2012 Mazda CX-7 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
33/100
#3 most-complained of 4 CX-7 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2012 Mazda CX-7 has a Complaint Index of 33 and ranks 3rd worst of 4 model years, earning a 'Good' verdict relative to other CX-7 years. It has 39 complaints and 4 recalls, including 3 do-not-drive airbag recalls.
- Complaints
- 39
- Recalls
- 4
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 18 city / 24 hwy
Top 2012 Mazda CX-7 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires15 (38%)
- Airbags12 (31%)
- Electrical System10 (26%)
- Engine4 (10%)
- Other3 (8%)
- Steering3 (8%)
- Structure & Body3 (8%)
- Fuel System2 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (5%)
- Brakes1 (3%)
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy during a side-impact crash at low speed, with the vehicle later crashing into a utility pole.
- The vehicle veered and crashed into a wall while the driver adjusted heat controls, with owners citing suspension damage after the airbags deployed.
- Owners report unintended forward surges when shifting into drive with a foot on the brake, sometimes hitting fixed objects.
- Instrument panel gauges are recessed and hard to read in daylight, and headlights are described as poorly lit at night.
- Door latch screws worked loose or fell out on multiple doors, causing wind noise and doors that would not close tightly.
- Owners describe long delays getting the suspension ball joint recall repaired due to unavailable parts, with dealers unable to give a timeline.
2012 Mazda CX-7 recalls
4 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 18V717000Oct 12, 2018Airbags155,436 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
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 November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. 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.
2012 Mazda CX-7 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,000
- 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.
2012 compared with other CX-7 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Mazda CX-7 reliable?
- Among the 4 CX-7 model years with data, 2012 has the lowest Complaint Index at 33 and ranks 3rd worst, earning a 'Good' verdict relative to other CX-7 years. It has 39 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls.
- What problems does the 2012 Mazda CX-7 have?
- The top problem area is Suspension, Wheels & Tires, making up 38% of complaints (15 of 39), followed by Airbags at 31% and Electrical System at 26%. Median mileage at failure across all complaints is 76,000.
- Does the 2012 Mazda CX-7 have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2012 CX-7, including 3 do-not-drive airbag inflator recalls and one suspension recall for front lower control arm ball joints that can corrode from water intrusion.
- How does the 2012 CX-7 compare to other CX-7 years?
- The 2012 CX-7 has a Complaint Index of 33, far below the 2011 model's index of 100 (rated 'Avoid') and the 2010 model's index of 67 (rated 'Caution'). The 2013 model has almost no complaint data.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Mazda CX-7?
- EPA rates the 2012 CX-7 at 20 mpg combined (18 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,000.