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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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97,633 miles · Dec 23, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

DEALERSHIP MAINTAINED CX-7 EXPERIENCED MAJOR FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE DIED AND MAJOR OIL LEAK WAS NOTICED. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP FIRST INDICATED THAT THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF FAILURE REGARDING THE #3 CYLINDER. DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE PROBABLE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DUE TO TURBO OVERHEATING. LATE…

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DEALERSHIP MAINTAINED CX-7 EXPERIENCED MAJOR FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE DIED AND MAJOR OIL LEAK WAS NOTICED. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP FIRST INDICATED THAT THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF FAILURE REGARDING THE #3 CYLINDER. DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE PROBABLE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DUE TO TURBO OVERHEATING. LATER THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE #4 PISTON FAILED AND CAUSED CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS NEVER DETERMINED. THE ENGINE, TURBOCHARGER, THERMOSTAT, EGR VALVE, INTAKE MANIFOLD, STARTER AND O2 SENSOR WERE REPLACED. TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS (LABOR, PARTS, AND MISC CHARGES) PRIOR TO TAX WAS $10,557.49. PRIOR TO ENGINE FAILURE WE INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ON BUT STATED THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE GAS CAP NOT BEING PROPERLY PUT ON. THEY NEVER SCANNED THE COMPUTER DESPITE THE CAR BEING UNDER WARRANTY. ADDITIONALLY A TICKING NOISE HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP'S ATTENTION BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE NOISE WAS NORMAL FOR THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10441095

51,000 miles · Dec 20, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE CEASED ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MAZDA SAYS IT IS MY FAULT FOR GOING 2000 MILES OVER THE OIL CHANGE. HOWEVER, OIL LIGHT NEVER CAME ON; CAR WAS NOT DRIVING ANY DIFFERENTLY THAN NORMAL; AND NO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. EVEN THOUGH CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY, MAZDA IS REFUSING TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGE. IT IS HARD TO BE…

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ENGINE CEASED ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MAZDA SAYS IT IS MY FAULT FOR GOING 2000 MILES OVER THE OIL CHANGE. HOWEVER, OIL LIGHT NEVER CAME ON; CAR WAS NOT DRIVING ANY DIFFERENTLY THAN NORMAL; AND NO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. EVEN THOUGH CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY, MAZDA IS REFUSING TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGE. IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A WELL-MAINTAINED CARD WITH A LITTLE OVER 50K MILES WILL CEASE IT ENGINE BECAUSE OF 2000 MILES OVER AN OIL CHANGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440548

70,000 miles · Dec 16, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

THIS VEHICLE HAS CAUSED ME NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS! I HAVE HAD IT FOR 3 YEARS AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES AND THIS LAST TIME IS THE TRANSMISSION AT 70,000 MILES! THIS IS RIDICULOUS...MAZDA NEEDS TO CLEAN UP IT'S ACT. CUSTOMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE CHARGES LIKE THIS EARLY ON IN THE LIFE OF A VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS GORGEOUS BUT P…

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THIS VEHICLE HAS CAUSED ME NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS! I HAVE HAD IT FOR 3 YEARS AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES AND THIS LAST TIME IS THE TRANSMISSION AT 70,000 MILES! THIS IS RIDICULOUS...MAZDA NEEDS TO CLEAN UP IT'S ACT. CUSTOMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE CHARGES LIKE THIS EARLY ON IN THE LIFE OF A VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS GORGEOUS BUT PERHAPS THEY SHOULD HAVE SPENT A LITTLE MORE TIME PUTTING IT TOGETHER AS IT DOESN'T MATTER FOR EYE APPEALING IT IS WHEN IT DOESN'T RUN! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440235

81,887 miles · Dec 16, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FOR MY MOM AS A PRESENT BECAUSE SHE HAS WANTED ONE SINCE THEY CAME OUT. IT HAS 81,000 MILES ON IT. THE VVT HAS GONE OUT, THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDS REPLACED AND NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THE ENGINE IS SHOT BECAUSE OF THE SLUDGE AND THE NEGLECTED CARE TO THE VEHICLE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED SO I DO …

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JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FOR MY MOM AS A PRESENT BECAUSE SHE HAS WANTED ONE SINCE THEY CAME OUT. IT HAS 81,000 MILES ON IT. THE VVT HAS GONE OUT, THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDS REPLACED AND NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THE ENGINE IS SHOT BECAUSE OF THE SLUDGE AND THE NEGLECTED CARE TO THE VEHICLE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED SO I DO NOT KNOW HOW IT WAS CARED FOR PREVIOUSLY, BUT SINCE WE HAVE HAD IT, IT HAS BEEN CARED FOR MAGNIFICENTLY. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS CONSUMER REPORTS WHICH STATED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS IM HAVING. I'M GETTING QUOTED OVER $7,500 TO FIX THE VEHICLE THAT I PURCHASED NOT EVEN 2 MONTHS AGO. MAZDA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440230

84,898 miles · Dec 14, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY CAR (WHICH I BOUGHT IN AUG. OF 2010) STARTED MAKING A LOUD TAPPING NOISE AND 2 DAYS LATER IT JUST QUIT ON ME, I WAS PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT WERE I WORK SO THANK GOD I WASN'T ON A MAJOR STREET OR ANYTHING BECAUSE IT JUST TURNED OFF OUT OF THE BLUE. I HAD TO GET HELP TO PUSH IT IN A PARKING SPACE AND IT'S BEEN SITTING …

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MY CAR (WHICH I BOUGHT IN AUG. OF 2010) STARTED MAKING A LOUD TAPPING NOISE AND 2 DAYS LATER IT JUST QUIT ON ME, I WAS PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT WERE I WORK SO THANK GOD I WASN'T ON A MAJOR STREET OR ANYTHING BECAUSE IT JUST TURNED OFF OUT OF THE BLUE. I HAD TO GET HELP TO PUSH IT IN A PARKING SPACE AND IT'S BEEN SITTING THERE FOR THE LAST WEEK BECAUSE I HAVE NO MONEY TO GO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED NOW SO I'M NOT SURE OF WHAT TO DO SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING THING WITH THESE CARS, NOT JUST MINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10439881

34,951 miles · Dec 14, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TIMING VALVE REPLACED AT 34,951 MILES, THEN ENGINE REPLACED AT 41,060 MILES ON JULY 24, 2008. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10439855

76,000 miles · Dec 8, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

BOUGHT MY 2007 MAZDA CX7 WITH 76000 MILES NOT EVEN KIDDING BUT 12HRS LATER MY MOTOR MOUNT AND THE VVT WENT OUT. A MONTH LATER RADIATOR CRACKED AND NOW IT HAD A BAD OIL LEAK AND LOUD KNOCKIN NOISE IT SOUNDS LIKE AN OLD TRUCK VERY BUMPED OUT I HAVE ONLY HAD IT FOR FIVE MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10439097

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

BOUGHT CAR 4 MONTHS AGO, 61K MILES, AT 64K MILES CAR TURNED OFF ON HIGHWAY, HAD THE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED AND THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE, AND NOW CAR NEEDS A NEW ENGINE AT 64K MILES AND MAZDA WILL NOT COVER DUE TO OUT OF WARRANTY. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10437854

63,000 miles · Nov 16, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN IT MAKES A LOUD SQUEALING SOUND AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER BEGINS TO SMOKE. AIR CONDITIONING HAD QUIT WORKING THE DAY BEFORE. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THE A/C COMPRESSOR "TOOK A CRAP" AND THE CLUTCH LOCKED UP, FURTHERMORE THIS CAUSED ALL OF THE FLUIDS TO LEAK OUT OF THE BEARINGS. BASICALLY, A WORST CASE…

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DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN IT MAKES A LOUD SQUEALING SOUND AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER BEGINS TO SMOKE. AIR CONDITIONING HAD QUIT WORKING THE DAY BEFORE. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THE A/C COMPRESSOR "TOOK A CRAP" AND THE CLUTCH LOCKED UP, FURTHERMORE THIS CAUSED ALL OF THE FLUIDS TO LEAK OUT OF THE BEARINGS. BASICALLY, A WORST CASE SCENARIO. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN MAY OF 2010 AT 24,000 MILES AND AFTER SEEING THESE COMPLAINTS, I WONDER IF THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM KNEW ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS WHEN I MADE THE PURCHASE. THE MECHANIC IS WORKING HARD TO FIND THE BEST PRICED COMPRESSOR KIT FOR REPLACEMENT AND OFFERED TO RUN MY VIN THRU A LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL I WASN'T TOLD ABOUT. EITHER WAY, I AM OUT ALOT OF MONEY UP FRONT; THANK GOODNESS THERE ARE STILL GOOD INDEPENDENT MECHANICS OUT THERE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436110

47,500 miles · Nov 16, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

THE POWER TRAIN (TIMING CHAIN) FAILED IN LESS THAN 4 YEARS , 47,000 MILES --ONE OWNER WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436093

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.