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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 Mazda CX-7 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2012 Mazda CX-7 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 39 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 2012 Mazda CX-7, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2012 Mazda CX-7 owner complaints

Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Mazda CX-7, describing incidents dated April 2, 2012 to November 29, 2021.

Most-cited components

  • Suspension 14 complaints
  • Air Bags 12 complaints
  • Exterior Lighting 7 complaints
  • Electrical System 5 complaints
  • Steering 3 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 3 complaints

Of the 39 complaints on file, 4 report a crash; across all 39 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11547599 · Filed

    No matter the bulbs I use, the headlights are always dim. This is incredibly unsafe for night driving.

  • ODI #11501002 · Filed

    There is excessive rust on this MAZDA. We drive in NYC, and i believe due to the close proximity to the ocean this Mazda was not properly prepared.

  • ODI #11442002 · Filed

    The headlights are too dim for safe night driving. Bulbs also fail yearly. This is a common problem reported with 2012 MAZDA CX7

Read all 39 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 #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

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 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 #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 October 24, 2011 – May 9, 2012 (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.

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 2012 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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