Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

153 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
12

Most reports here involve transmission slipping. Of these, 2 mention a crash.

transmission slipping 5unintended acceleration 3sudden stalling 2
A recent report: Transmission went out at 150,232 Also car has a lot blond spots

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11481096 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
40

Most reports here involve premature wear. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

premature wear 17electrical shorts 6
A recent report: 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…
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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

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11754388 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor
4

Most reports here involve loss of braking.

loss of braking 2corrosion 1
A recent report: 2011 MAZDA CX-7. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM CORROSION AND DAMAGES. *SMD *JS THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS. *JS

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10734162 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading
47

Most reports here involve loss of steering. Of these, 3 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

loss of steering 10corrosion 4
A recent report: 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…
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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

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11738584 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
36

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 3 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 2airbags deploying unexpectedly 1
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11701786 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
6

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 2
A recent report: AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK SYSTEM LOCKED ALL DOORS AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THERE IS NO MECHANICAL OVER RIDE AND THE DRIVE WAS TRAPPED IN THE CAR. AFTER ATTEMPTING RELEASE MULTIPLE TIMES THE LOCK RELEASED AND…
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AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK SYSTEM LOCKED ALL DOORS AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THERE IS NO MECHANICAL OVER RIDE AND THE DRIVE WAS TRAPPED IN THE CAR. AFTER ATTEMPTING RELEASE MULTIPLE TIMES THE LOCK RELEASED AND THE DRIVER COULD EXIT BY CLIMBING OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE AND EXITING THE PASSENGER DOOR. WHEN OUTSIDE THE CAR AND ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK IT THE DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF. IF THIS HAD BEEN AN EMERGENCY OR A CAR FIRE THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE DIED. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED TO A MAZDA CX7 BECAUSE THERE IS A UTUBE PROCEDURE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. MAZDA NEEDS TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND FIX THE PROBLEM WITH A MECHANICAL OVER RIDE PROCEDURE. I DON'T KNOW IF THE CX5 AND CX9 HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT MY GUESS IS YES. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN STORE PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN IN AB ACCIDENT.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11139675 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
8

Most reports here involve unintended acceleration.

unintended acceleration 1
A recent report: IN MARCH 20, 2018 I HAVE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL LETTER FROM MAZDA (PO BOX 1091, ROYAL OAK, MI 48068); SAFETY RECALL 9716H, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO. 16V-593. I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, SUBURBAN…
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IN MARCH 20, 2018 I HAVE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL LETTER FROM MAZDA (PO BOX 1091, ROYAL OAK, MI 48068); SAFETY RECALL 9716H, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO. 16V-593. I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, SUBURBAN MAZDA, 37911 GRAND RIVER AVE., FARMINGTON HILLS MI 48335 (248-471-0800) WHERE THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME ABOUT NON AVAILABILITY OF THE REQUIRED PART AT THAT TIME (04-18-2018). MANAGER STATED ONCE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WILL RECEIVE THE PART THEY WILL CONTACT ME TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. AS OF TODAY (SEPT. 17, 2018) THE MAZDA, SUBURBAN IMPORTS OF FARMINGTON HILLS, SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID NOT NOTIFY ME ABOUT AVAILABILITY OF THE PART AND THE SCHEDULING OF THE REPAIR. *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11129812 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 153 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2011 and 2026, roughly 10 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.