NHTSA vehicle safety data

2009 Mazda CX-7 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2009 Mazda CX-7 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 65 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mazda dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2009 Mazda CX-7, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2009 Mazda CX-7 owner complaints

Owners have filed 65 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Mazda CX-7, describing incidents dated December 1, 2008 to November 24, 2024.

Most-cited components

Engine 20 complaints
Suspension 20 complaints
Air Bags 17 complaints
Steering 5 complaints
Exterior Lighting 4 complaints
Unknown or Other 4 complaints

Of the 65 complaints on file, 1 reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11769109 · Filed October 5, 2026
Air bag sensor light won't go off, corrosion around the subframe engine light won't go off AC
ODI #11631870 · Filed December 20, 2024
I purchased a car from Best Buy Motors in Spanaway, WA on [XXX]. Three days later I took the car in for an oil change and my mechanic cited safety issues and identified the rear brakes were faulty and deemed them a safety hazard. I repaired the brakes because I did not want to continue driving them…
ODI #11300056 · Filed January 17, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND BOTH REAR WINDOWS FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED GOING UP AND DOWN. THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED DESPITE HAVING THE TIRES CHECKED FOR PROPER TIRE PRESSURE AND FOLLOWING THE…

Read all 65 complaints

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #19V782000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported October 31, 2019 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 69,879 vehicles

Repair completion: 67.9% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 1317F · Owners notified December 3, 2019 · Vehicles built February 14, 2006 – December 16, 2011 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

DO NOT DRIVE — this recall carries a "do not drive" advisory. Contact a Mazda dealer immediately.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #18V018000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 9, 2018 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 70,227 vehicles

Repair completion: 72.19% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 1317F · Owners notified March 2, 2018 · Vehicles built May 6, 2008 – October 1, 2010 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

DO NOT DRIVE — this recall carries a "do not drive" advisory. Contact a Mazda dealer immediately.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #17V457000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported July 18, 2017 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 79,402 vehicles

Repair completion: 62.3% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 1317F · Owners notified October 4, 2017 · Vehicles built February 14, 2006 – January 6, 2009 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

DO NOT DRIVE — this recall carries a "do not drive" advisory. Contact a Mazda dealer immediately.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #17V429000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported June 29, 2017 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 205,377 vehicles

Repair completion: 44.38% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 1317F · Owners notified August 30, 2017 · Vehicles built February 14, 2006 – October 20, 2011 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

DO NOT DRIVE — this recall carries a "do not drive" advisory. Contact a Mazda dealer immediately.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Lower Control Arm and Ball Joint Separation

NHTSA #16V593000 · Suspension — Front — Control Arm — Lower Ball Joint · NHTSA notice

Reported August 11, 2016 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 190,102 vehicles

Repair completion: 56.73% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 9716H · Owners notified September 20, 2017 · Vehicles built February 14, 2006 – May 9, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

AFTERMARKET ROOF MOUNTED LOAD CARRIERS

NHTSA #09E011000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported April 2, 2009 · THULE, INC.

Potentially affected: 2,323 vehicles

Owners notified April 17, 2009

Defect description

THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS.

Safety consequence

THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

THULE WILL MAIL A RETRO FIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THULE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-238-2388.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO THULE AFTERMARKET ROOF MOUNTED LOAD CARRIERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

2009 Mazda CX-7 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

15% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

65 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Mazda CX-7.

Suspension; Air Bags; Unknown or Other

ODI #11769109

Incident: September 10, 2024 · Filed: October 5, 2026

Air bag sensor light won't go off, corrosion around the subframe engine light won't go off AC

Service Brakes; Forward Collision Avoidance

ODI #11631870

Incident: November 24, 2024 · Filed: December 20, 2024

I purchased a car from Best Buy Motors in Spanaway, WA on [XXX]. Three days later I took the car in for an oil change and my mechanic cited safety issues and identified the rear brakes were faulty and deemed them a safety hazard. I repaired the brakes because I did not want to continue driving them under those conditions. My mechanic stated that the dealership was wrong for selling the car with the brake pads so thin and worn. My bill for the brakes and oil change was $778.28. I called the dealership and asked them to pay for the "parts" $388.08. They talked to the mechanic and came back with parts for $119. They could have fixed the brakes for that amount before they sold it to me. My issue is that they had the car on the lot for over 6 weeks and allowed people to test drive the car with faulty rear brakes. That is hazardous to me and to people who are on the road. I still have the rotors and pads that were taken off the car. I showed the old parts to another mechanic and he agreed that it was indeed a safety hazard to be driving with them in that condition. I only asked them to pay for the parts, not the labor and they refused. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Electrical System; Engine; Visibility/Wiper

ODI #11300056

Incident: December 11, 2019 · Filed: January 17, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND BOTH REAR WINDOWS FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED GOING UP AND DOWN. THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED DESPITE HAVING THE TIRES CHECKED FOR PROPER TIRE PRESSURE AND FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED TO RESET THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT. ADDITIONALLY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS RESET BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 20 MPH AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR AND OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,800.

Air Bags

ODI #11291086

Incident: December 12, 2019 · Filed: December 24, 2019

IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE AIRBAG LIGHT BY THE SPEEDOMETER FLASHES TWICE, STOPS, FLASHES TWICE, THEN STOPS. THIS CONTINUES FOR ABOUT 20-30 SECONDS AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED AND IS RUNNING/IDLING. ONCE THE 20-30 SECONDS HAVE PASSED, THE AIRBAG LIGHT THEN REMAINS PERMANENTLY LIT. IT REMAINS LIT WHILE DRIVING. THE CYCLE STARTS AGAIN ONCE THE CAR IS RESTARTED.

Engine

ODI #11266866

Incident: August 30, 2019 · Filed: October 7, 2019

THE MAZDA HAS MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH TURBO BOOSTER FUNCTIONING AND MALFUNCTIONING CAUSING AIR POLLUTION ISSUES WITH BILLOWING WHITE SMOKE FR TAILPIPE, MAZDA DOES NOT WARRANTY THIS BY ONGOING ISSUES WITH SOME REPAIRS HAVING TO BE DONE AS EARLY AS 60000 MILES,. MY CAR IS LESS THAN 100000 MILES WITH EXTENSIVE REPAIR REQUIRED TO RESOLVE ISSUE, REPAIRS AS EXPENSIVE AS 3000 DOLLARS. THE SMOKE IS SO THICK IS IMPAIRS THE VISION OF CARS THAT MAYBE BEHIND VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED AND RESOLVED, CAR OWNERS SHOULD BE MADE AWARE WHEN PURCHASING THESE MAZDA OF THIS HEAVILY UNRELIABLE IMPORTANT PART OF THE VEHICLE TO MAKE THE DECISION BEFOREHAND IF THEY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS SHOULD THEY OCCUR.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11253718

Incident: January 1, 2019 · Filed: September 6, 2019

TAKATA RECALL. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE A DANGER. MY 2009 MAZDA CX-7 IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE INSIDE OF THE LAMPS ARE ALL COATED. I NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT. THEY ARE JUST A DEATH TRAP. I CANNOT USE THEM. I USE MY BRIGHTS SO I DON'T GET IN AN ACCIDENT.

Unknown or Other; Engine

ODI #11143450

Incident: October 1, 2018 · Filed: October 27, 2018

THE EXHAUST FROM THIS CAR IS HORRIBLE. CAUSING BREATHING ISSUES

Air Bags

ODI #11114976

Incident: June 4, 2018 · Filed: July 31, 2018

"TAKATA RECALL" INDICATOR AIRBAG LIGHT HAVING ISSUES?

Suspension

ODI #11097061

Incident: August 29, 2016 · Filed: May 21, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V593000 (SUSPENSION) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (HYMAN BROTHERS MAZDA, 12602 JEFFERSON AVENUE NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA 23602) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Suspension; Air Bags

ODI #11043644

Incident: October 6, 2017 · Filed: November 6, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LACKED STABILITY WHEN BEING OPERATED AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V429000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V593000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE REMEDY COMPLETED DUE TO LACK OF COMMUNICATION BY THE DEALER (DENNIS DILLON MAZDA, 9501 W FAIRVIEW AVE, BOISE, ID). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,142. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Other Mazda CX-7 model years

Check your 2009 Mazda CX-7 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mazda CX-7 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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