Reliable Auto DB

2012 Mazda CX-7 reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2012 Mazda CX-7 has 39 complaints with NHTSA after 15 years, or 1 per year. It is the only CX-7 year on this site. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Inflator and Front lower ball joint.

2012 Mazda CX-7
Photo by TTTNIS, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC0
Complaints

39

Per year

1

Recalls

4

Years on the road

15

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Suspension (14 of 39), then Air bags (12) and Exterior lighting (7). The most filings arrived in 2017 (19 of 39). Those filings include 4 that report a crash and 2 that report an injury.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Mazda CX-7. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (4)

Recall air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator 2019-10-31 · NHTSA campaign 19V782000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator 2018-10-12 · NHTSA campaign 18V717000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator 2017-07-18 · NHTSA campaign 17V457000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall Front lower ball joint 2016-08-11 · NHTSA campaign 16V593000
Summary 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.
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.

Complaints by component (39 total)

Suspension
14
Air bags
12
Exterior lighting
7
Electrical system
5
Speed control
3
Steering
3
Fuel and propulsion system
2
Structure
2
Visibility and wipers
2
Wheels
2
Engine
1
Powertrain
1
Seats
1
Service brakes
1
Show 6 more Show less
Crash-flagged

4

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

2

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

1201212013320161920176201822019320202202122023
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "No matter the bulbs I use, the headlights are always dim. This is incredibly unsafe for night driving."
    Exterior lighting · filed 2023-10-01
  • "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."
    Structure, Wheels, Service brakes · filed 2023-01-10
  • "The headlights are too dim for safe night driving. Bulbs also fail yearly. This is a common problem reported with 2012 MAZDA CX7"
    Exterior lighting · filed 2021-11-29
  • "THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, WOULD STALL OUT AND TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT MOVE UP OR DOWN. THE CAR WOULD START WITH JUMPER CABLES, IDLE FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN GO COMPLETELY DEAD, NO…"
    Electrical system, Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2021-03-31
  • "NO ACCIDENTS HAS HAPPENED, BUT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS KEEP BLOWING OUT. I HAVE TO HAVE THEM REPLACED EVERY 3-6 MONTHS. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PROBLEM. UPON DOING SEARCH ON INTERNET, I NOTICE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS…"
    Exterior lighting · filed 2020-11-01

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2012 Mazda CX-7 SUV AWD Not rated Not rated Not rated 4 stars
2012 Mazda CX-7 SUV FWD Not rated Not rated Not rated 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
CX-7 two-wheel drive 2.3L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 18 24 20 MPG $4000
CX-7 two-wheel drive 2.5L, 4-cyl Automatic (5-speed) Front-wheel drive 20 27 22 MPG $2950
CX-7 four-wheel drive 2.3L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Four-wheel drive 17 21 19 MPG $4200

Specs and fitment

ER generation (final year), 2012–2012
Body styles SUV
Oil 5W-30 (All TEMPS per listed capacity guide) , 6 qt capacity
Tire size 215/70R17, 235/60R18, 235/55R19

Known issues for this generation

Recall 17V-457 covers certain 2012 CX-7 vehicles (also CX-9 and Mazda6) sold or registered in specified humid southern states: the passenger frontal air-bag inflator can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin; dealers replace the inflator. Recall 19V-782 covers certain 2007-2012 CX-7 that previously received a replacement inflator under an earlier campaign and need another replacement; Mazda advised owners not to drive until repaired.

Compare

See every Mazda CX-7 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Mazda CX-7 reliable?

The 2012 Mazda CX-7 has 39 complaints with NHTSA after 15 years, or 1 per year. It is the only CX-7 year on this site. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Inflator and Front lower ball joint.

What are common problems with a 2012 Mazda CX-7?

The complaints owners file most often name Suspension (14 of 39), then Air bags (12) and Exterior lighting (7). The most filings arrived in 2017 (19 of 39). Those filings include 4 that report a crash and 2 that report an injury.

Has the 2012 Mazda CX-7 been recalled?

The 2012 Mazda CX-7 has 4 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Mazda CX-7?

Owners have filed 39 complaints about the 2012 Mazda CX-7 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Mazda CX-7 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Mazda CX-7 is 20.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a US Mazda CX-7 use?

5W-30 (All TEMPS per listed capacity guide) With filter, about 6 qt is commonly listed for this generation—confirm in the owner manual.

What tire sizes fit a US Mazda CX-7?

Published US specs commonly list front 215/70R17, 235/60R18, 235/55R19 and rear 215/70R17, 235/60R18, 235/55R19; confirm on the door jamb placard for your trim.

What NHTSA recalls affect the US Mazda CX-7?

Recall 17V-457 covers certain 2012 CX-7 vehicles (also CX-9 and Mazda6) sold or registered in specified humid southern states: the passenger frontal air-bag inflator can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin; dealers replace the inflator. Recall 19V-782 covers certain 2007-2012 CX-7 that previously received a replacement inflator under an earlier campaign and need another replacement; Mazda advised owners not to drive until repaired.