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ProblemsByVin File / 2011-MAZDA-CX-7 NHTSA data synced 5 days ago
2011 · Mazda

Mazda CX-7 problems

1 critical safety recall on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 152 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.0 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

1
Critical
0
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2011 CX-7?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

suspension
45 reports · fails ~60,922 mi · avg $900
moderate
lighting
33 reports · fails ~57,853 mi · avg $250
moderate
airbags
25 reports · fails ~86,854 mi · avg $1,100
severe
steering
16 reports · fails ~86,714 mi · avg $700
severe
powertrain
7 reports · fails ~62,066 mi · avg $2,500
severe
electrical
5 reports · fails ~70,000 mi · avg $850
moderate
brakes
3 reports · fails ~25,482 mi · avg $450
moderate
cruise control
3 reports · fails ~53,968 mi · avg $600
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2011 CX-7's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2011 CX-7?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2011 CX-7 · lighting
The headlight bulbs burn out multiple times a year and on top of that, the lens have fogged up to the point that I was forced to replace the headlamps. The car was not drivable during dusk, night and dawn hours. The fog seems to be from the inside, since no amount of exterior…
12/28/2019 · at 109,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11291802.0 · see lighting pattern →
2011 CX-7 · suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Mazda cx-7. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v593000 (suspension) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…
12/28/2016 · NHTSA ODI #10937822.0 · see suspension pattern →
2011 CX-7 · powertrain
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Mazda cx-7. The contact stated when he turned the vehicle on and shift into drive gear all five doors fail to lock unless he manually locked them. The failure was not diagnosed by a dealer or local mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
12/26/2013 · at 4,200 mi · NHTSA ODI #10557282.0 · see powertrain pattern →
2011 CX-7 · lighting
I purchased the vehicle used in may of 2013 I only had the vehicle 2 days and had to replace the drivers head light. On december 17th the drivers headlight went out again and on the 19th of december the passenger headlight has gone out. *tr
12/22/2014 · at 49,646 mi · NHTSA ODI #10667700.0 · see lighting pattern →
View all 152 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2011 Mazda CX-7? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

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Active recalls showing 1 of 1

critical NHTSA 17V429000 June 29, 2017

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Mazda6, and 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles

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

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2011 Mazda CX-7 reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 152 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Mazda CX-7 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2011 Mazda CX-7?

The 2011 Mazda CX-7 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2011 Mazda CX-7?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is suspension, with 45 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 60,922 miles. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The suspension is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 60,922 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Mazda CX-7 has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 Mazda CX-7?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 152 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $900, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Other model years
2012 CX-72010 CX-72009 CX-72008 CX-72007 CX-7
Compare against
vs. 2011 ford Edge vs. 2011 kia Sorento vs. 2011 ford Explorer vs. 2011 dodge Durango
Problem categories across the fleet
suspension across all vehicles lighting across all vehicles airbags across all vehicles steering across all vehicles powertrain across all vehicles electrical across all vehicles brakes across all vehicles cruise control across all vehicles
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 5 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Mazda/CX-7. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Mazda. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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