The Lemon Index
200920111st generation
Better than average · most complaints: engine
Better years to buy
22 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee 282010 Ford Edge 522010 Nissan Murano 39
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2010 Mazda CX-7
- Ball joint / control arm17 complaintsmostly at 67,000–100,000 miles (108,000–161,000 km)
- Headlights15 complaintsmostly at 30,000–97,000 miles (48,000–156,000 km)
- Turbocharger11 complaintsmostly at 38,000–65,000 miles (60,000–105,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 155 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 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 19 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V782000 (airbags), 18V717000 (airbags) and 18V018000 (airbags) done? It has 5 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 lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Mazda sent dealers 250 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 22 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 6K to 53K miles (11K to 85K km) on the car (19 of all 22 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
2010 Mazda cx7. Consumer states that the design of the instrument cluster and indicators, in black and white is very poorly designed
2010 Mazda CX-7 owner · NHTSA complaint 10334832
Problems Mazda told dealers about
Mazda sent dealers 250 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 5
- 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 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 5 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.
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 $2,600–$3,950 (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, 2.5L 4-cyl.
Every Mazda CX-7 year. 2010 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 2010 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mazda-cx-7/?y=2010" 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-7/2010/">Lemon Index</a> (2010 Mazda CX-7 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2010 Mazda CX-7 reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 69; 100 is average, lower is better). 2010 is one of the better years of a model that draws 1.6× the average car's complaints. The Mazda CX-7 year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2010 Mazda CX-7 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (27%), electrical (18%) and speed control (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 Mazda CX-7 have?
5 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 2010 Mazda CX-7 get?
19 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2010 Mazda CX-7 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2010 Mazda CX-7 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,600 to $3,950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2010 Mazda CX-7 have?
2.3L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Mazda CX-7 year is better than the 2010?
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