2009 Mazda CX-7 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 5, 2026 · 65 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other CX-7 years
Far fewer complaints than other years 5th of 7 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 65 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Mazda CX-7. That ranks 5th out of 7 CX-7 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is suspension (20 complaints, 31%), typically at around 99,000 miles. Complaints mention 1 fire. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year.

Mazda CX-7
2006–2009 Mazda CX-7 (ER) Classic wagon. Photographed in Cronulla, New South Wales , Australia.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: OSX, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2009 Mazda CX-7 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Suspension20 · ~99,000 mi
Air Bags17 · ~90,538 mi
Engine12 · ~80,310 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling8 · ~65,000 mi
Steering5 · ~120,000 mi
Exterior Lighting4 · ~44,000 mi
Unknown or Other4 · ~116,000 mi
Power Train3 · ~57,007 mi
Electrical System2 · ~53,150 mi
Equipment2 · ~27,500 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Suspension2031%99,000——
Air Bags1726%90,538——
Engine1218%80,310——
Engine and Engine Cooling812%65,000——
Steering58%120,000——
Exterior Lighting46%44,000——
Unknown or Other46%116,000——
Power Train35%57,007——
Electrical System23%53,150——
Equipment23%27,500——
Fuel/propulsion System23%469,601——
Forward Collision Avoidance12%———
Fuel System, Gasoline12%60,000——
Seats12%40,000——
Service Brakes12%———
Service Brakes, Hydraulic12%300——
Structure12%44,000——
Visibility/wiper12%98,800——
Wheels12%116,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2017, with 20 complaints
2008: 1200812009: 222010: 4201042011: 332012: 8201282013: 442014: 1201412015: 552016: 8201682017: 20202018: 3201832019: 332020: 1202012024: 112026: 120261

n = 65 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2009 Mazda CX-7 recalls (5)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveOct 31, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V782000 · 69,879 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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. 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.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveJan 9, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V018000 · 70,227 vehicles

Problem: 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. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2010 Mazda6, CX-7 and CX-9 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 covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 Mazda6, CX-7, and 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.

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 March 2, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveJul 18, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V457000 · 79,402 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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. 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.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveJun 29, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V429000 · 205,377 vehicles

Problem: 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. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, 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.

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, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 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 16V356 and all vehicles that were not remedied under that campaign are now covered by this one.

Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball jointAug 11, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V593000 · 190,102 vehicles

Problem: 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 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.

Risk: A loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.

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, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia. West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The remaining vehicles will be addressed as parts are available. The recall began September 20, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9716H.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Air bag sensor light won't go off, corrosion around the subframe engine light won't go off AC

Air Bags · received Oct 5, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11769109

I purchased a car from Best Buy Motors in Spanaway, WA on [XXX]. Three days later I took the car in for an oil change and my mechanic cited safety issues and identified the rear brakes were faulty and deemed them a safety hazard. I repaired the brakes because I did not want to continue driving them…

Service Brakes · received Dec 20, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11631870

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…

Electrical System · received Jan 17, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11300056

In the last 2 weeks, when the vehicle is started, the airbag light by the speedometer flashes twice, stops, flashes twice, then stops. This continues for about 20-30 seconds after the car is started and is running/idling. Once the 20-30 seconds have passed, the airbag light then remains permanently…

Air Bags · received Dec 24, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11291086

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…

Engine · received Oct 7, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11266866

Other Mazda CX-7 years

← 2008 CX-7 · 2010 CX-7 →

YearComplaintsRecalls
2013 CX-710
2012 CX-7394
2011 CX-71534
2010 CX-71555
2009655
2008 CX-71914
2007 CX-75284

See all Mazda CX-7 problems by year, every Mazda model, or the Mazda VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Mazda CX-7?

Owners most often report suspension, air bags, engine problems. The top one, suspension, accounts for 20 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2009 Mazda CX-7?

Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2009 Mazda CX-7 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other CX-7 model years, the 2009 has far fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.