING THIS ISSUE MORE PRESSING.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · July 26, 2011 · crash

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 21, 2016 · crash

VEHICLE EXHIBITS SUDDEN ACCELERATION. APPROX 25% TO 35% OF THE TIME VEHICLE WILL LURCH FORWARD WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. VEHICLE BEHAVES AS IF THE ACCELERATOR IF PRESSED DOWN ALL THE WAY, EVEN THOUGH IT IS BARELY ENGAGED. SOMETIMES THE ACCELERATION IS SO STRONG THAT THE TIRES WILL BREAK LOOSE.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 1, 2014 · crash

2011 Mazda CX-7 — common questions

Is the 2011 Mazda CX-7 reliable?

It is close to typical for the CX-7: 202 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2011 CX-7 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (51 complaints), airbags (42 complaints), lighting (38 complaints).

Does the 2011 Mazda CX-7 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 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.