The Lemon Index
20111st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 11,327 in the U.S. in 2012 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 2 complaints in its first 3 years.
2 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3742012 Ford Edge 2832012 Nissan Murano 44
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V782000 (airbags), 18V717000 (airbags) and 17V457000 (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?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Mazda sent dealers 233 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “When dealing with customer complaints of excessive condensation and/or water within the…”?
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 2 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 →
In owners' words
Instruments are recessed and are difficult to see in the daylight. With the headlights on they are poorly lighted and are hard to see at night.
2012 Mazda CX-7 owner · NHTSA complaint 10454787
Problems Mazda told dealers about
Mazda sent dealers 233 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 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…
- If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery), interview the customer…
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
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 $2,750–$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. 2012 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 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mazda-cx-7/?y=2012" 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-7/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Mazda CX-7 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Mazda CX-7 reliable?
We can't score it: only 11,327 were sold in the U.S. in 2012 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2012 Mazda CX-7 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lights (50%), electrical (50%) and speed control (50%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 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 2012 Mazda CX-7 get?
19 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2012 Mazda CX-7 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 50% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Mazda CX-7 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,750 to $3,950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Mazda CX-7 have?
2.3L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Mazda CX-7 year is better than the 2012?
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