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2007 Mazda CX-7

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most CX-7 years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Mazda CX-7 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 153.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

424 reports with mileage · 104 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 206 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 112 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 102 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports30 fire reports10 injury reports

Engine complaints

112 reports
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69,655 miles · Jun 17, 2013
Engine

WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD TIMING CHAIN JUMPED CAUSING SEVERE INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE ... (BENT ALL VALVES) APPROXIMATELY $8000. TO REPAIR! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520065

107,000 miles · Jun 3, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineUnknown Or Other

AS I WAS DRIVING, THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND IMPLODED INTO THE ENGINE, DAMAGING THE ENGINE WHICH NOW NEEDS REPLACEMENT. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514814

65,000 miles · May 29, 2013
Engine

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I HEARD A TICKING NOISE AFTER A FEW SECONDS LATER THE CAR LOST POWER AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE EXHAUST. WHEN I PULLED OVER I TOOK THE COVER OFF FROM THE ENGINE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS OIL COMING OUT FROM WHERE THE TOP OF THE OIL GOES.THE OIL PRESSURE ON THE BLOCK WAS COMPROMISED DUE TO FAILURE OF …

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I HEARD A TICKING NOISE AFTER A FEW SECONDS LATER THE CAR LOST POWER AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE EXHAUST. WHEN I PULLED OVER I TOOK THE COVER OFF FROM THE ENGINE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS OIL COMING OUT FROM WHERE THE TOP OF THE OIL GOES.THE OIL PRESSURE ON THE BLOCK WAS COMPROMISED DUE TO FAILURE OF THE TURBO. WHEN TAKEN TO THE ROGER BEASLEY MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND THE CAR WAS CRANKED THE DIP STICK SHOT OUT FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THERE WAS CARBON BUILD UP BUT COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO ANOTHER ACS CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE TURBO. BEFORE TAKING THE TRIP ON 4-18-2013 I TOOK MY CAR THE MAZDA OF MESQUITE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I HEARD A TICKING NOISE AND THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. ALSO THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED MSP 36 REFLASHED PCM WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE AND CLEARED ALL FAULT CODES SINCE THERE WAS A RECALL. THREE WEEKS LATER THE ENGINE GOES OUT. THE MANUFACTURE WARRANTY EXPIRED, BUT HAVE A IN SERVICE WARRANTY. THE IN SERVICE WARRANTY AGENCY DENIED THE CLAIM INDICATING THAT IT WAS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OF THE ENGINE FAILURE. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND ALSO EMAILED THE MANUFACTURE TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN AND BOTH AGENCIES DIRECTED ME BACK TO THE IN SERVICE WARRANTY. BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND IN SERVICE WARRANTY ARE NOT WILLING TO ASSIST IN THE COST BEING THAT THE CX7 MODEL IS A LEMON IN MY OPINION. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY CLAIMS AGAINST THIS MODEL BY OTHER CONSUMERS IN WHICH WAS CONFIRMED BY THE EMPLOYEES AT THE GEORGETOWN ROGER BEASLEY MAZDA DEALERSHIP. THE EMPLOYEES INDICATED THAT THE CX7 MODEL HAS A LOT OF PROBLEMS THAT IS WHY THE CX5 REPLACED THE CX7 MODEL. SINCE THE CLAIM WAS DENIED I HAVE SPENT OVER 1000 WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY REPAIRS, ON A SIDE NOTE I WAS 300 MILES AWAY FROM HOME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514173

76,000 miles · May 28, 2013
Engine

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS DRIVING AT 40 MILES PER HOUR. I DID NOT NOTICE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WAY THE CAR WAS HANDLING, HOWEVER I TOOK MY CAR INTO MY LOCAL MAZDA DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THEY INFORMED ME THE CARS TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THERE WAS SLUDGE ON THE ENGINE. IRONICALLY I HAD JUST HAD MY …

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MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS DRIVING AT 40 MILES PER HOUR. I DID NOT NOTICE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WAY THE CAR WAS HANDLING, HOWEVER I TOOK MY CAR INTO MY LOCAL MAZDA DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THEY INFORMED ME THE CARS TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THERE WAS SLUDGE ON THE ENGINE. IRONICALLY I HAD JUST HAD MY OIL CHANGED AND MY ENGINE CLEANED OF SLUDGE LESS THAN 2 WEEKS PRIOR. WE SUBMITTED THE CLAIM THROUGH MY EXTENDED WARRANTY AND AFTER A WEEK GOT IT APPROVED. THE MORNING I WAS SLATED TO PICK UP THE CAR I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS STILL AN ISSUE THAT THEY NEEDED THE CAR LATER. A FEW DAYS LATER THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED MY ENGINE REPLACED. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DENIED THE ORIGINAL CLAIM NOW AND THE CLAIM FOR A NEW ENGINE DUE TO POOR UPKEEP, THOUGH I HAVE MY RECORDS OF MAINTENANCE. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 1 AND 1/2 YEARS. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I AM NOW IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC, BEAR IN MIND I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND AM PREGNANT. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE I HAVE DISCOVERED TONS OF ISSUES WITH THE 2007 CX7 WHICH CAN RESULT IN SEVERE SAFETY ISSUES, ENGINES LOSING POWER ETC. MAZDA IS NOT OWNING UP TO ANY OF IT. NO ENGINE SHOULD DIE AT 76,000 MILES. THIS IS DESERVING OF A RECALL, MAZDA NEEDS TO OWN THEIR MISTAKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513716

82,000 miles · May 22, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513140

96,000 miles · May 22, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine

A/C COMPRESSOR LOCKED UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513120

82,000 miles · May 20, 2013
Engine

2007 MAZDA CX-7: TIMING CHAIN AND VVT HUB STARTED TO FAIL PREMATURELY, LEADING THE CAR TO NOT BE DRIVEN AND POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE AT SPEED. MAZDA IS AWARE OF THIS DESIGN FLAW AND POSSIBLE HAZARDOUS SITUATION, BUT IS RELUCTANT TO REPAIR AT THEIR COST. ENGINE MOUNT #3 HAS ALSO BROKEN CREATING UNSAFE SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10512831

80,000 miles · May 14, 2013
Engine

65MPH CAR DROPPED OUT OF 6TH AND POWERED DOWN. TURBO KILLED THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10512025

57,000 miles · Apr 10, 2013
Engine

I WAS ACCELERATING TO MERGE INTO EXPRESSWAY TRAFFIC WHEN I HEARD A LOUD WHINE/SQUEAL FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE CAR LOST A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF POWER. THE NOISE WAS SO UNEXPECTED AND UNRECOGNIZABLE THAT THE SHOCK I EXPERIENCED WHEN I HEARD IT CAUSED ME TO TENSE UP AND VEER OFF TO THE RIGHT. FORTUNATELY AS I WAS ON A RAMP THERE…

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I WAS ACCELERATING TO MERGE INTO EXPRESSWAY TRAFFIC WHEN I HEARD A LOUD WHINE/SQUEAL FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE CAR LOST A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF POWER. THE NOISE WAS SO UNEXPECTED AND UNRECOGNIZABLE THAT THE SHOCK I EXPERIENCED WHEN I HEARD IT CAUSED ME TO TENSE UP AND VEER OFF TO THE RIGHT. FORTUNATELY AS I WAS ON A RAMP THERE WERE NO VEHICLES TO THE RIGHT OF ME TO HIT. I WAS ABLE TO GET UP TO HIGHWAY SPEED BY GRADUALLY ACCELERATING ON THE SHOULDER BEFORE MERGING AND THEN EXITED AT THE NEXT EXIT. THE VEHICLE IS NOW AT A MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND I'VE BEEN TOLD IT WAS A TURBO CHARGER FAILURE. MY RESEARCH INTO THIS ISSUE ON THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR, HAS PROVEN THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR MAZDA AND THEY HAVE EXTENDED THEIR STANDARD WARRANTY COVERAGE TO OWNERS FOR ADDITIONAL MONTHS AND/OR MILES. THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL HOWEVER AND I THINK THAT CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF THESE INCIDENTS THAT HAVE OCCURRED, ONE WOULD BE WARRANTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505790

70,000 miles · Mar 25, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VARIABLE VALVE TIMING (VVT) BURNED OUT AND CAUSED SMOKE TO EMIT FROM THE EXHAUST PIPES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VVT VALVE TIMING CHAIN WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED THE VVT VALVE TIMING CHAIN. THE C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VARIABLE VALVE TIMING (VVT) BURNED OUT AND CAUSED SMOKE TO EMIT FROM THE EXHAUST PIPES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VVT VALVE TIMING CHAIN WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED THE VVT VALVE TIMING CHAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VVT VALVE TIMING CHAIN WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES PRIOR TO THE RECENT FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10504481

Official recalls

4

19V782000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Oct 31, 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 using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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 alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V356 and 17V012.

17V457000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jul 18, 2017

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2012 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 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 included in "Zone A" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2007-2008 CX-7 and CX-9 sold, or 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. 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 rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recall 17V-012.

17V429000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jun 29, 2017

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Mazda6, and 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles. 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. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recall 16V356 and all vehicles that were not remedied under that campaign are now covered by this one.

16V593000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

Aug 11, 2016

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Mazda CX-7 vehicles manufactured February 14, 2006, to May 9, 2012. In the affected vehicles, water may enter the front suspension ball joint fittings. If the water is contaminated with salt, such as from driving on snowy roads that have been treated, the ball joint may corrode and separate from the lower control arm, resulting in a loss of steering control.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower control arms, free of charge. As a priority, Mazda will first address all affected 2007-2008 vehicles as well as 2009-2011 vehicles currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia. West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The remaining vehicles will be addressed as parts are available. The recall began September 20, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9716H.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.