VehicleVerdict

2012 Mazda CX-7 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2012 Mazda CX-7 is among the quieter years of the CX-7 on NHTSA's books: 59 complaints (71% below the model's median year), 4 recalls, and no open investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across suspension (14), airbags (12), and lighting (7), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

59

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other CX-7 years?

CX-7 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted716 complaints2007: 716 complaints2008: 265 complaints2009: 85 complaints2010: 215 complaints2011: 202 complaints2012: 59 complaints2013: 2 complaints
CX-7 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all CX-7 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Mazda CX-7 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension1424%
Airbags1220%
Lighting712%
Electrical System58%
Speed Control35%
Steering35%
Other35%
Visibility & Wipers23%
Fuel System23%
Body & Structure23%
Tires & Wheels23%
Engine12%
Brakes12%
Seats12%
Transmission12%

Does the 2012 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.

17V457000AirbagsJuly 18, 2017 · 79,402 units

Defect

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2012 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 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 included in "Zone A" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 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 included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2007-2008 CX-7 and CX-9 sold, or 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. 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 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 front passenger side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 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 17V-012.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V593000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER (NAPLETON MAZDA BOURBONNAIS, 515 WILLIAM R LATHAM SENIOR DR, BOURBONNAIS, IL 60914) STATED THAT PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 14, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 MAZDA CX-7. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE NECK AND BACK PAINS THAT REQUIRED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 1, 2016 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA CX-7. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED ON, THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE BRIGHT ENOUGH FOR THE DRIVER TO SEE THE ROAD AHEAD. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN AND FAILURE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · May 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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 1, 2015

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 3, 2018 · crash

2012 Mazda CX-7 — common questions

Is the 2012 Mazda CX-7 reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 59 NHTSA complaints, below the typical CX-7 year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2012 CX-7 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (14 complaints), airbags (12 complaints), lighting (7 complaints).

Does the 2012 Mazda CX-7 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 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.