Problems · NHTSA complaints

2011 Mazda CX-7 problems

Owners filed 154 complaints about the 2011 Mazda CX-7 with NHTSA between May 2011 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is suspension (51).

Complaints
154
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Suspension51
  2. Air bags42
  3. Exterior lighting38
  4. Steering16
  5. Power train8
  6. Electrical system7
  7. Engine5
  8. Service brakes5
  9. Visibility/wiper4
  10. Structure3
  11. Wheels3
  12. Vehicle speed control3
  13. Fuel/propulsion system2
  14. Latches/locks/linkages2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20113
20121
20135
20144
201510
201628
201756
201820
20198
20202
20213
20221
20232
20245
20252
20264

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Suspension

51 reports1 crash1 related recall
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 18, 2026Suspension, Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11738584

Air bags

42 reports2 crashes3 related recalls
“My mechanic told me to check with Mazda as there might be a recall that has not been taken care of yet. I called Mazda and they told me there were 3 recalls (2 of which my mechanic already fixed) and the airbag recall. Told me not to drive, but would not provide any vehicle to use and would not set an appointment until December 8th, 2025.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 27, 2025Air bagsODI 11701786

Exterior lighting

38 reports1 crash
“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 they had a vehicle there now with the same problem and have not figured out the problem yet. Wiring harness has been replaced to the low beam, the connectors and bulbs replaced fuzes and nothing seems to fix it, the battery keeps needing to be replaced as well, alternator has been replaced. This is a safety issue due to the fact that the low beams are so dim the driver can't see to drive without using high beam headlights to drive and they are just like having regular low beams on.. I've used halogen as well as led trying to fix it nothing has worked”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 3, 2026Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11754388

Steering

16 reports3 crashes
“DRIVE SIDE FRONT TIRE CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH. BALL JOINT SEPARATED. CAR SLIDE HIT CUB AND TIRE ON PASSENGER SIDE WAS HIT AND BLEW OUT. THERE IS RECALL ON BALL JOINT. I DID NOT GET NOTICE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 13, 2019Steering, WheelsCrash reportedODI 11255321

Power train

8 reports2 crashes
“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 illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the failure self-corrected once the vehicle dried. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the PCM C31 connector failed due to moisture and corrosion, requiring service or replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under extended warranty coverage. The failure mileage was 120,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2026Power trainODI 11771354

Electrical system

7 reports
“MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. I HAVE TO PUT IN NEW HEAD LIGHT BULBS EVERY FEW MONTHS. I HAVE CHANGED THE HEAD LIGHT BULB ON BOTH SIDES FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR. CURRENTLY MY RIGHT HEAD LIGHT IS OUT AGAIN. I PURCHASED ANOTHER BULB AND HAVE TO PAY FOR A MECHANIC TO FIX MY HEAD LIGHT THIS WEEK.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 17, 2019Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11180674
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.