2009 Mazda CX-7 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
33/100
#5 most-complained of 7 CX-7 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2009 Mazda CX-7 has a complaint index of 33, ranking 5th worst out of 7 model years, with 64 complaints and 5 recalls. Its verdict is Caution, capped from a lower complaint index because of four Do Not Drive airbag recalls affecting this year.
- Complaints
- 64
- Recalls
- 5
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16.5 city / 22.5 hwy
Top 2009 Mazda CX-7 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine20 (31%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires20 (31%)
- Airbags16 (25%)
- Electrical System6 (9%)
- Other5 (8%)
- Steering5 (8%)
- Fuel System3 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (5%)
- Brakes2 (3%)
- Structure & Body2 (3%)
What owners report
- Some owners describe sudden loss of power steering assist accompanied by smoke from the hood, linked to a failed a/c compressor and broken serpentine belt.
- Owners report engine stalling or loss of power at highway speed, in some cases tied to thickened oil or turbo issues.
- Several owners describe the transmission failing to shift or shifting abruptly within the first weeks of ownership.
- Electrical complaints include the radio and gauge cluster blanking out while traction control and stability control warning lights flickered.
- Owners report condensation building up inside the headlight housings, with Mazda declining to address it as a defect.
- Persistent brake squeaking from the rear wheels was reported even after dealers replaced rotors and pads.
2009 Mazda CX-7 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V782000Oct 31, 2019Airbags69,879 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 18V018000Jan 9, 2018Airbags70,227 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2013 Mazda6 and 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 2010 Mazda6, CX-7 and CX-9 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 covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 Mazda6, CX-7, and 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.
Risk: 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 March 2, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.
- NHTSA 17V457000Jul 18, 2017Airbags79,402 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
Risk: 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.
2009 Mazda CX-7 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16.5 MPG
- Highway
- 22.5 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,225
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other CX-7 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Mazda CX-7 reliable?
- Compared with other CX-7 years, the 2009 model has a Caution verdict. Its complaint index of 33 is lower than the 2007 and 2008 model years but the verdict is capped because of four Do Not Drive airbag recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Mazda CX-7?
- NHTSA lists Engine and Suspension, Wheels & Tires as the top problem areas, each accounting for 31% of complaints (20 complaints apiece), followed by Airbags at 25% (16 complaints).
- Does the 2009 Mazda CX-7 have a recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2009 CX-7, and 4 of them are Do Not Drive recalls, all related to the passenger frontal airbag inflator.
- How does the 2009 CX-7 compare to other model years?
- The 2009 CX-7 ranks 5th worst out of 7 years by complaint index (33), well below the 2007 model (complaint index 100, Avoid verdict) and the 2008 model (complaint index 83, Avoid verdict).
- At what mileage do 2009 CX-7 problems typically show up?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 65,000 miles overall, with engine complaints centered around 72,960 miles and suspension complaints around 116,000 miles.