The Lemon Index
200820101st generation
Not enough data. Only 18 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
18 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–20 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee 532009 Ford Edge2009 Nissan Murano 80
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2009 Mazda CX-7
- Turbocharger10 complaintsmostly at 57,000–62,000 miles (92,000–100,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Mazda CX-7 (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Only 16 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V782000 (airbags), 18V018000 (airbags) and 17V457000 (airbags) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do all the headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
- Mazda sent dealers 242 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “There is a rattle noise from the engine due to a stretched timing chain”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mazda's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 18 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 15K to 60K miles (24K to 97K km) on the car (16 of all 18 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Mazda cx7 2009 rear lens, light bulb melts internal red plastic, issue all 2007 to 2009 cx7. A safety issue rear stop light and driving light will not reflect the red color.
2009 Mazda CX-7 owner · NHTSA complaint 10482143
More owner reports
The air compressor went on my vehicle and needed to have it totally replaced. The air conditioning nver really worked all that well anyways with the car never getting very cool.
NHTSA complaint 10471827
Problems Mazda told dealers about
Mazda sent dealers 242 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- There is a rattle noise from the engine due to a stretched timing chain
- See document search button for owner letter
- Variable timing (vvt) noise and/or timing chain noise
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.
- Airbags · recall issued 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 6 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
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.
- Suspension · recall issued 2016
In the affected vehicles, water may enter the front suspension ball joint fittings.
- Equipment · recall issued 2009
THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,750–$4,200 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.3L 4-cyl.
Every Mazda CX-7 year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mazda-cx-7/?y=2009" title="Mazda CX-7 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mazda-cx-7/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Mazda CX-7 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Mazda CX-7 reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 18 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Mazda CX-7 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (44%), lights (17%) and equipment & accessories (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Mazda CX-7 have?
6 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Mazda CX-7 get?
18 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2009 Mazda CX-7 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 6% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Mazda CX-7 cost in fuel a year?
About $3,750 to $4,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Mazda CX-7 have?
2.3L 4-cyl.
What Mazda CX-7 year is better than the 2009?
Nearby, the 2011 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a third as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works