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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.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

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

What owners actually said

153 reports
61,000 miles · Dec 15, 2015
Power TrainCrash

ON 12/14/2015, I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60-65 MPH ON A MARYLAND HIGHWAY AT AROUND 10AM. I WAS IN THE NEXT LANE BESIDE THE FAST LANE. THE 2011 MAZDA CX7 STARTED TO DECELERATE. I LOOKED DOWN AT THE GAGES TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T INADVERTENTLY GO INTO NEUTRAL. I WAS STILL IN DRIVE. I HIT THE BRAKE, NOT COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND TH…

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ON 12/14/2015, I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60-65 MPH ON A MARYLAND HIGHWAY AT AROUND 10AM. I WAS IN THE NEXT LANE BESIDE THE FAST LANE. THE 2011 MAZDA CX7 STARTED TO DECELERATE. I LOOKED DOWN AT THE GAGES TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T INADVERTENTLY GO INTO NEUTRAL. I WAS STILL IN DRIVE. I HIT THE BRAKE, NOT COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND THEN STEPPED BACK ON THE GAS, PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. IT WENT DOWN TO ABOUT 20 MPH. IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR I SAW A TRACTOR TRAILER COMING TOWARD ME AND THERE WAS NO WHERE I COULD MOVE, AND I COULD NOT SEE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRAILER TO GO INTO THE NEXT LANE WITHOUT HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. I WAS HIT IN THE REAR BY THE TRAILER. I HAD ON MY SEATBELT AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I CHECKED FOR CARS IN THE FAST LANE AND SLOWLY MOVED ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE DRIVER OF THE TRUCK FOLLOWED ME. I PURCHASED THE CAR USED LAST YEAR FROM MILE ONE IN BALTIMORE, MD. THE CAR FAX FOR THE VEHICLE WAS GREAT, WITH NO ISSUES. I GOT OIL CHANGES EVERY 6K MILES, MY LAST ONE BEING IN SEPTEMBER 2015, AT JIFFY LUBE. THIS WAS MY FIRST INSTANCE WITH ANY ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION ISSUES. IF THERE WAS AN ISSUE, I DID NOT GET ANY INDICATION LIGHT ON MY DASH BOARD THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10810217

58,000 miles · Nov 5, 2015
Exterior Lighting

MY FRONT HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM I CAN HARDLY SEE WHEN DRIVING AFTER DUSK. EVEN WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON I CAN ONLY SEE ABOUT TWO CAR LENGTHS IN FRONT OF ME. THEY LOOK FOGGED UP. I WAS GETTING GAS LAST WEEK AND A GENTLEMAN CAME OVER AND ASKED IF HE COULD CLEAN MY HEADLIGHTS...FREE OF CHARGE BUT HE FELT IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS FOR ME…

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MY FRONT HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM I CAN HARDLY SEE WHEN DRIVING AFTER DUSK. EVEN WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON I CAN ONLY SEE ABOUT TWO CAR LENGTHS IN FRONT OF ME. THEY LOOK FOGGED UP. I WAS GETTING GAS LAST WEEK AND A GENTLEMAN CAME OVER AND ASKED IF HE COULD CLEAN MY HEADLIGHTS...FREE OF CHARGE BUT HE FELT IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS FOR ME TO DRIVE. I TOLD HIM I AGREED BUT THAT THEY COULDN'T BE CLEANED. HE DID GIVE IT A TRY BUT IT WAS FUTILE. THE FILM THAT SEEMS TO BE COVERING THE LENS IS ON THE INSIDE...OR I THINK IT IS BECAUSE IT CANNOT BE SCRUBBED OFF. IT IS REALLY SCARY DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND NEW LIGHT BULBS DID NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE. I BELIEVE IT IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT THAT IF JUST BEING IGNORED.

NHTSA ODI #10788487

44,000 miles · Sep 30, 2015
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT HEAD LAMPS WOULD NOT PROJECT MORE THAN 10 FEET IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND NEW BULBS WERE INSTALLED, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LENS COVER WAS FOGGY AND STATED TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT HEAD LAMPS WOULD NOT PROJECT MORE THAN 10 FEET IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND NEW BULBS WERE INSTALLED, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LENS COVER WAS FOGGY AND STATED THAT THE HIGH BEAMS HAD TO BE ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. UPDATED 11/18/15*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10778810

57,935 miles · Aug 17, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING AT A NORMAL RATE OF SPEED ON A FAIRLY BUSY STREET WHEN THE CAR JUST SUDDENLY DECELERATED, CAUSING THE CAR BEHIND ME TO SWERVE TO NARROWLY AVOID ME. THANKFULLY HE ALSO AVOIDED HITTING ANYONE ELSE. MY CAR CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD, BUT WITH NO ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. I MANAGED TO GET CLEAR OF TRAFFIC AND WAS ABLE TO G…

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I WAS DRIVING AT A NORMAL RATE OF SPEED ON A FAIRLY BUSY STREET WHEN THE CAR JUST SUDDENLY DECELERATED, CAUSING THE CAR BEHIND ME TO SWERVE TO NARROWLY AVOID ME. THANKFULLY HE ALSO AVOIDED HITTING ANYONE ELSE. MY CAR CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD, BUT WITH NO ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. I MANAGED TO GET CLEAR OF TRAFFIC AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO A REPAIR PLACE NEARBY. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE THROTTLE BODY WAS BAD, AND THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR IS A 2011, LESS THAN 60K MILES ON IT WITH REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND HAS NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES UNTIL THIS. THE COMPLETE AND IMMEDIATE DECELERATION SEEMS QUITE DANGEROUS IN MY OPINION. AND HAVING DONE SOME READING ONLINE, THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM THAT MAZDA IS AWARE OF YET HAS DONE NOTHING TO RECTIFY.

NHTSA ODI #10749260

43,000 miles · Aug 13, 2015
Exterior Lighting

I BOUGHT THIS CAR NOVEMBER OF 2013 I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH HEADLIGHTS ONCE AND THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT TWICE. THE HEADLIGHT COVERS EITHER RETAIN MOISTURE OR HEAT UP TO THE POINT THAT IT IS BURNING THE LIGHTS OUT OR MELTING THE COVER. THE COVERS ARE SO FOGGED UP THAT I HAVE TO HAVE THE LIGHTS ON BRIGHT ALL THE TIME TO HAVE ENOUGH…

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I BOUGHT THIS CAR NOVEMBER OF 2013 I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH HEADLIGHTS ONCE AND THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT TWICE. THE HEADLIGHT COVERS EITHER RETAIN MOISTURE OR HEAT UP TO THE POINT THAT IT IS BURNING THE LIGHTS OUT OR MELTING THE COVER. THE COVERS ARE SO FOGGED UP THAT I HAVE TO HAVE THE LIGHTS ON BRIGHT ALL THE TIME TO HAVE ENOUGH LIGHT TO SEE. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT MOST PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT EVERY 4 TO 6 MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI #10748611

41,163 miles · Jul 23, 2015
Service Brakes

ABS MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY ON. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE ELECTRICAL CABLE FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ABS SENSOR WAS BROKEN. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT WHY AND HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN TO A SYSTEM DESIGNED FOR PERSONAL SAFETY AND HOPE FOR IMPROVEMENT OF DESIGN TO PREVENT DAMAGE OR BREAKAGE TO THIS CABLE. I AM ALS…

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ABS MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY ON. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE ELECTRICAL CABLE FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ABS SENSOR WAS BROKEN. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT WHY AND HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN TO A SYSTEM DESIGNED FOR PERSONAL SAFETY AND HOPE FOR IMPROVEMENT OF DESIGN TO PREVENT DAMAGE OR BREAKAGE TO THIS CABLE. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT THIS ISSUE WAS NOT TREATED WITH THE ATTENTION IT SHOULD HAVE AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD BE SPLICED TOGETHER AT A COST OF $60.00. REALLY? IS THIS SAFE TO DO? THIS SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW AND BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA ODI #10736110

85,000 miles · Jul 14, 2015
Air BagsExterior Lighting

1. WARNING ILLUMINATOR LIGHT ON INDICATING DRIVER/PASSENGER AIRBAGS MAY REQUIRE REPAIR AND/OR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. 2. REAR TAIL LIGHT: BULB HAS BECOME SO HOT THE BULB IS LITERALLY BURNING THROUGH THE RED CASING OF THE BREAK LIGHT - CONDENSATION OR WIRING IS CAUSING THE BULB TO OVERHEAT.

NHTSA ODI #10733816

8,000 miles · Apr 24, 2015
Exterior Lighting

FROM THE TIME I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD RETAIN MOISTURE AND FOG UP. THIS HAS SUPPOSEDLY BEEN REPAIRED BY MAZDA, BUT RECURS AND RESULTS WITH POOR HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION. THE ILLUMINATION PROVIDED BY MY HEADLIGHTS IS REDUCED CONSIDERABLY DUE TO THIS DEFECT. I HAVE 17,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE NOW AND HAVE RE…

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FROM THE TIME I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD RETAIN MOISTURE AND FOG UP. THIS HAS SUPPOSEDLY BEEN REPAIRED BY MAZDA, BUT RECURS AND RESULTS WITH POOR HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION. THE ILLUMINATION PROVIDED BY MY HEADLIGHTS IS REDUCED CONSIDERABLY DUE TO THIS DEFECT. I HAVE 17,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE NOW AND HAVE REPEATEDLY TRIED TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED. I BELIEVE THIS DEFECT TO IMPOSE A DANGER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712574

64,262 miles · Feb 12, 2015
EnginePower TrainTires

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

NHTSA ODI #10683090

70,000 miles · Jan 13, 2015
Power TrainCrash

VEHICLE EXHIBITS SUDDEN ACCELERATION. APPROX 25% TO 35% OF THE TIME VEHICLE WILL LURCH FORWARD WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. VEHICLE BEHAVES AS IF THE ACCELERATOR IF PRESSED DOWN ALL THE WAY, EVEN THOUGH IT IS BARELY ENGAGED. SOMETIMES THE ACCELERATION IS SO STRONG THAT THE TIRES WILL BREAK LOOSE. SUDDEN ACCELERATION STARTS AT …

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VEHICLE EXHIBITS SUDDEN ACCELERATION. APPROX 25% TO 35% OF THE TIME VEHICLE WILL LURCH FORWARD WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. VEHICLE BEHAVES AS IF THE ACCELERATOR IF PRESSED DOWN ALL THE WAY, EVEN THOUGH IT IS BARELY ENGAGED. SOMETIMES THE ACCELERATION IS SO STRONG THAT THE TIRES WILL BREAK LOOSE. SUDDEN ACCELERATION STARTS AT ABOUT 2MPH AND STOPS BY 10MPH. APPROX 5% TO 10% OF THE TIME WILL HAPPEN IN REVERSE AS WELL. ON APPROX. NOV 1, 2014 THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSED AN CRASH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING PARKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10672213

Official recalls

4

19V782000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.