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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 And Engine Cooling complaints

40 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

MAZDA HAS A BULLETIN OUT TO MECHANICS ABOUT CX-7'D TIMING CHAIN. THE TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM COULD CEASE AN ENGINE ON A HIGHWAY AND CAUSE SAFTEY HAZARDS. MAZDA IS ALSO REFUSING REPAIRS ON MY TIMING CHAIN BECAUSE I CANNOT PRODUCE THE PAPERWORK FOR MY OIL CHANGES. I EVEN HAVE A 70,000 MILE WARRANTY WHICH WAS EXTENDED BECAUSE OF THE T…

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MAZDA HAS A BULLETIN OUT TO MECHANICS ABOUT CX-7'D TIMING CHAIN. THE TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM COULD CEASE AN ENGINE ON A HIGHWAY AND CAUSE SAFTEY HAZARDS. MAZDA IS ALSO REFUSING REPAIRS ON MY TIMING CHAIN BECAUSE I CANNOT PRODUCE THE PAPERWORK FOR MY OIL CHANGES. I EVEN HAVE A 70,000 MILE WARRANTY WHICH WAS EXTENDED BECAUSE OF THE TIMING CHAIN PROBLEMS. I EVEN CALLED MY BANK TO GET STATEMENTS PROVING PAYMENT IN THE SAME AMOUNT FOR THE PLACE I GET MY OIL CHANGES DONE, WHICH MAZDA HAS A COUPLE COPIES OF, BUT THEY REFUSED BANK STATEMENTS. THIS IS HORRIBLE BUSINESS PRACTICE AND US, CONSUMERS SHOULD BE PROTECTED AGAINST THIS. MY CAR HAS 65,000 MILES AND I'M STILL MAKING CAR PAYMENTS. I CAN GUARENTEE I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER MAZDA AND WILL TELL EVERYONE I KNNOW AND POST IT ON EVERY SITE I CAN. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10444640

62,636 miles · Jan 5, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingWheels

ONE MORNING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURN ON, THE COMPUTER CODE CAME BACK AS EGR VAL,I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR OVER 3YRS THIS IS A PRICEY PART, I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCE THIS AS SOON AS THEY REACH THE 62K MILES THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I HOPE THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH A NOISE THAT THE ENGINE HAVE EV…

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ONE MORNING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURN ON, THE COMPUTER CODE CAME BACK AS EGR VAL,I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR OVER 3YRS THIS IS A PRICEY PART, I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCE THIS AS SOON AS THEY REACH THE 62K MILES THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I HOPE THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH A NOISE THAT THE ENGINE HAVE EVER SINCE O BOUGHT IT WHICH THE SAID IT WAS NORMAL... AS PER THE TIRES I HAD TO REPLACE THEM AS SOON AS I REACHED THE 1 YR, NEVER WILL I BUY A MAZDA AGAIN.... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10442596

37,437 miles · Nov 30, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. TURNS OUT THE TIMING CHAIN, GASKETS, LOCK, AND BOLT, OIL PAN GASKET, AND EGR VALVE NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 37,437 MILES ON IT. TO HAVE MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEMS IS RIDICULOUSLY UNSAFE. MAZDA HAS MANY CASES WITH THESE SAME ISSUES AND YET HAS NOT ISSUED A…

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THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. TURNS OUT THE TIMING CHAIN, GASKETS, LOCK, AND BOLT, OIL PAN GASKET, AND EGR VALVE NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 37,437 MILES ON IT. TO HAVE MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEMS IS RIDICULOUSLY UNSAFE. MAZDA HAS MANY CASES WITH THESE SAME ISSUES AND YET HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. EVEN WITH THE WARRANTY COVERING ENGINE PARTS/LABOR IT'S ABSURD! THEY NEED TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR SELLING LEMONS TO THE PUBLIC. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10437867

61,000 miles · Nov 9, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR CLOSE TO HOME AND I WAS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 30 MPH. I HEARD A FEW TAPS AND THEN TURNED OFF THE HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING. AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY, THE NOISE RESUMED AND A BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL STARTED AND ACTUALLY THE SMELL REMAINED THE ENTIRE NIGHT. I HAD IT TOWED THE NEXT DAY TO MY LOCA…

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I WAS DRIVING MY CAR CLOSE TO HOME AND I WAS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 30 MPH. I HEARD A FEW TAPS AND THEN TURNED OFF THE HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING. AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY, THE NOISE RESUMED AND A BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL STARTED AND ACTUALLY THE SMELL REMAINED THE ENTIRE NIGHT. I HAD IT TOWED THE NEXT DAY TO MY LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR PLACE AND AS IT CURRENTLY STANDS THE CLUTCH BURNED UP IN THE COMPRESSOR AND THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, RUSSEL, IN BALTIMORE AND ASKED IF THERE HAD BEEN THESE PROBLEMS AND I WAS TOLD NO. I HAVE SINCE READ MANY STORIES THAT ARE ABOUT THE SAME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434963

59,600 miles · Oct 30, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

I WAS TRAVELING IN VALENCIA ON THE 5 FREEWAY AND THE INTERIOR OF MY 2008 MAZDA CX-7 FILLED WITH SMOKE TO THE POINT WHERE I FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. I PULLED TO THE EXIT (MAGIC MOUNTAIN PKWY) AND PULLED TO THE SIDE TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES I LIFTED THE HOOD TO FIND THAT THE ENGINE WAS STILL SMOKING AROUN…

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I WAS TRAVELING IN VALENCIA ON THE 5 FREEWAY AND THE INTERIOR OF MY 2008 MAZDA CX-7 FILLED WITH SMOKE TO THE POINT WHERE I FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. I PULLED TO THE EXIT (MAGIC MOUNTAIN PKWY) AND PULLED TO THE SIDE TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES I LIFTED THE HOOD TO FIND THAT THE ENGINE WAS STILL SMOKING AROUND THE BELT AREA. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO FIRESTONE NEWHALL, CA WHERE THEY ARE STILL LOOKING AT IT. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE AC COMPRESSOR SEIZED CAUSING THE BELT TO FIRE AND ALMOST CATCH FIRE. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10433579

61,996 miles · Oct 23, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2011 OUR 2008 MAZDA CX-7 EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY: THE ENGINE HAD NOT PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS OR MADE ANY UNUSUAL NOISES, NO INDICATOR LIGHTS HAD SIGNALED A PROBLEM, AND WE HAD MADE OIL AND OIL FILTER CHANGES IN ACCOR…

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ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2011 OUR 2008 MAZDA CX-7 EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY: THE ENGINE HAD NOT PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS OR MADE ANY UNUSUAL NOISES, NO INDICATOR LIGHTS HAD SIGNALED A PROBLEM, AND WE HAD MADE OIL AND OIL FILTER CHANGES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. THE FAILURE CREATED AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AS THE CAR LOST POWER AND THIS MEANT THAT SEVERAL CRITICAL FUNCTIONS, MOST NOTABLY, THE STEERING, WERE SEVERELY COMPROMISED; THE DRIVER ONLY JUST MANAGED TO BRING THE CAR TO A SAFE STOP. THE MAZDA SERVICE CENTER EXAMINED THE ENGINE OF THE CAR ON SEPTEMBER 26 AND REPORTED THAT THE PISTON IN THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER HAD FAILED DAMAGING THE ENGINE BEYOND REPAIR. THE SERVICE MANAGER VERIFIED OUR MAINTENANCE RECORDS AND INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FREE OF SLUDGE OR OTHER BUILD UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10432523

11,000 miles · Oct 20, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

PURCHASED MY 2008 MAZDA CX7 BRAND NEW 12/08/2008. STARTED NOTICING WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPES WHILE IDLING AND I LIVED IN SOUTH FLORIDA AT THE TIME. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE CAR WAS LEAKING OIL AND THEY WANTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM BY PUTTING IN OIL THAT WOULD COST OVER $100 PER OIL CHANGE. AFTER PUTTING IN THE OIL …

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PURCHASED MY 2008 MAZDA CX7 BRAND NEW 12/08/2008. STARTED NOTICING WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPES WHILE IDLING AND I LIVED IN SOUTH FLORIDA AT THE TIME. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE CAR WAS LEAKING OIL AND THEY WANTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM BY PUTTING IN OIL THAT WOULD COST OVER $100 PER OIL CHANGE. AFTER PUTTING IN THE OIL THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND THEY THEN STATED THAT THE ONLY FIX WOULD BE TO REPLACE THE TURBO AND THAT I HAD TO CONTACT CORPORATE TO GET IT FIXED. AFTER SPEAKING WITH CORPORATE THE TURBO WAS REPLACED, BUT I AM NOW HAVING WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR AGAIN AND I AM AT 45,500 MILES. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT I SEE LISTED OFTEN ON THIS SITE AND WITH SOME CARS STARTING ON FIRE. I HOPE THAT WOULD NOT HAPPEN, BUT IF MAZDA HAS CHANGED THE TURBO DUE TO THIS PROBLEM IN NEWER MODELS A RECALL SHOULD BE LOOKED AT TO KEEP THE PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10432196

45,900 miles · Sep 16, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE EGR VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE EGR VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

NHTSA ODI #10425767

28,000 miles · Apr 16, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2008 CX-7 WITH A FAILED EGR VALVE. THEY REFUSE TO COVER THIS PART UNDER MY POWER-TRAIN WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THIS IS CLEARLY AN EMISSIONS FAILURE. I HAVE BEEN DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY'S WEBSITE AND IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS ARE REQUIRED TO DESIGN AND BUILD T…

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I HAVE A 2008 CX-7 WITH A FAILED EGR VALVE. THEY REFUSE TO COVER THIS PART UNDER MY POWER-TRAIN WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THIS IS CLEARLY AN EMISSIONS FAILURE. I HAVE BEEN DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY'S WEBSITE AND IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS ARE REQUIRED TO DESIGN AND BUILD THEIR VEHICLES TO MEET EMISSION STANDARDS FOR THE USEFUL LIFE OF THE VEHICLE SPECIFIED BY LAW. UNDER SECTION 207 OF THE CLEAN AIR ACT, IF EPA DETERMINES THAT A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF VEHICLES IN A CLASS OR CATEGORY DO NOT MEET EMISSION STANDARDS IN ACTUAL USE EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND USED, EPA CAN REQUIRE THE MANUFACTURER TO RECALL AND FIX THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. MY CAR HAS LESS THEN 30,000 MILE ON IT AND THE ERG VALVE SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT ALREADY. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY $712 TO REPLACE A PART THAT DOES NOT MEET EMISSION STANDARDS SET FORTH BY CALIFORNIA. IT IS NOT JUST MY VEHICLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM, THE MORE RESEARCH I DO THE MORE I REALIZE THAT THIS AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH MULTIPLE MAZDA CONSUMERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10396079

42,000 miles · Dec 29, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON IN MY 2008 MAZDA CX-9. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THE EGR VALVE HAS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO IT BEING WARN OUT. MAZDA STATES THIS PART DOES NOT FALL UNDER EMISSIONS WARRANTY. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MAZDA'S AND I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD B…

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MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON IN MY 2008 MAZDA CX-9. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THE EGR VALVE HAS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO IT BEING WARN OUT. MAZDA STATES THIS PART DOES NOT FALL UNDER EMISSIONS WARRANTY. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MAZDA'S AND I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD BE PAYING $1200.00 TO FIX A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD. MAZDA HAS BEEN NO HELP JUST TRYING EXTORT MONEY FROM CONSUMERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373331

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.