IllustrationTransmission went out at 150,232 Also car has a lot blond spots
2011 Mazda CX-7
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2011 Mazda CX-7 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 153.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all CX-7 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
190–25K
1125–50K
1650–75K
775–100K
5100–150K
3150K+
61 reports with mileage · 92 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Suspension. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports
Engine complaints
5 reportsCAR ACCELERATES WHEN IDLING IN DRIVE OR REVERSE EVEN WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. CAUSES MANY NEAR ACCIDENTS WHEN PARKING OR IDLING. SEEMS TO BE CONNECTED WITH AC COMPRESSOR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED.
MY CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD WHEN IDLE AND WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS AND HAS NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN 2013.
PURCHASED (NEW) - JULY 4TH, 2011. ONE MONTH IN, THE FRONT DRIVER TIRE BLOWS OUT ON THE 55 FREEWAY IN COSTA MESA. THE CAR IS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY - TO HAVE A TIRE PLACED ON. THE PRICE WAS SURELY "SURPRISE SURPRISE" - $250.00. WE PUSH TO KNOW WHY THE TIRE WAS SO EXPENSIVE, IT'S BECAUSE THE SIZE IS NEW FOR THIS SIZE…
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PURCHASED (NEW) - JULY 4TH, 2011. ONE MONTH IN, THE FRONT DRIVER TIRE BLOWS OUT ON THE 55 FREEWAY IN COSTA MESA. THE CAR IS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY - TO HAVE A TIRE PLACED ON. THE PRICE WAS SURELY "SURPRISE SURPRISE" - $250.00. WE PUSH TO KNOW WHY THE TIRE WAS SO EXPENSIVE, IT'S BECAUSE THE SIZE IS NEW FOR THIS SIZE VEHICLE AND THERE'S ONE MAKER OF THE TIRE. BRIDGESTONE. WE PAY FOR IT BEGRUDGINGLY, AND GO ABOUT OUR WAY. FEBRUARY 6TH, 2015, 3 YEARS, 6 MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HISTORY IS GOOD, MAINTENANCE IS EXCELLENT (MY WIFE IS A THERAPIST FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SO THAT'S WHY VEHICLE CHOICE WAS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT - TRAVELING CLIENT TO CLIENT IN ADMINISTERING THERAPY SESSIONS) AND WITHOUT WARNING, SHE CANNOT REVERSE. CAR CAN DRIVE FORWARD, YET IS LOSING POWER WHEN THE AUTOMATIC ATTEMPTS TO SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, SO IT JUMPS FROM FIRST TO 3RD. WE TAKE THE VEHICLE TO BROWNING MAZDA IN CERRITOS AND WE ARE ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ($3,200.00). 3 YEARS 6 MONTHS 64,262 MILES, EXCELLENT MAINTENANCE HISTORY, & THIS VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION? THIS FELT LIKE A TERRIBLE JOKE. THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY? 3Y/60K. EXPIRED JUST OVER 4,000 MILES AGO. WE CONTACT MAZDA (CORPORATE) & ARE ADVISED LATER IN THE DAY THAT THEY WOULD PAY HALF OF THE TICKETED AMOUNT. THAT'S STILL EGREGIOUS AS THERE WOULDN'T BE A VEHICLE SOLD IF MOST BUYERS KNEW THAT AT SUCH RIDICULOUSLY LOW MILEAGE, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD FAIL THEM. WE RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE AND HAVE IT LOOKED AT FOR TWO MORE OPINIONS AND APPARENTLY THERE ARE NO CODES INDICATING THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD, YET IT'S OBVIOUSLY THE TRANSMISSION ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC AS INDICATED SIMPLY BY THE TEST DRIVE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A BANGING AND RATTLING SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THE SOUND WAS ALSO HEARD WHEN THE TURBO WAS ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A BANGING AND RATTLING SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THE SOUND WAS ALSO HEARD WHEN THE TURBO WAS ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14.
Official recalls
419V782000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Oct 31, 2019
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 & remedy
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.
18V717000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Oct 12, 2018
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 & remedy
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.
17V429000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jun 29, 2017
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 & remedy
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.
16V593000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
Aug 11, 2016
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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.