RecallPlainVehicle recalls, explained in plain English

2012 Mazda Cx-7 recalls & complaints

3 recalls tell owners to stop driving. Do not buy or drive until fixed.
4recalls
4high risk
3stop-driving
39complaints

Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.

4 safety recalls, most serious first

Stop driving Campaign 18V717000 · announced 12/10/2018 (7 years ago)

1. Airbags

What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. 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 Distric…

What could happen: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: 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.

What to do

  1. Do not drive this vehicle until the recall repair is done. The manufacturer has told owners to park it.
  2. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2012 CX-7.
  3. Book a repair at any authorized Mazda dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V717000 (manufacturer code 1317F).
  4. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
  5. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-222-5500.
  6. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
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.
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.

Stop driving Campaign 19V782000 · announced 31/10/2019 (5 years ago)

2. Airbags

What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. 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.

What could happen: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: 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…

What to do

  1. Do not drive this vehicle until the recall repair is done. The manufacturer has told owners to park it.
  2. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2012 CX-7.
  3. Book a repair at any authorized Mazda dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V782000 (manufacturer code 1317F).
  4. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
  5. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-222-5500.
  6. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
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.
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.

Stop driving Campaign 17V457000 · announced 18/07/2017 (8 years ago)

3. Airbags

What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. 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 Virgini…

What could happen: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: 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…

What to do

  1. Do not drive this vehicle until the recall repair is done. The manufacturer has told owners to park it.
  2. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2012 CX-7.
  3. Book a repair at any authorized Mazda dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 17V457000 (manufacturer code 1317F).
  4. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
  5. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-222-5500.
  6. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
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 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.

High risk Campaign 16V593000 · announced 11/08/2016 (9 years ago)

4. Suspension

What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. 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.

What could happen: A loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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, Mich…

What to do

  1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2012 CX-7.
  2. Book a repair at any authorized Mazda dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V593000 (manufacturer code 9716H).
  3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
  4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-222-5500.
  5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA

Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
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.
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.
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.

Useful for owners

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Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

39complaints
4crashes
0fires
2injuries
0deaths

Most complained-about parts: Suspension (14), Airbags (12), Lights (7), Electrical system (5), Unknown Or Other (3).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.

Read recent complaints (8)

10/01/2023 · Lights
No matter the bulbs I use, the headlights are always dim. This is incredibly unsafe for night driving.

01/10/2023 · Body / structure
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.

11/29/2021 · Lights
The headlights are too dim for safe night driving. Bulbs also fail yearly. This is a common problem reported with 2012 MAZDA CX7

03/31/2021 · Electrical system
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 LIGHTS, NO BUZZ, NO NOTHING AS SOON AS IT WAS PUT INTO REVERSE. THE CAR HAS A NEW BATTERY, NEW COILS, NEW SPARK PLUGS AND CONTINUES TO MISFIRE.…

11/01/2020 · Lights
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 PROBLEM. LIGHTS ARE NOT CHEAP AND VERY FRUSTRATING WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THIS HAPPENS.

09/02/2020 · Electrical system
OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO GET INTO VEHICLE THIS MORNING ALL WAS FINE. WHEN I GOT TO WORK AND TRIED TO OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR, IT WOULD NOT OPEN. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR BY CLIMBING OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE AND OPENING THE SIDE DOOR. I CHECKED THE OTHER DOORS (AND TRUNK) AND THEY ALL OPENED. I CHECKED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE THEN AN…

02/03/2020 · Airbags
AIRBAG SENSOR STAYS ON

12/08/2019 · Electrical system
THE DIM LIGHTS ARE SO DANGEROUS AND DO NOT PROVIDE ANY VISIBILITY AT NIGHT AT ALL. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND I HAVE HAD SO MANY NEAR MISSES WHILE PASSING OTHER VEHICLES OR TRYING TO NOT RUN OFF THE ROAD DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE. PLUS THE BULBS BURN OUT SEVERAL TIMES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND I'M CONSTANTLY HAVING TO REPLACE THEM. BUT TO DRIVE A…

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