MotorDeets

2012 Mazda CX-7: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2012 Mazda CX-7: 4 recalls, 39 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.

4vehicle recalls
39owner complaints
4mention a crash
22best combined mpg
2012 Mazda CX-7
Photo: Ethan Llamas · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Suspension Vehicle recall #16V593000 · 2016 · 190,102 vehicles

What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, water May enter the front suspension ball joint fittings. If the water is contaminated with salt, such as from driving on snowy roads that have been treated, the ball joint May corrode and separate from the lower control arm, resulting in a loss of steering control.

Why it matters: A loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.

The 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 vehicles currently registered in connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland,…

Airbags Vehicle recall #17V457000 · 2017 · 79,402 vehicles

What's wrong: 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…

Why it matters: An inflator rupture May result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: 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.

Airbags Vehicle recall #18V717000 · 2018 · 155,436 vehicles

What's wrong: 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…

Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The 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.

Airbags Vehicle recall #19V782000 · 2019 · 69,879 vehicles

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019.

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Suspension14
Airbags12
Exterior lights7
Electrical5
Speed control / throttle3
Steering3
Other / unknown3
Body & structure2

What owners describe

The 2012 Mazda CX-7 has 39 owner complaints, ranking #6 of 7 CX-7 model years for complaints (well below the 162 average). Complaints peaked in 2017 (19 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 76,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (153 complaints, 4 recalls), 2013 (1 complaints, 0 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
2.5 L 4-cylAutomatic (S5)Front-Wheel Drive202722Regular
2.3 L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive182420Premium
2.3 L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel Drive172119Premium

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Mazda CX-7.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
Check 2012 Mazda CX-7 manual
Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
Check 2012 Mazda CX-7 manual
ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
Check 2012 Mazda CX-7 manual
Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2012 Mazda CX-7 manual

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FAQ

Does the 2012 Mazda CX-7 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Mazda CX-7. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2012 Mazda CX-7 problems?

Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are suspension (14), airbags (12), exterior lights (7).

What gas mileage does the 2012 Mazda CX-7 get?

EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic (S5)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 2012 Mazda CX-7 repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other CX-7 years

2007200820092010201120122013