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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

528 reports
91,000 miles · Jun 20, 2014
Engine

JUST BOUGHT A USED 2007 MAZDA CX7 ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO AND THE CAR STARTING PRODUCING SMOKE OUT OF THE TAILPIPE. TOOK THE CAR IN AS IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT THE TURBO CHARGER IS GOING OUT IN THE CAR! I ASKED THE DEALER IF THIS IS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT IT WAS NOT. THAT …

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JUST BOUGHT A USED 2007 MAZDA CX7 ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO AND THE CAR STARTING PRODUCING SMOKE OUT OF THE TAILPIPE. TOOK THE CAR IN AS IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT THE TURBO CHARGER IS GOING OUT IN THE CAR! I ASKED THE DEALER IF THIS IS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT IT WAS NOT. THAT IS ABSURD! I WISH I WOULD HAVE READ ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CAR WITH PEOPLE HAVING TO GO THROUGH THE ORDEAL WITH CRAPPY SERVICE FROM THE DEALER BEFORE BUYING IT! THIS OUGHT TO BE INCLUDED IN A RECALL CONSIDERING THE AMOUNT OF TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED TO BUYERS OF THE CX7. I FEEL TERRIBLE AS THIS WAS PURCHASED FOR MY MOM TO DRIVE WHO IS ON A FIXED INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE MAJOR REPAIRS DONE ON A CAR THAT WAS PURCHASED ONLY 2 MONTHS AGO! ME, NOR ANY OF MY IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE EVER OWNED A MAZDA VEHICLE AND BEST BELIEVE THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME WE DO! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10604861

72,000 miles · Jun 19, 2014
Engine

DRIVING TO WORK ON INTERSTATE TRUCK LOST POWER AND HAD TO ROLL TO SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL IT FINALLY STOPPED ROLLING. HAD TRUCK TOWED TO LOCAL MAZDA DEALER, SERVICE MANAGER STATED THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. ADVISED MANAGER TO FIX THE TIMING CHAIN AT A COST 1700.00, NOTIFIED TWO DAYS LATER TIMING CHAIN…

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DRIVING TO WORK ON INTERSTATE TRUCK LOST POWER AND HAD TO ROLL TO SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL IT FINALLY STOPPED ROLLING. HAD TRUCK TOWED TO LOCAL MAZDA DEALER, SERVICE MANAGER STATED THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. ADVISED MANAGER TO FIX THE TIMING CHAIN AT A COST 1700.00, NOTIFIED TWO DAYS LATER TIMING CHAIN WAS FIXED HOWEVER WHEN THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE A PIECE WENT INTO THE ENGINE AND "BROKE' IT. I WAS ADVISED COULD HAVE REPAIRED FOR 8,000.00. COULD NOT AFFORD IT, HAD TRUCK TOWED HOME AND IT HAS REMAINED PARKED FOR 4 YEARS, AND YES I STILL OWED ON IT. HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND SEE THE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TRUCK SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL AND SAME ISSUE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE..MAZDA CX7 ARE UNSAFE, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THE TRUCK CUT OFF IN FRONT OF 18 WHEELER. THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT SUBMISSION ABOUT THIS ISSUE TO YOUR BRANCH, AND READING ONLINE I AM NOT THE ONLY ON THAT HAS SUBMITTED THIS CLAIM TO YOU. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE GET THIS TRUCK OFF THE ROAD!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10604590

78,000 miles · Jun 11, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I PULLED FROM MY DRIVEWAY ONTO A HIGHWAY DECIDED TO TURN ON HEADLIGHTS BECAUSE OF HEAVY TREE COVER COMING UP, IT WAS ALMOST FULL DARK TURNED KNOB ON LEVER NO LIGHTS HIT BREAKS THANK GOD THOSE WERE STILL WHERE I REMEMBERED THEM HIT FOG LIGHTS THEY CAME ON. WENT TO HIGH BEAM FOGS SHUT OFF (CORRECT) HIGH BEAMS AT LEAST WORKED MUCH …

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I PULLED FROM MY DRIVEWAY ONTO A HIGHWAY DECIDED TO TURN ON HEADLIGHTS BECAUSE OF HEAVY TREE COVER COMING UP, IT WAS ALMOST FULL DARK TURNED KNOB ON LEVER NO LIGHTS HIT BREAKS THANK GOD THOSE WERE STILL WHERE I REMEMBERED THEM HIT FOG LIGHTS THEY CAME ON. WENT TO HIGH BEAM FOGS SHUT OFF (CORRECT) HIGH BEAMS AT LEAST WORKED MUCH TO OTHER DRIVERS SLOWING SWERVING AN JUST ALL AN ALL PISSED OFF. MY HIGH BEAMS SEEM TO TURN THE CLOCK BACK TO ABOUT MID DAY. SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME THOUGH AN COST ME A SHIFT SO I'M INTO THIS OFF THE GET GO 735.00$ LETS SEE HOW MUCH MORE ITS GOING TO COST. SO MUCH FOR GIVING THIS RIG FOR MY 16YEAROLD IN TWO MONTHS SHOULD HAVE STAYED WITH CHEVY OR NISSAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597544

98,300 miles · May 21, 2014
Engine

CAR STARTED TO MAKE A TICKING NOISE FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS A TIMING CHAIN RELATED ISSUE. WILL COST ABOUT $1500 IN PARTS AND LABOR TO REPLACE TIMING CHAIN, VVT VALVE, AND SPROCKETS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593221

76,000 miles · May 21, 2014
Engine

DRIVING ON MY WAY TO TENNESSEE, THE CAR HAD A MAJOR POWER LOSS AND SCREECHING NOISE FROM INSIDE THE ENGINE BAY. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE CLOSEST MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TURBO HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO ENGINE SLUDGE. THE CAR HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES USING THE PROPER AMOUNT AND OIL WEIGHT. MAZDA HAD A RECALL INVOLVIN…

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DRIVING ON MY WAY TO TENNESSEE, THE CAR HAD A MAJOR POWER LOSS AND SCREECHING NOISE FROM INSIDE THE ENGINE BAY. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE CLOSEST MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TURBO HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO ENGINE SLUDGE. THE CAR HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES USING THE PROPER AMOUNT AND OIL WEIGHT. MAZDA HAD A RECALL INVOLVING THE TURBO AND THEY DID NOT HONOR IT BECAUSE I WAS ABOUT 1000 MILES OVER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593216

64,000 miles · May 6, 2014
StructureFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, HE WAS ALERTED THAT THE UNDERBODY OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE SPREAD RAPIDLY TO THE VEHICLE INTERIOR HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THE FAILURE. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, HE WAS ALERTED THAT THE UNDERBODY OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE SPREAD RAPIDLY TO THE VEHICLE INTERIOR HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

NHTSA ODI #10586738

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2014
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 MAZDA CX-7 A FEW DAYS AGO ON A MAJOR ROAD AND IT SUDDENLY STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE AS I ACCELERATED AND WOULD NOT INCREASE SPEED. THIS WAS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS EXPERIENCE FOR ME BECAUSE MY CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO CUTOFF ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WHILE CARS WERE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. I TOOK MY CAR T…

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 MAZDA CX-7 A FEW DAYS AGO ON A MAJOR ROAD AND IT SUDDENLY STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE AS I ACCELERATED AND WOULD NOT INCREASE SPEED. THIS WAS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS EXPERIENCE FOR ME BECAUSE MY CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO CUTOFF ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WHILE CARS WERE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY AND I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TURBOCHARGER AND VVT & TIMING CHAIN FOR A TOTAL OF $4,200. I BEGIN TO PERFORM RESEARCH ONLINE ON THESE ISSUES AND FOUND FORUMS WHERE HUNDREDS OF MAZDA OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLE. UNBEKNOWNST TO ME, MAZDA SENT A LETTER TO OWNERS WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM FOR BOTH OF THESE ISSUES. THE WARRANTY PERIOD IS 70,000MI OR 7 YEARS. MY VEHICLE IS 75,000 AND ONE MOTHER PAST THE 7 YR TIME PERIOD. MAZDA IS CIRCUMVENTING THE RECALL PROCESS BY OFFERING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR PARTS THAT THEY KNOW ARE DEFECTIVE AND THE CONSUMERS WHO BELIEVED THAT THEY WOULD HONOR THEIR PRODUCT IS LEFT WITH A HUGE BILL TO REPAIR THEIR VEHICLE WHEN MAZDA IS RESPONSIBLE PARTY. PLEASE SEE THE LINK BELOW TO SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BY OTHER MAZDA OWNERS ON THIS SAME ISSUE. HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MAZDA/POSTS/10153796263035363. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586085

100,000 miles · Mar 24, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS ALL OF THE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSING IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE AND THE T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS ALL OF THE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSING IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE AND THE TIMING CHAIN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10574446

49,000 miles · Mar 24, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUOUSLY EXHIBIT A TICKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE NOISE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE O…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUOUSLY EXHIBIT A TICKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE NOISE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,500.

NHTSA ODI #10574400

124,966 miles · Mar 13, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TIMING CHAIN STRETCHED AND VARIABLE VALVE TIMING, AND THROTTLE WENT OUT. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAS BEEN STRETCHED OUT ON THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS AT AROUND 64000 MILES. THE 2ND INCIDENT WAS AT 124966 MILES. MAZDA EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE TIMING TO 70,000 MILES ON JANUARY 12. HOWEVER, I DID …

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TIMING CHAIN STRETCHED AND VARIABLE VALVE TIMING, AND THROTTLE WENT OUT. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAS BEEN STRETCHED OUT ON THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS AT AROUND 64000 MILES. THE 2ND INCIDENT WAS AT 124966 MILES. MAZDA EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE TIMING TO 70,000 MILES ON JANUARY 12. HOWEVER, I DID NOT GET THAT LETTER AND IT HAPPENED AFTER I HAD ALREADY GOTTEN THE PROBLEM REPAIRED UNDER A SEPARATE WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10569086

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.