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2012 Mazda CX-7

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 CX-7.

Body SUV

The 2012 Mazda CX-7 is an SUV that, despite carrying four recalls and 39 owner complaints primarily centered around its suspension, represents a significant step forward in the model's overall reliability trajectory. Looking at the CX-7's complaint history spanning 2007 to 2013, the earliest models suffered from a staggering 528 owner complaints in 2007, while the final 2013 model year saw just a single issue reported. As a late-production example, the 2012 model year sits near the end of this improving curve, meaning buyers are looking at a vehicle that has largely moved past the severe issues of its earliest years, even if the suspension remains the most scrutinized component.

Model year2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque65-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 U.S. · 525 U.S. CCA battery, OE oil filter LF0514302B. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 U.S. · 525 U.S. CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP215-70R17OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	LF0514302B alt LF0214342
Engine air filter	AJ5713Z40A9U
Fuel filter	L33L13ZE0 alt L55513ZE0
Spark plug	L3YD18110
Battery	F22118520E alt 000080124FWB
Front wiper blades	TD1167330 alt GS1E67330
Serpentine belt	L3BR15909
Thermostat	LF0315165A alt L33615170
Cabin air filter	EG2161P11

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	184.3 in
Overall width	73.6 in
Overall height	65 in
Wheelbase	108.3 in
Curb weight	4008 lb
Track (front / rear)	63.4 / 63.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	51/49

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the CX-7 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.5–10.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.50 sec — 2007 Sport

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2010	i Sport 2.5L I-4	10.00 sec	17.60 sec	161 hp	FWD
2009	Grand Touring 2.3L Turbo I-4	7.80 sec	16.00 sec	244 hp	AWD
2008	Grand Touring 2.3L Turbo I-4	7.70 sec	15.80 sec	244 hp	AWD
2007	Sport 2.3L Turbo I-4	7.50 sec	15.50 sec	244 hp	AWD
2007	Sport 2.3L Turbo I-4	7.70 sec	15.80 sec	244 hp	FWD
2007	Grand Touring 2.3L Turbo I-4	7.80 sec	15.90 sec	244 hp	AWD
2007	Sport 2.3L Turbo I-4	7.90 sec	16.10 sec	244 hp	AWD
2007	Touring 2.3L Turbo I-4	7.90 sec	16.00 sec	244 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 · SAE J1703 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-87 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	5.3
Brake Fluid	DOT 3 · SAE J1703
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	2 Pints
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	SOHC: 30-36 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	SOHC: 14-22 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	80-85 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	13-16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	32-47 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	12-14 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	32-47 ft-lbs
Main Bearings	SOHC: 75-85 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	65-87 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	174-202 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	174-202 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 Turbo rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Ignition Timing	Turbo: 10, Non-Turbo: 8 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPM	Idle rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	.98-1.08 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	4.06 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	35 U.S.
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	525 U.S. cca
Optional BCI Group Number	24F Canada

Service checks

Pressure Test	18 - MAXIMUM PRESSURE psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	176-183 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	33.0 Turbo psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	33.0 Turbo psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	29.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	29.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	11.4

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	61-68 ft-lbs / 16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	79-93 ft-lbs / 58-75 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1.06 in / 0.66 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.03 in / 0.63 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

45-79 inch lbs., Step 2: 10-12

45–79 in

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

20-23 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

20–23 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

71-77 ft. lbs., step 2: 87-93

71–77 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

71-76 ft. lbs., step 2: 87-93

71–76 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

6-9 ft. lbs., Step 2: 21-23 ft. lbs, Step 3: 90

6–9 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 75,000 mi; coolant at 60,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 60,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake Rotor (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Body Fasteners (torque) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering System (inspect)
Every 37,500 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 45,000 mi	Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 mi	Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect)
Every 75,000 mi	Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 180,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The Mazda CX-7's federal record reveals a steep downward trend in complaints across its generation, plummeting from an alarming 528 in 2007 to just 39 in the 2012 target year. Compared to the years immediately before it—which saw a secondary spike of 155 complaints in 2010 and 152 in 2011—the 2012 model represents a significant drop in reported issues, preceding the final 2013 model year that logged only a single complaint. For the 2012 model specifically, the 39 complaints center mostly on Suspension (9) and Air Bags (5), with 4 crash reports and 0 fire reports, though the data does not specify the root causes of these issues. Recalls remained relatively consistent across the generation, tapering only slightly from 5 in 2010 to 4 in 2012, suggesting that major systemic defects were largely addressed earlier in the vehicle's lifecycle. Positioned at the low point of the generation's complaint arc, the 2012 CX-7 is a good year to buy, offering a statistically stronger reliability profile than the highly problematic earlier models.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

231

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

4 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11’12’13

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 39 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension9

Air Bags5

Exterior Lighting4

Suspension,Air Bags3

Steering,Air Bags2

Structure,Wheels,Service Brakes1

Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1

Electrical System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V717000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 12/10/2018

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… Remedy: 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…

19V782000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 31/10/2019

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2012 CX-7, CX-9, and 2009-2012 Maza6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 231 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
SA-041-26	2026-06-18	Electrical System	This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in…
SA-029-26	2026-04-21	Power Train	This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are…
SA-061-25	2025-12-17	Electrical System	If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start…
07-004-25a	2025-12-10	Unknown Or Other	A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system…
SA-039/25	2025-08-21	Structure	Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.)…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific CX-7. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 35 battery Engine oil filter LF0514302B Engine air filter AJ5713Z40A9U Fuel filter L33L13ZE0 Spark plug L3YD18110

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

Does the 2012 CX-7 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.