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2008 Mazda CX-7

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Mazda CX-7 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 153.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

128 reports with mileage · 63 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports9 fire reports1 injury reports

Engine complaints

44 reports
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100,262 miles · Jul 11, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBO CHARGER AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBO CHARGER AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,262. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524339

40,000 miles · Jun 26, 2013
EngineSteering

THERE WAS A KNOCKING ALMOST AS IF THE CAR WAS A DIESEL, BROUGHT THE CAR TO MILFORD MAZDA IN MILFORD CT AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE A MONTH EARLIER AT BOBS IN MILFORD CT. THE MAZDA DEALER REPLACED THE VVT DECEMBER 2012 THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND I TAKE IT TO THE LOCAL GARAGE AND THEY GET A CODE FOR CAMSHAFT, I BRING …

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THERE WAS A KNOCKING ALMOST AS IF THE CAR WAS A DIESEL, BROUGHT THE CAR TO MILFORD MAZDA IN MILFORD CT AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE A MONTH EARLIER AT BOBS IN MILFORD CT. THE MAZDA DEALER REPLACED THE VVT DECEMBER 2012 THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND I TAKE IT TO THE LOCAL GARAGE AND THEY GET A CODE FOR CAMSHAFT, I BRING THE CAR TO MAZDA WHO TELLS ME UPON ARRIVAL WITH OUT EVEN LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE AND IT WOULDN'T BE COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY ARE SURE THERE IS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE, YEA SAME STORY EVERYONE ELSE GETS. I FAITHFULLY HAD MY OIL CHANGED EVERY 5,0000 MILES MAX AS THIS WAS DRILLED IN MY HEAD GROWING UP FROM MY DAD. APPROXIMATELY SOME TIME IN MARCH I WAS DRIVING TO WORK I GET THIS LOUD WHINING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE CAR LOSES ALL POWER THE TURBO WENT. I HAVE A NEW TURBO INSTALLED AND STILL SUPPOSEDLY NEED ANOTHER VVT JUST 2 YEARS AFTER THEY REPLACED THIS PART AND NOW THERE IS A HUMMING/WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR NOT TO MENTION (2) TIE RODS ARE BAD. THIS CAR IS NO DOUBT A PIECE OF CRAP THAT I STILL OWE 13K ON AND MAZDA CORPORATE WILL NOT EVEN RETURN MY CALL. THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE WITH ALL THE SAME COMPLAINTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521862

86,000 miles · May 20, 2013
Engine

FIRST THE TURBO WENT OUT AND NOW THE ENGINE!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10512763

76,100 miles · Mar 6, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion System

WHILE TRAVELING AT 45MPH, EXPERIENCED SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. CEL CAME ON AND TROUBLE P3001 WAS THE CODE DISPLAY ON HANDHELD READER. CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, DEALER STATES SEVERAL COMPONENTS WITHIN ENGINE HAVE FAILED AND MAZDA HAS NO RESPONSIBILITY OVER FAILURES SINCE I DO NOT HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PR…

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WHILE TRAVELING AT 45MPH, EXPERIENCED SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. CEL CAME ON AND TROUBLE P3001 WAS THE CODE DISPLAY ON HANDHELD READER. CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, DEALER STATES SEVERAL COMPONENTS WITHIN ENGINE HAVE FAILED AND MAZDA HAS NO RESPONSIBILITY OVER FAILURES SINCE I DO NOT HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM PRODUCTION YEARS 2007 AND 2008 ARE PLAGUED WITH PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10501868

54,000 miles · Feb 28, 2013
Engine

EARLIER THAT DAY I GOT MY OIL CHANGED ON MY LUNCH BREAK AT WORK. I DRIVE BACK TO WORK MY CAR SITS IN THE PARKING LOT AND I LEAVE A FEW HOURS LATER WELL MY CAR IT WAS MAKING A REALLY LOUD NOISE IT SOUNDED LIKE A HELICOPTER I LIVE ABOUT 30 MILES AWAY SO I FIGURED IF I DRIVE SLOW ENOUGH I MIGHT BE ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. AS I WAS GOI…

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EARLIER THAT DAY I GOT MY OIL CHANGED ON MY LUNCH BREAK AT WORK. I DRIVE BACK TO WORK MY CAR SITS IN THE PARKING LOT AND I LEAVE A FEW HOURS LATER WELL MY CAR IT WAS MAKING A REALLY LOUD NOISE IT SOUNDED LIKE A HELICOPTER I LIVE ABOUT 30 MILES AWAY SO I FIGURED IF I DRIVE SLOW ENOUGH I MIGHT BE ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. AS I WAS GOING UP A HILL THE CAR START TO DECELERATE SO IM LIKE OK MAYBE I NEED TO GO SLOWER NO I GET UP OVER THE HILL AND AM GOING DOWN THE HILL AND THE CAR JUST DIES THERE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I GET IT TOWED TO MAZDA THE NEXT DAY BECAUSE I FIND OUT I HAVE A POWERTRAIN WARRENTY UNTIL 60,000 MILES I ONLY HAVE 54,000 MILES ON IT SO THEY TOW IT UNDER MY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. NOW MY CAR HAS BEEN THERE FOR A MONTH AND COME TO FIND OUT MY TIMING CHAIN WENT ON IT CAUSING A DOMINO EFFECT ON IT AND MAKING THE ENGINE GO. NOW THE DEALERSHIP WANTS 8 GRAND TO FIX MY CAR BECAUSE MAZDA DENIED MY CLAIM DUE TO "ENGINE SLUDGE" WHICH AT THIS LOW OF MILES AND ME PERFORMING REGULAR OIL CHANGES THEY CONSIDERED "LACK OF MAINTANCE" BECAUSE I COULDNT PROVE IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500798

78,000 miles · Feb 20, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine

I PURCHASED THE 2008 MAZDA CX7 ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO AND ALREADY REPLACED THE COMPRESSOR I FIRST HAD WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT THE TAIL PIPE WELL I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT UNTIL SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT IS NOT NORMAL SO A WEEK LATER I STARTED HEARING NOISES LIKE A DIESEL TRUCK AND A KNOCKING NOISE SO THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO THE DEALERSH…

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I PURCHASED THE 2008 MAZDA CX7 ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO AND ALREADY REPLACED THE COMPRESSOR I FIRST HAD WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT THE TAIL PIPE WELL I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT UNTIL SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT IS NOT NORMAL SO A WEEK LATER I STARTED HEARING NOISES LIKE A DIESEL TRUCK AND A KNOCKING NOISE SO THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD ME THE VEHICLE AND WE DROVE THE VEHICLE AND HE STATED IT WAS FINE HE THEN DROVE AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP AND THEY TOLD ME THE COMPRESSOR LOCKED UP NOW I'M HEARING A TICKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AND THEY STATED IT WAS NORMAL BUT IT STILL CONCERNS ME CAUSE READING OTHER STATEMENT HAVE ME WORRIED THAT THE ENGINE VALVE WILL BE NEXT AND I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO REPAIR A VEHICLE I'M A SINGLE PARENT OF 4 KIDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499461

60,000 miles · Jan 26, 2013
Engine

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TOOK IT TO DEALER...EGR VALUE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED...WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. ABOUT $700 OR PART...WONDERING IF THERE IS RECALL ON PART. READING FORUM AND SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH OTHERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10494827

54,445 miles · Jan 22, 2013
Engine

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH DETERMINED THAT OIL SLUDGE WAS IN THE TURBO LINES. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TURBO MAL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH DETERMINED THAT OIL SLUDGE WAS IN THE TURBO LINES. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TURBO MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DID NOT STATE HOW THE OIL ENTERED THE TURBO LINES. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,445.

NHTSA ODI #10493773

39,640 miles · Jan 3, 2013
Engine

THE VEHICLE IS A 2008 MAZDA CX-7 BOUGHT AS A PRE-OWNED CERTIFIED FROM MAZDA DEALER IN RAMSEY, NJ. IT HAD THE ENGINE LIGHT ON AND I TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER NEAR MY WORK (COLMAR, PA) AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CODE P0401, EGR VALVE FAILURE. WITH UNDER 40K I WAS NOT EXPECTING THIS TO FAIL AND THE REPAIR COST WAS $718. (DIA…

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THE VEHICLE IS A 2008 MAZDA CX-7 BOUGHT AS A PRE-OWNED CERTIFIED FROM MAZDA DEALER IN RAMSEY, NJ. IT HAD THE ENGINE LIGHT ON AND I TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER NEAR MY WORK (COLMAR, PA) AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CODE P0401, EGR VALVE FAILURE. WITH UNDER 40K I WAS NOT EXPECTING THIS TO FAIL AND THE REPAIR COST WAS $718. (DIAGNOSIS, PARTS AND LABOR). I LOOKED UP ONLINE AND SAW THAT IT IS A FREQUENT ISSUE WITH PEOPLE HAVING MUCH NEWER CAR THAN MINE. OBVIOUSLY IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND I HAD TO PAY FROM MY POCKET. BUT I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH THE REPAIR AS THE NEXT DAY THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. IT COMES ON IN THE MORNING AND STAYS ON INTERMITTENTLY. IT FINALLY GOES AWAY AFTER 15-20 MINUTES OF DRIVING. I PLAN TO GO TO THE DEALER TOMORROW TO SEE IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT RESULTED DURING YESTERDAY'S REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490942

44,000 miles · Dec 28, 2012
Engine

PURCHASED VEHICLE USED AT 41,000 IN MAR 2012. FIRST ISSUE: EGR VALVE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 44,000 MILES IN MAY 2012, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ("NOT A CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS VEHICLE"). HAD 45,000 MILE SERVICE PERFORMED. DEALERSHIP SERVICE TECH ALSO PROVIDED SERVICE HISTORY FROM PREVIOUS OWNER AND VERIFIED IT WAS SERVICED REGU…

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PURCHASED VEHICLE USED AT 41,000 IN MAR 2012. FIRST ISSUE: EGR VALVE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 44,000 MILES IN MAY 2012, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ("NOT A CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS VEHICLE"). HAD 45,000 MILE SERVICE PERFORMED. DEALERSHIP SERVICE TECH ALSO PROVIDED SERVICE HISTORY FROM PREVIOUS OWNER AND VERIFIED IT WAS SERVICED REGULARLY. SERVICE TECH CONFIRMED THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY UNLESS IT WAS A CA EMISSION VEHICLE. ALSO NOT COVERED UNDER AUL EXTENDED WARRANTY PURCHASED WITH VEHICLE. COST: $750 TO REPLACE EGR. SECOND ISSUE: DEC 2012, 52,000 MILES, DRIVING FOR LESS THAN A MILE IN CONGESTED TRAFFIC AT 15-20MPH. VEHICLE BEGAN SPEWING WHITE SMOKE OUT OF EXHAUST. IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF ROAD, CALLED FOR TOW TRUCK. WAITED 3 HOURS WITH TWO CHILDREN UNDER 8... VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SAME DEALERSHIP FOR EVALUATION/REPAIR. I ASKED THEM TO EVALUATE TURBO, BASED ON WHITE SMOKE AND SLOW DRIVING/IDLE, AS CONSISTENT WITH OTHER KNOWN ISSUES. WAS INFORMED ENGINE MOUNT 3 FILLED WITH OIL, WHICH COATED UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE, CAUSING SMOKE. ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE COVERED UNDER 60,000 MILE FACTORY WARRANTY. SERVICE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THEY HAVEN'T SEEN THIS ISSUE BEFORE (HOWEVER, I SEE IT IN SEVERAL POSTS ONLINE). SERVICE TECHNICIAN COMMENTED I WAS LUCKY THAT THIS DID NOT RESULT IN A MORE CATASTROPHIC EVENT (FIRE, TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE). HE ALSO COMMENTED THERE IS "A LOT OF STRESS ON MOUNT #3" AND IT WAS HARD TO FIND THE REPLACEMENT PART. HE ACKNOWLEDGED TURBO ISSUES, BUT CLAIMS MY TURBO IS OKAY (FOR NOW). MAZDA NEEDS TO RECALL AND FIX THESE WELL KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED ENGINE ISSUES (EGR VALVE, ENGINE MOUNTS, TURBO CHARGERS, COMPRESSORS) BEFORE THERE IS FURTHER LOSS OF VEHICLES/LIFE. AT A MINIMUM, EXTEND THE WARRANTY TO COVER BEYOND 60,000 MILES WHEN SO MANY KNOWN ISSUES EXIST. IT WILL BE CHEAPER THAN THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT UNDERWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490293

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.