Most common 2012 Mazda CX-7 problems
Share of the 39 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mazda CX-7 complaints by model year
Best CX-7 years: 2012, 2009. Years to avoid: 2007. Compare all years →
2012 Mazda CX-7 recalls (4)
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
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 2012 Mazda CX-7 owners say
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Mazda CX-7. While driving various speeds, the vehicle made a loud clunking noise. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced at (moffitt Mazda in bossier city, louisiana) per NHTSA campaign number: 16V593000 (suspension) and the failure recurred directly after the repair. The dealer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle had already been repaired; therefore, the contact would have to pay a diagnostic fee. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Mazda CX-7. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, it accelerated without the contact depressing the accelerator pedal. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. In addition, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V012000 (air bags) and 16V593000 (suspension) however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Air bags
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Mazda CX-7. While driving approximately 30 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the driver side of the contact's vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into a utility pole. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained severe neck and back pains that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a salvage facility. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Mazda CX-7. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, it accelerated without the contact depressing the accelerator pedal. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. In addition, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V012000 (air bags) and 16V593000 (suspension) however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Lights
Headlights blow numerous times in a year. When 'operational''the headlights are very dim at night. I researched and this seems to be a reoccurring issue on many Mazda vehicles. I have tried to reach out to Mazda, with no response. This is very dangerous and my turn signals are brighter than my lights. Everyone on the forum suggests the projector lenses that come equipped are faulty. I spent $400 on aftermarket headlights (full housing) to try and rectify this problem or make it better to be able to see at night, since I have heard nothing from Mazda and they seem not willing to look inside the issue with many of their vehicles.this has been a repccuing issue since purchase in 2012.
No accidents has happened, but the low beam headlights keep blowing out. I have to have them replaced every 3-6 months. Obviously there is a problem. Upon doing search on internet, I notice several complaints on this problem. Lights are not cheap and very frustrating when you are driving at night and this happens.
2012 Mazda CX-7 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 27 / 22 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 24 / 20 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 17 / 21 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Mazda CX-7 a good car?
Based on 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 CX-7 rates better than average: 73% 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 2012 Mazda CX-7?
The suspension — 14 complaints, 36% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the air bags (12) and lights (7).
How many recalls does the 2012 Mazda CX-7 have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2012 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 2012 Mazda CX-7 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 87,000 miles; 25% 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.