2011 Mazda CX-7 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

204 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2011 Mazda CX-7, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 24/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Suspension leads the reports, typically around 48,000 miles.

204Complaints
24/100Trouble index
4Recalls
53,000Typical trouble mileage

Typical

Where 2011 sits among all CX-7 years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Suspension 51 complaints (25%) · typically ~48,000 miles
“Aug 10,2016 manufacturer recall number9716h nhtsa recall number16v-593 recall statusrecall incomplete, remedy not yet available. I received recall notice 2 years ago, but nothing since!”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 CX-7
Electrical 46 complaints (23%) · typically ~53,000 miles
“The low beam head lights are very dim, replaced bulbs several times and can not see 10 feet in-front of car. Took to dealer and they replaced a part on both low beam head lights but i still cannot see 10 feet in-front of vehicle.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 CX-7
Airbags 42 complaints (21%) · typically ~61,500 miles
“Takata recall i received notice of the recall. I called a mazda dealership to schedule the replacement of the takata airbag. I was told i had to wait until i receive a second notice.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 CX-7
Steering 16 complaints (8%)
Transmission & drivetrain 7 complaints (3%)
Other 7 complaints (3%)

Mileage when trouble shows up

Among the 79 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 53,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 22,000 and 74,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.

Recalls (4)

AIR BAGS 19V782000 2019 Do not drive

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…

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,…

AIR BAGS 18V717000 2018 Do not drive

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,…

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…

AIR BAGS 17V429000 2017 Do not drive

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Mazda6, and 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original…

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,…

SUSPENSION 16V593000 2016

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…

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…

Technical service bulletins

241 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2011 Mazda CX-7. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2011 CX-7 TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2011peak 71 in 20172026

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2011 Mazda CX-7 reliable?

The 2011 Mazda CX-7 drew 204 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 24/100, scored against the model's worst year (2007).

What are the most common 2011 Mazda CX-7 problems?

The top reported problems for the 2011 Mazda CX-7 are suspension (51 complaints), electrical (46), and airbags (42).

At what mileage do 2011 Mazda CX-7 problems show up?

Owners most often report 2011 Mazda CX-7 problems around 53,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 22,000 and 74,000 miles.

Does the 2011 Mazda CX-7 have recalls?

4 recall campaigns apply to the 2011 Mazda CX-7. At least one carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning — check your VIN before driving.

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Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.