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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 And Engine Cooling complaints

206 reports
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51,000 miles · Jan 21, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEED, NOISE STARTED TO COME FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SEEMED TO COME AND GO, BUT SUDDENLY SMELLED SMOKE AND LOST POWER STEERING. NEARLY HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION. THIS WAS A VERY SERIOUS NEAR MISS. MANAGED TO GET CAR TO NEIGHBORHOOD CAR REPAIR SHOP. AFTER INSPECTION, CAUSE WAS DETERMINED TO BE SEI…

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WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEED, NOISE STARTED TO COME FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SEEMED TO COME AND GO, BUT SUDDENLY SMELLED SMOKE AND LOST POWER STEERING. NEARLY HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION. THIS WAS A VERY SERIOUS NEAR MISS. MANAGED TO GET CAR TO NEIGHBORHOOD CAR REPAIR SHOP. AFTER INSPECTION, CAUSE WAS DETERMINED TO BE SEIZED A/C COMPRESSOR THAT LED TO CASCADING FAILURES. COST TO REPAIR ALL DAMAGE WAS $2250. I HAVE SINCE READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE ON MAZDA CX-7 AND STILL NO RECALL? I WILL BE SENDING A CLAIM TO MAZDA USA AND WOULD ALSO BE INTERESTED IN JOINING ANY CLASS ACTION SUITE TO RECOUPE ALL MY COSTS AND TO FORCE MAZDA USA TO MAKE A RECALL. FAMILY'S LIVES ARE AT STAKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10301687

61,000 miles · Jan 10, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

WHILE DRIVING WE HEARD A NOISE FROM THE ENGINE, WE WERE ABOUT A MILE FROM OUR DESTINATION. WHEN WE PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT WE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN MY HUSBAND OPENED THE HOOD, WE SAW FLAMES. WE IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 AND RAN TO THE BUILDING TO PROCURE A FIRE EXTINGUSHER. WE WERE ABLE TO LOCA…

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WHILE DRIVING WE HEARD A NOISE FROM THE ENGINE, WE WERE ABOUT A MILE FROM OUR DESTINATION. WHEN WE PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT WE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN MY HUSBAND OPENED THE HOOD, WE SAW FLAMES. WE IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 AND RAN TO THE BUILDING TO PROCURE A FIRE EXTINGUSHER. WE WERE ABLE TO LOCATE ONE AND MY HUSBAND PUT OUT THE FIRE. WE WERE TOLD BY THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP THAT THE COMPRESSOR CLUTCH HAD FAILED, CAUSING THE FIRE. WE HAD PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE, UNFORTUNATELY, IT ONLY COVERED TO 60,000 MILES AND THE VEHICLE HAD 61,000 MILES. THE SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED THAT WE SHOULD FILE A CLAIM ON OUR INSURANCE, BUT SINCE WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET A DETAILED ESTIMATE ON THE DAMAGES, WE HAVEN'T PROCEEDED THAT FAR YET. THEY HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE FOR THREE DAYS AND THERE IS NO COMPLETE INFORMATION ON THE DAMAGES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10298905

39,603 miles · Jan 8, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

AC COMPRESSOR LOCKED UP CAUSING CAR TO STALL IN MIDDLE OF STREET AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10298768

39,300 miles · Dec 30, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

2007 MAZDA CX-7 - A/C COMPRESSOR WENT OUT ON WAY HOME FROM FL TO ATL. WHITE SMOKE FROM RIGHT SIDE ENGINE BAY. WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF A/C IN TIME TO KEEP VEHICLE RUNNING. SEEMS THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MAZDA. $900 TO REPLACE PARTS AND LABOR. MAZDA OF ROSWELL STATES ISSUE WAS UNKNOWN TO THEM. MAZDA USA IS AWARE AS WELL AS ALL T…

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2007 MAZDA CX-7 - A/C COMPRESSOR WENT OUT ON WAY HOME FROM FL TO ATL. WHITE SMOKE FROM RIGHT SIDE ENGINE BAY. WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF A/C IN TIME TO KEEP VEHICLE RUNNING. SEEMS THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MAZDA. $900 TO REPLACE PARTS AND LABOR. MAZDA OF ROSWELL STATES ISSUE WAS UNKNOWN TO THEM. MAZDA USA IS AWARE AS WELL AS ALL THE FORUMS AND THIS SITE AS WELL FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS. MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES. SOME WITHIN THE 36K BTB WARRANTY, SOME AFTER. POWERTRAIN IS UP TO 60K. WITH THIS BEING A KNOWN ISSUE, SHOULDN'T THIS BE A RECALL IF IT IS A PROBLEM THAT WILL OCCUR ON MOST 2007 CX-7'S WITH THE PART? I HAVE EMAILED MAZDA USA AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10297485

65,000 miles · Dec 29, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX7. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE AND THEN SMOKE WAS CAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN PULLED OVER TO A MECHANIC SHOP. SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE ENGINES OIL LEVEL WAS DEPLETED. HOWEVER SHE WAS NOT SCHEDULED FOR ANOTHER OIL CHANGE UNTIL THE 25TH OF DECEMB…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX7. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE AND THEN SMOKE WAS CAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN PULLED OVER TO A MECHANIC SHOP. SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE ENGINES OIL LEVEL WAS DEPLETED. HOWEVER SHE WAS NOT SCHEDULED FOR ANOTHER OIL CHANGE UNTIL THE 25TH OF DECEMBER . THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TURBO FAILED IN HER VEHICLE . THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65000. UPDATED 02/1710 *BF UPDATED 02/19/10

NHTSA ODI #10297419

60,000 miles · Dec 29, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

CAR'S A/C STOPPED WORKING AND SMOKE CAME FROM THE ENGINE. THEN THE CAR STALLED AND THE CONTROL VIA POWER STEERING WENT NON-EXISTENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10297389

56,000 miles · Dec 16, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

I HAVE A MAZDA CX-7 2007. IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS I HAD TO REPLACE AC CONDENSER TWICE. IT LOCKED UP AND STARTED SMOKING. AND THE CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE. NOW THEY HAVE 300 BACK ORDERS FOR THIS PART BEFORE I CAN FIX MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296089

34,000 miles · Nov 18, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFire

I GOT INTO A MAZDA FORUM WHERE MANY COSTUMERS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING CLUTCH FAILURE (SEIZED) LOOSING POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. TURBO FAILURE, CAUSING ENGINE OVERHEATING. TIMING BELT FAILURE. I CAN NOT FIND ANY RECALLS ABOUT THESE FAILURES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292853

60,000 miles · Nov 12, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2007 MAZDA CX-7 WHEN SHE HEARD A BANG AND SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. AFTER INSPECTION, I DETERMINED IT WAS THE AC COMPRESSOR BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T SMOKE WHEN THE AC WAS TURNED OFF. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED MY SUSPICION. TH…

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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2007 MAZDA CX-7 WHEN SHE HEARD A BANG AND SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. AFTER INSPECTION, I DETERMINED IT WAS THE AC COMPRESSOR BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T SMOKE WHEN THE AC WAS TURNED OFF. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED MY SUSPICION. THE AIR COMPRESSOR HAD LOCKED UP AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE BELT. THIS WAS GOING TO COST $1069 PLUS TAX. AFTER READING OVER 15 PAGES OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON EDMUND'S FORUM, I AM FILING A COMPLAINT. IT APPEARS THAT MY WIFE ONLY HAD A MINOR INCIDENT WHILE OTHERS LOST POWER STEERING AND COMPLETE OPERATION OF THEIR VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AS THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY VEHICLES AND MAY COST SOMEONE'S LIFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10291983

30,000 miles · Nov 5, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

WE OWN A 2007 MAZDA CX7. WE TOOK A VACATION TO FLORIDA FROM OHIO. ON THE WAY BACK, WE BEGAN TO SMELL BURNING RUBBER. I STOPPED TO CHECK IT OUT, BUT EVERYTHING LOOKED TO BE IN ORDER AND NOTHING WAS LEAKING. WE THEN LOST AIR CONDITIONING AND THE SMELL BECAME MORE PREVALENT. MINUTES LATER, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG FROM UNDER THE HOOD.…

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WE OWN A 2007 MAZDA CX7. WE TOOK A VACATION TO FLORIDA FROM OHIO. ON THE WAY BACK, WE BEGAN TO SMELL BURNING RUBBER. I STOPPED TO CHECK IT OUT, BUT EVERYTHING LOOKED TO BE IN ORDER AND NOTHING WAS LEAKING. WE THEN LOST AIR CONDITIONING AND THE SMELL BECAME MORE PREVALENT. MINUTES LATER, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR BASICALLY BEGAN SHUTTING DOWN. ALL CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOK. NO POWER STEERING. THIS HAPPENED AT 1AM IN THE HILLS OF WEST VIRGINIA, AND WE WERE LUCKY TO COAST INTO A MOTEL. THIS LEFT US STRANDED AT THE MOTEL, AND UPON OPENING MY HOOD - THERE WAS COOLANT ALL OVER THE ENGINE BAY AND THERE WERE SHREDS OF RUBBER FROM THE BELTS THAT HAD SNAPPED OFF. THE SHREDDED BELTS WERE STILL SITTING INSIDE THE ENGINE BAY, AND EVERYTHING WAS STILL SMOKING. THE CAP HAD POPPED OFF OF THE RADIATOR, WHICH IS WHY THERE WAS A COOLANT MESS EVERYWHERE. WE HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO THE CLOSEST MAZDA DEALERSHIP (1 HOUR AWAY). WE WERE THEN LEFT WITHOUT OUR VEHICLE FOR A MONTH WHILE THEY WERE TRYING TO RETRIEVE PARTS. IT WAS DURING THIS TIME THAT I FOUND OUT THIS ISN'T AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, AND I FEEL MAZDA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ASAP. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY WIFE, TODDLER, AND INFANT - AND THIS PUT US IN A VERY FRUSTRATING SITUATION. I WAS GLAD I WAS DRIVING AND NOT MY WIFE, AS IT COULD HAVE PUT HER STRANDED SOMEWHERE. THIS IS INEXCUSABLE THAT A CAR, WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES ON IT, WOULD HAVE THIS MUCH DAMAGE. THEY NEED TO ADDRESS THESE FAULTY COMPRESSORS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10291054

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.