NHTSA vehicle safety data
2011 Mazda CX-7 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2011 Mazda CX-7 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 154 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 2011 Mazda CX-7, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2011 Mazda CX-7 owner complaints
Owners have filed 154 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Mazda CX-7, describing incidents dated August 10, 2010 to May 18, 2026.
Most-cited components
- Suspension 51 complaints
- Air Bags 42 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 38 complaints
- Steering 16 complaints
- Power Train 8 complaints
- Electrical System 7 complaints
Of the 154 complaints on file, 8 report a crash; across all 154 complaints, owners report 4 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11771354 · Filed
The contact owns a 2011 Mazda CX-7. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle during or following a heavy rainstorm, the vehicle failed to start immediately. Once started, the engine vibrated, the vehicle failed to accelerate properly, and the check engine warning light…
ODI #11754388 · Filed
The low beam wiring gets hot and melts the connectors to the bulb connection. The low beam headlights have been replaced 8 times in a year due to low visibility. It's like turning off the headlights but they are still on. It's been going on for years. I've taken it to Mazda and the mechanic told me…
ODI #11738584 · Filed
My wheel on front driver's side is wobbly and I just decided to look up for any recalls and I'm lucky we didn't have a major accident I drive the interstate almost daily also I want to report that my door handles have had to be replaced 6 times since we've bought the car in 2019
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
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 #18V717000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported October 12, 2018 · Mazda North American Operations
Potentially affected: 155,436 vehicles
Repair completion: 76.94% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Mazda campaign 1317F · Owners notified November 9, 2018 · Vehicles built April 6, 2009 – December 16, 2011 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Recall group: Takata airbag inflators
Defect description
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.
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 November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. 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 #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
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.
Other Mazda CX-7 model years
Check your 2011 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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