2009 Mazda CX-7 Problems & Complaints

Better than average59% fewer complaints than a typical year of the CX-7 at the same age

Owners have filed 65 complaints about the 2009 Mazda CX-7 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 59% fewer than a typical CX-7 model year at the same age, making the 2009 one of the better CX-7 years. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (20 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles). 5 recalls cover this model year, including 4 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning.

65complaints
5recalls
0crashes
1fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2009 Mazda CX-7 problems

  • Engine & cooling~68,000 miles
    2031%
  • Suspension~120,000 miles
    2031%
  • Air bags~100,000 miles
    1726%
  • Steering~120,000 miles
    58%
  • Lights~44,000 miles
    46%
  • Other / not specified~116,000 miles
    46%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~57,000 miles
    35%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~100,000 miles
    35%
  • Brakes~0 miles
    23%
  • Electrical system~99,000 miles
    23%
  • A/C & heater~40,000 miles
    23%
  • Seats~40,000 miles
    12%
  • Body & structure~44,000 miles
    12%
  • Wheels & tires~116,000 miles
    12%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~99,000 miles
    12%
  • Driver assistance
    12%

Share of the 65 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Mazda CX-7 complaints by model year

2007200820092010201120125281926515515439
Owner complaints per model year, Mazda CX-7. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best CX-7 years: 2012, 2009. Years to avoid: 2007. Compare all years →

2009 Mazda CX-7 recalls (5)

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-782 · Oct 31, 2019 · 69,879 vehiclesDo 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.

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.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 18V-018 · Jan 9, 2018 · 70,227 vehiclesDo not drive

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.

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.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 17V-457 · Jul 18, 2017 · 79,402 vehiclesDo not drive

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.

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.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 17V-429 · Jun 29, 2017 · 205,377 vehiclesDo 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 equipment or replacement equipment.

Remedy: 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.

Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint

NHTSA recall 16V-593 · Aug 11, 2016 · 190,102 vehicles

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.

Remedy: 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 vehicles currently…

What 2009 Mazda CX-7 owners say

Engine & cooling all 20 →

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Mazda CX-7. The contact stated that the front driver side window and both rear windows failed to operate as intended going up and down. The tire pressure monitor light illuminated and remained despite having the tires checked for proper tire pressure and following the instructions provided to reset the tire pressure light. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The check engine warning light was reset by an independent mechanic. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH the vehicle decelerated to 20 MPH and stalled. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic and was informed that the mass airflow sensor and oxygen sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 98,800.

99,000 miles · Dec 2019

The Mazda has multiple issues with turbo booster functioning and malfunctioning causing air pollution issues with billowing white smoke fr tailpipe, Mazda does not warranty this by ongoing issues with some repairs having to be done as early as 60000 miles,. My car is less than 100000 miles with extensive repair required to resolve issue, repairs as expensive as 3000 dollars. The smoke is so thick is impairs the vision of cars that maybe behind vehicles with this problem. This issue needs to be reviewed and resolved, car owners should be made aware when purchasing these Mazda of this heavily unreliable important part of the vehicle to make the decision beforehand if they will be responsible for these expensive repairs should they occur.

91,000 miles · Aug 2019

Suspension all 20 →

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Mazda CX-7. While driving at least 35 MPH, a loud noise was heard coming from the steering column and the vehicle drove roughly. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to lee partyka Chevrolet Mazda Isuzu (200 skiff st, hamden, ct 06518 [phone]) for diagnostic testing, but was informed that the issue was not related to the recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V593000 (suspension); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact was informed by the dealer to wait for a second notice when the recall remedy parts become available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that recall remedy parts were not available. …

120,000 miles · Feb 2017

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Mazda CX-7. The contact stated that the vehicle lacked stability when being operated at high speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower control arms and ball joints were defective and needed to be replaced. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V429000 (air bags) and 16V593000 (suspension). The contact was unable to get the remedy completed due to lack of communication by the dealer (dennis dillon Mazda, 9501 w fairview ave, boise, id). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The failure mileage was 157,142. Parts distribution disconnect.

157,000 miles · Oct 2017

Air bags

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Mazda CX-7. The contact stated that the vehicle lacked stability when being operated at high speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower control arms and ball joints were defective and needed to be replaced. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V429000 (air bags) and 16V593000 (suspension). The contact was unable to get the remedy completed due to lack of communication by the dealer (dennis dillon Mazda, 9501 w fairview ave, boise, id). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The failure mileage was 157,142. Parts distribution disconnect.

157,000 miles · Oct 2017

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Mazda CX-7. The contact stated that the air bag sensor made a beeping noise while driving. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V356000 (air bags) and 16V593000 (suspension). The parts needed for the repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

80,000 miles · Jul 2016

2009 Mazda CX-7 engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.3L 4-cyl turbo6-speed automaticFWD17 / 23 / 20
2.3L 4-cyl turbo6-speed automatic4WD/AWD16 / 22 / 18

EPA ratings. Class: SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Mazda CX-7 a good car?

Based on 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 CX-7 rates better than average: 59% fewer complaints than a typical year of the CX-7 at the same age. It is one of the best CX-7 years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2009 Mazda CX-7?

The engine & cooling — 20 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year, most often about cooling system. Next are the suspension (20) and air bags (17).

How many recalls does the 2009 Mazda CX-7 have?

There are 5 recalls for the 2009 Mazda CX-7, the most recent from October 31, 2019 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Mazda CX-7?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2007. See the full Mazda CX-7 years comparison.

At what mileage do 2009 Mazda CX-7 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 65,000 miles; 38% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.