The Lemon Index
201020121st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: lights
Fewest complaints of its generation (1st generation).
13 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4532011 Ford Edge 2822011 Nissan Murano 22
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2011 Mazda CX-7
- Headlights30 complaintsmostly at 8,000–70,000 miles (13,000–113,000 km)
- Ball joint / control arm20 complaintsmostly at 24,000–152,000 miles (39,000–245,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 154 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 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 12 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V782000 (airbags), 18V717000 (airbags) and 17V429000 (airbags) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Mazda sent dealers 243 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Air bag module (inflator no”?
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 13 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 0K to 18K miles (1K to 29K km) on the car (12 of all 13 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.
Problems Mazda told dealers about
Mazda sent dealers 243 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Air bag module (inflator no
- When dealing with customer complaints of excessive condensation and/or water within the…
- When dealing with customer complaints of excessive condensation and/or water within the…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- 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
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.
Show all 4 recalls
- 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 test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda CX-7 SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Mazda CX-7 SUV FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
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. 2011 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 2011 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mazda-cx-7/?y=2011" 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-7/2011/">Lemon Index</a> (2011 Mazda CX-7 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2011 Mazda CX-7 reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a third as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 31; 100 is average, lower is better). 2011 is one of the better years of a model that draws 1.6× the average car's complaints.
What are the most common 2011 Mazda CX-7 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lights (31%), electrical (23%) and visibility (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Mazda CX-7 have?
4 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 2011 Mazda CX-7 get?
19 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2011 Mazda CX-7 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2011 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 2011 Mazda CX-7 have?
2.3L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
Is there a better Mazda CX-7 year than the 2011?
Not nearby: the 2011 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Mazda CX-7 years within 3 model years of it.
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