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Mazda

2010 Mazda CX-7

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2010 Mazda CX-7 has 215 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 202. The most common issue is suspension problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: incomplete recall for lower control arms. my vehicle is making popping noises when going in drive and in reverse. every once in a while will make creaking noises while driving down the road. all noises associated with the ball joints and control arms. the dealership took over a hour to come back and. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 4 crash reports

215

Total Complaints

5

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

1.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

SUSPENSION

52 complaints
24%
  • INCOMPLETE RECALL FOR LOWER CONTROL ARMS. MY VEHICLE IS MAKING POPPING NOISES WHEN GOING IN DRIVE AND IN REVERSE. EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE WILL MAKE CREAKING NOISES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. ALL NOISES ASSOCIATED WITH THE BALL JOINTS AND CONTROL ARMS. THE DEALERSHIP TOOK OVER A HOUR TO COME BACK AND
  • MAZDA IS REFUSING TO FIX THE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE SAYING THAT IT'S NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THE LAST TIME I CHECKED THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS SEPARATING FROM THE BALL JOINTS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY CAN'T GET THE PART OR DON'T WANT TO THEY TOLD ME THE FIRST TIME IT WAS THE BRAK
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA CX-7. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE WITH THE VEHI
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

INCOMPLETE RECALL FOR LOWER CONTROL ARMS. MY VEHICLE IS MAKING POPPING NOISES WHEN GOING IN DRIVE AND IN REVERSE. EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE WILL MAKE CREAKING NOISES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. ALL NOISES ASSOCIATED WITH THE BALL JOINTS AND CONTROL ARMS. THE DEALERSHIP TOOK OVER A HOUR TO COME BACK AND

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2010 Mazda CX-7

Based on 101 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 63K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
13
30-60K
36
60-100K
36
100-150K
14
150-200K
2
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

Reported earliermedian 55K mi · 7 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
2
60-100K
2
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 51K mi · 20 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
8
60-100K
5
100-150K
2
150-200K
1
200K+
0

LIGHTING

In line with typicalmedian 83K mi · 9 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
3
60-100K
2
100-150K
2
150-200K
1
200K+
0

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 53K mi · 7 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
3
60-100K
2
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 52K mi · 6 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
2
60-100K
2
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 55K mi · 6 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
4
60-100K
1
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (5)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE12/10/2018

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda 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 2011-2013 Mazda6, 2011-2012 CX-7, and 2011-2015 CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Mazda6, 2010-2012 CX-7, and 2010-2015 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 November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2010 Mazda CX-7

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,182
Per month
$182
Per mile
18.2¢
MPG
22
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,667/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,715/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Mazda CX-7

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,494
Full coverage / month
$125
Liability only / year
$639
vs US avg
-11%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.85x
= Full coverage estimate$1494

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mazda CX-7 Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
24 months
Transmission fluid
60K mi
Engine coolant
120K mi
Spark plugs
60K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
60K mi

SkyActiv-G naturally aspirated engines. AWD models need transfer case and rear differential service every 60K.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Mazda New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Mazda. If you're buying a used 2010 CX-7, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mazda dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)
$500
AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
LIGHTING(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 215 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • SUSPENSION: INCOMPLETE RECALL FOR LOWER CONTROL ARMS. MY VEHICLE IS MAKING POPPING NOISES WHEN GOING IN DRIVE AND IN REVERSE. EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE WILL MAKE CREAKING NOISES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. ALL NOISES ASSOCIATED WITH THE BALL JOINTS AND CONTROL ARMS. THE DEALERSHIP TOOK OVER A HOUR TO COME BACK AND

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • AIR BAGS: 2010 MAZDA CX-7 WAITING ON THE GREEN LIGHT WAS HIT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE WITHOUT SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYING. I HAVE PHOTOS IF THIS WOULD HELP. POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS WERE CONFUSED AS TO WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FROM FRONT PILLAR TO REAR DOOR WAS IMPACTED. THE FRON

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • LIGHTING: I PURCHASED THE 2010 MAZDA CX7 VEHICLE ABOUT NINE MONTHS AGO. I FREQUENTLY DO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE UNDER MANY CONDITIONS. THE DASH LIGHTS ARE INADEQUATE AND MAKE IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW HOW FAST YOU ARE TRAVELING DAY OR NIGHT. I AM AFRAID I WILL BE TICKETED FOR T

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ENGINE: I WAS DRIVING MY MAZDA WHEN IT STARTED MAKING THIS ODD WINDING SOUND. AT FIRST IT WAS NOT TOO LOUD BUT WHEN I TRIED TO SPEED UP TO GET ON THE INTERSTATE, THE SOUND GOT EXTREMELY LOUD. I BROUGHT IT BACK HOME BUT BARELY MADE IT UP THE HILL TO OUR STREET. I HAD THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR BUT IT HAD NO

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Mazda dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Mazda CX-7 — Year Comparison

How does 2010 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
215
Recalls
5
Fire reports
4
Crash reports
4
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
202

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2010 Mazda CX-7