NHTSA — Exterior Lighting Problems

CarComplaints.com Seal Of Avoid Like The Plague

CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2010 Mazda CX-7 appears to share the same engine defects as the three previous model years: VVT/timing chain failure & turbo failure. The timing chain failure is especially bad with many cars requiring an engine replacement ($9,000+).

In 2011, Mazda began a "Special Service Program" that extended the warranty to 7 years/70,000 miles covering excessive timing chain noise — an early sign of timing chain failure. However coverage under the program requires perfect documentation of all required maintenance with other stipulations. Buyer beware.

3.7

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
33,498 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2010 Mazda CX-7 lights problems

lights problem

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2010 Mazda CX-7 Owner Comments

problem #20

Dec 012022

CX-7

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Recently got this car and am fixing it up. Vehicle's headlights function but are dysfunctional. Night driving is impossible as per nearly nonexistent illumination of roadway. Don't know how to fix/upgrade. Wanted to give this vehicle to my Florida student but now hesitate as Florida's roadways are not illuminated. Have seen many posts relative hereto, even when the vehicle was new. A manufacturer's recall should issue for new improved headlights. Please advise on a fix for this essential vehicular safety function.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #19

Jun 082022

CX-7

  • miles
Headlight to nowhere just started having horrible visibility it-€™s like if lights were off I change the bulbs several times LEDs H IDs factory bulbs still results no good

- Buddlake , NJ, USA

problem #18

May 102020

CX-7 4-cyl

  • miles
Low beam headlights are very dangerous, impossible to see down the road using the low beam lights. This is very dangerous and should be a safety recall for the manufacturer to correct.

- Canton, OH, USA

problem #17

Mar 012020

CX-7

  • 97,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My headlights are very dim no matter which bulbs I put in. I really need to get this fixed because driving at night is a danger. I've read many Mazda Cx-7 owners have had this issue.

- Scranton, PA, USA

problem #16

Jan 012014

CX-7

  • 30,000 miles
I am very unhappy with my headlights on my Mazda CX7 2010 or should I say lack of headlights. I have put 8 light bulbs in this car and they were the expensive ones. This car is a piece of crap all the way around but the headlights are really bad! also they are so clouded over. I have a hard time driving at night and now I just can't because I am not going to get stopped again for having a headlight out! I only drive during the day. I can't believe that they do not have a recall for this problem, when I see so many complaints on the same thing. This is such a stress er for me. I wish there was someone out there that could help us in this situation.

- Lyons, NY, USA

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problem #15

Mar 312018

CX-7

  • 112,000 miles
Headlight bulbs have burned out every 6 months since we bought the vehicle in 2010. Over the past few years, the lenses have fogged up to the point headlights are worthless. Took the vehicle to the dealer, one seal is bad and the other side has melted, cost of repair is nearly $2,000. This is a safety issue and looks to be a common defect in this make/model of car. We now drive the car only during daylight. If we need to at night, we use high beams exclusively as we can't see a thing with regular headlights.

- Georgetown, KY, USA

problem #14

Jan 152018

CX-7

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Both low beam head lights keep going out. I have had the car for 3 years in July and I've had to get get each light changed 3 times already. When I get one side fixed the other one goes out.

- Augusta, GA, USA

problem #13

Dec 212017

CX-7

  • miles
Head light bulbs were burning out and could not be replaced because the clips were broken. I was told this is quite common in the design and in their infinite wisdom, Mazda refuses to sell new clips, instead, I was forced to buy two new headlight fixtures to the tune of $1200 for parts and 300 for labor. I am never buying another Mazda.

- Newton, NJ, USA

problem #12

Mar 112017

CX-7

  • miles
I have my Mazda 2010 CX7 on 3-11-2017. When the dealer give me to me. The Mazda have this. They star with the light on in air bag and other time. The other problem is when use the swith and put the light there change and I'm think there have problem electrical and in the rim. The Mazda running but they have a couple problem. And unknown situation the only fixed is the lower control arm. Because when am going ovethere they told me the only recall have is that want. The lower control arm.

- York, PA, USA

problem #11

Jul 212017

CX-7

  • miles
I noticed tailights looked funny, so I removed them to inspect them. To my surprise there were melted holes in the taillight, and burn/charred marks on 2 of the light receptacles. Also having problems with front head light burning out. This appears to be a major defect with this model, every owner I have spoke with has same problem.

- Sonoma, CA, USA

problem #10

Nov 012016

CX-7 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Mazda Cx-7. the contact stated that the low beams shorted more than five times and an independent mechanic had to replace the head lamp assemblies multiple times. The contact had to utilize the high beams each time the failure occurred. In addition, the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V356000 (air bags) and 16V593000 (suspension). The contact was to check with the manufacturer to determine when the dealer may be able to schedule the recall repairs and to report the electrical failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000. Parts distribution disconnect. VIN tool confirms parts not available...updated 08/22/17

- Lusby, MD, USA

problem #9

Mar 102017

CX-7

  • 40,000 miles
The low beam headlights have had to be replaced multiple times on our vehicle, one night both went out and had to drive home with our high beams on, we've probably replaced about at least two dozen bulbs, there has to be some fix to this issue, they are expensive and not easy to replace, they say drilling a hole in the housing will take care of the problem by giving air and reducing the moisture in the housing, that has been done and still lights are going out, need help here on this issue.

- Cedar Springs, MI, USA

problem #8

Jan 052017

CX-7 4-cyl

  • miles
Low beam headlights on this vehicle are extremely poor and they are so dull that it is difficult to drive at night. When I compare the low beam halogen projectors on other makes of vehicles that I have driven, they consistently perform far better than those on the Mazda. I felt that the lights were subpar from the time I bought the vehicle from new, but they have gotten worse over time. Specifically the illumination of the road surface, the Focus and the distance of the light all appear to be very poor. It is just difficult to see at night. I suspect that the problem is in the design and construction of the lights because as I mentioned, I noticed this problem when the car was new. So this is not a problem of old lights on an old car. I even mentioned it to the dealership during a service and they checked the aim of the lights and said that they were working perfectly. Having seen other complaints from other owners and drivers of this vehicle, I am now convinced that this is a problem that Mazda should take responsibility for. Headlights are there to enable drivers to see and be seen under most road conditions. The 2010 Mazda Cx-7 headlights simply fail to achieve this. This is clearly a case of form over function, but in this case it had led to a serious safety concern.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #7

Dec 202016

CX-7

  • miles
Yet another dim headlight has burned out. I've owned this vehicle 16 months, and this will be the 10th time changing the dim headlight bulb. 7 times on the drivers side, and this will make 3rd time on passenger side. As well as having to change a tail light on passenger side. All the Mazda dealers are aware of this problem, and I as well as they are wondering why there is no recall on this problem?!! this is an expensive, troublesome and very aggravating issue, and very inconvenient and unsafe!!

- Fort Atkinson, WI, USA

problem #6

Dec 072016

CX-7

  • 177,473 miles
The headlights (low beam) on my car simply stopped working all of a sudden. Checked the fuses and all are fine. High beams and signal lights work fine, it's just the headlights. Have seen this same description in other websites as possibly the control module had a short circuit and this is a very common thing to happen to these cars. Mazda is not accepting this as an "in warranty" repair even though this is a major common complaint. My car is out of warranty already, so I'll need to pay this repair out of pocket.

- Ruther Glen, VA, USA

problem #5

Nov 052016

CX-7

  • miles
My headlights have been going out for the last several years and I finally realized I should complain about. I've change the low beam bulbs multiple times (I do not touch the bulb with my hand) and every few months the bulb goes bad. This happens so frequently that I keep a spare bulb in my glove compartment. I've read many message boards stating their Mazda has similar issues. There has to be some other solution rather than spending a lot of money on bulbs or going to the dealership for them to change.

- Ashville, AL, USA

problem #4

May 022016

CX-7

  • miles
Head lights are very dim. Can not drive the car at night. I have replaced the lights 2 times with no improvement.

- Jupiter, FL, USA

problem #3

Sep 282015

CX-7

  • miles
Dim headlamp bulbs burn out repeatedly. Have owned vehicle 5 months and have changed 4 times

- Union, IL, USA

problem #2

Mar 032015

CX-7 4-cyl

  • 83,490 miles
The bulbs melted both back tail light lamps. A manufacturing defect from defective parts. Which should be replace and repair free of charge.

- Manor, TX, USA

problem #1

Aug 012011

CX-7

  • miles
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 traveling too slow or too fast when the instrument panel is so poorly lighted. I have looked at other 2010 and 2011 models, and they are all the same, poorly lighted. I recently spoke to someone with another model who had the same complaint. I feel that it is unsafe and should be recalled. I have no other complaints about the vehicle at this time.

- Bonney Lake, WA, USA

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