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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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39,203 miles · Jun 16, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS DRIVING TO MY DESTINATION WHEN THE A/C STOPPED WORKING AND I SMELLED/SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH MY VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR COMPRESSOR WAS LOCKED UP AND THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT A FEW DAYS FOR A REPLACEMENT PART OR DRIVE HOME WITHOUT THE A/C IN 90+ DEGREE…

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I WAS DRIVING TO MY DESTINATION WHEN THE A/C STOPPED WORKING AND I SMELLED/SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH MY VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR COMPRESSOR WAS LOCKED UP AND THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT A FEW DAYS FOR A REPLACEMENT PART OR DRIVE HOME WITHOUT THE A/C IN 90+ DEGREE HEAT. REMEDY, REPLACED AIR COMPRESSOR AT A COST OF $957.43 AND BY THE WAY THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 39203 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10336652

47,800 miles · Feb 22, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 MAZDA CX-7 FROM BAYTOWN, TEXAS TO KILLEEN, TEXAS WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED WORKING. APPROXIMATELY 3-5 MILES LATER WHITE SMOKE BILLOWED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND MY STEERING LOCKED. BECAUSE THERE WAS NO SUITABLE TERRAIN ON THE RIGHT AND BECAUSE I WAS STEERING AROUND A RIGHT-TURN, I WAS…

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 MAZDA CX-7 FROM BAYTOWN, TEXAS TO KILLEEN, TEXAS WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED WORKING. APPROXIMATELY 3-5 MILES LATER WHITE SMOKE BILLOWED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND MY STEERING LOCKED. BECAUSE THERE WAS NO SUITABLE TERRAIN ON THE RIGHT AND BECAUSE I WAS STEERING AROUND A RIGHT-TURN, I WAS FORCED TO PULL TO THE LEFT. BECAUSE OF THE SMOKE AND THE DISTRACTION CAUSED BY THE INCIDENT, I DID NOT REALIZE THAT THERE WAS A SEMI-TRUCK HEADING TOWARDS ME IN THE OTHER LANE. IF IT WASN'T FOR THE ADEPT HANDLING OF THE TRUCK DRIVE, I WOULD HAVE SURELY GONE HEAD ON AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I WAS TOWED TO BRYAN, TEXAS WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AFTER A WHOLE DAY IN THE SHOP. THEY REPAIRED THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR, AN ENGINE MOUNT, A PULLEY I BELIEVE AND SOME OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS TO THE TUNE OF OVER $1,400. I WAS EXTREMELY UPSET WHEN I FOUND OUT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM...ONE THAT NEARLY CAUSED ME MY LIFE. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN THAT DRIVE WITH ME EXTREMELY FREQUENTLY AND I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT NOTHING S BEING DONE ABOUT MAZDA PLACING PEOPLE IN DANGER LIKE THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10312903

29,000 miles · Dec 28, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

SUDDEN AC CLUTCH/COMPRESSOR FAILURE WITH 29000 MILES ON VEHICLE. DIDN'T NOTICE UNTIL WE STOPPED AT A SCENIC OVERLOOK OFF I 75 IN TN AND HAD HEAVY WHITE SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD W/ A GRINDING BEARING NOISE. REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOT SURE IF W/ AN UPDATED PART(S). RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM W/ THI…

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SUDDEN AC CLUTCH/COMPRESSOR FAILURE WITH 29000 MILES ON VEHICLE. DIDN'T NOTICE UNTIL WE STOPPED AT A SCENIC OVERLOOK OFF I 75 IN TN AND HAD HEAVY WHITE SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD W/ A GRINDING BEARING NOISE. REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOT SURE IF W/ AN UPDATED PART(S). RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM W/ THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10297149

42,000 miles · Dec 7, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX7. WHILE DRIVING BLACK SMOKE WAS EXPELLED THROUGH THE VENTS OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING CLUTCH AND BELT HAD FAILED. HE THEN ADDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. HOWEVER,THE ESTIMATED COST FOR T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX7. WHILE DRIVING BLACK SMOKE WAS EXPELLED THROUGH THE VENTS OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING CLUTCH AND BELT HAD FAILED. HE THEN ADDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. HOWEVER,THE ESTIMATED COST FOR THE REPAIR WAS $1,243.00. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A REPORT, AND A REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THEY WOULD ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 42,000.

NHTSA ODI #10294783

42,000 miles · Oct 21, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

2008 MAZDA CX-7 A/C COMPRESSOR FAILURE SENDING SPARKS OUT FROM UNIT, INSIDE ENGINE BAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10289287

17,500 miles · Oct 16, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

MAZDA USING THE WRONG OIL. RECENTLY HAD THE OIL CHANGED IN MY 2008 MAZDA CX-7. WHEN I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT THE CAR SMOKED LIKE CRAZY. THEY SAID THEY WERE USING THE WRONG OIL SO THEY REPLACED IT WITH 5W-30 INSTEAD OF 5W-20. THEN CAR CONTINUED TO SMOKE. SO NEXT DAY THEY PUT 5W-40 IN IT. THE OIL IS LEAKING INTO THE TURBO CREA…

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MAZDA USING THE WRONG OIL. RECENTLY HAD THE OIL CHANGED IN MY 2008 MAZDA CX-7. WHEN I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT THE CAR SMOKED LIKE CRAZY. THEY SAID THEY WERE USING THE WRONG OIL SO THEY REPLACED IT WITH 5W-30 INSTEAD OF 5W-20. THEN CAR CONTINUED TO SMOKE. SO NEXT DAY THEY PUT 5W-40 IN IT. THE OIL IS LEAKING INTO THE TURBO CREATING A FIRE HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10288700

14,586 miles · Jul 27, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

2008 MAZDA CX7, A/C COMPRESSOR LOCKED UP,BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW FROM DEALER AND ONLY AT 14,500 MILES IT LOCKS UP ON ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10278376

56,000 miles · Jun 26, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

ON 6/17/09, MY 2008 MAZDA CX-7 ERUPTED IN SMOKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH MY 1 & 3 YEAR OLD. I WAS TERRIFIED IT WOULD CATCH ON FIRE & LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO GET MY BOYS AND I OUT SAFELY OFF THE FREEWAY. HERZOG MEIER MAZDA IN BEAVERTON, OR CONFIRMED IT WAS THE AC COMPRESSOR THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BREAK DOWN. THE ESTIMATE TO FIX W…

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ON 6/17/09, MY 2008 MAZDA CX-7 ERUPTED IN SMOKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH MY 1 & 3 YEAR OLD. I WAS TERRIFIED IT WOULD CATCH ON FIRE & LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO GET MY BOYS AND I OUT SAFELY OFF THE FREEWAY. HERZOG MEIER MAZDA IN BEAVERTON, OR CONFIRMED IT WAS THE AC COMPRESSOR THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BREAK DOWN. THE ESTIMATE TO FIX WAS $2400. I DECIDED TO GO ONLINE & DO RESEARCH. I WAS OUTRAGED BY WHAT I DISCOVERED. THERE ARE ENDLESS AMOUNTS OF CX7 OWNERS WHO ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE A/C COMPRESSOR MOST WITH LESS MILEAGE THAN MY VEHICLE. I CALLED MAZDA TO FILE A COMPLAINT TODAY. MAZDA SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ERROR & DO A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275054

10,408 miles · Jun 24, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

PURCHASED VEHICLE IN 1/2008. 2008 MAZDA CX-7 WE TOOK A TRIP FROM SALT LAKE CITY, UT TO LAS VEGAS, NV THE WEEKEND OF MAY 1-3, 208. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, ALONG WITH THE AT LIGHT WHEN WE CLIMBED ANY SORT OF A HILL ON I-15 I MADE AN APPOINTMENT ON MAY 4TH THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP (D. DAHLE MAZDA SALT LAKE CITY) DID THE REPA…

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PURCHASED VEHICLE IN 1/2008. 2008 MAZDA CX-7 WE TOOK A TRIP FROM SALT LAKE CITY, UT TO LAS VEGAS, NV THE WEEKEND OF MAY 1-3, 208. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, ALONG WITH THE AT LIGHT WHEN WE CLIMBED ANY SORT OF A HILL ON I-15 I MADE AN APPOINTMENT ON MAY 4TH THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP (D. DAHLE MAZDA SALT LAKE CITY) DID THE REPAIRS WHEN I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE, TRANSMISSION WAS REPROGRAMMED BECAUSE THE SHIFT POINTS WERE NOT CORRECT. MILEAGE OUT WAS 10408 ON 5/18/09 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON I-15 WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE AND AT LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN JUST NORTH OF MILE MARKER 185. SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE VENTS WHEN SHE PULLEDOVER. WITNESSES RAN UP TO THE CAR YELLING FOR HER TO GET OUT, THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. DRIVERS AREA WAS FULLY ENGULFED. ALTHOUGH SHE WAS NOT INJURED (THANK GOD) IT WAS A NARROW ESCAPE ACCORDING TO WITNESSES CONTACTED MAZDA ROAD SIDE SERVICE THEY CONTACTED STEELE TOWING. FLAGGED DOWN TWO SEMI DRIVERS, THEY GOT OUT THERE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND DISCHARGED THEM THE VEHICLE BECAME FULLY ENGULFED, AND ENDED UP HAVING AN EXPLOSION UHP ARRIVED ON SCENE (TROOPER DEREK SPENCER BADGE # 341 ) LOCAL FIRE ARRIVED. TWO FIRE TRUCKS ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO STEELE TOWING IN NEPHI, UT MET STEELE TOWING AT 8:00 A.M. NEXT MORNING BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO D. DAHLE MAZDA IN SALT LAKE CITY CLOSE TO 200 PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE VEHICLE AND SPOKE WITH THE TOWING COMPANY. CONTACTED ROB MEYER GENERAL MANAGER DURING OUR DRIVE HOME. ALL HE WOULD SAY TO US IS 'TO CONTACT OUR INSURANCE COMPANY'. THIS IS NOT AN INSURANCE ISSUE. THIS IS A FAULTY VEHICLE, A DEALERSHIP, AND AUTO MANUFACTURER THAT WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY AND KEEPS DIRECTING US TO CONTACT OUR INSURANCE COMPANY. I DO NOT WANT TO SEE THIS HAPPEN TO ANOTHER PERSON.. THIS IS OF GREAT CONCERN TOWARDS CONSUMERS, VEHICLE SAFETY AND THE UNWILLINGNESS OF THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARD THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC. MUCH MORE DOCUMENTATION, PHOTOGRAPHS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10274837

Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW FROM A MAZDA DEALER. FROM THE TIME WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I HAVE NOTICED EXCESSIVE CARBON BUILDUP AROUND THE EXHAUST OPENINGS AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ARE GETTING RED HOT. THE CHROME EXHAUST TIPS ARE NOW DISCOLORED …

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WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW FROM A MAZDA DEALER. FROM THE TIME WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I HAVE NOTICED EXCESSIVE CARBON BUILDUP AROUND THE EXHAUST OPENINGS AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ARE GETTING RED HOT. THE CHROME EXHAUST TIPS ARE NOW DISCOLORED DUE TO THE HEAT. THIS VEHICLE WAS CHECKED SEVERAL DAYS AFTER PURCHASE, WHERE ACCORDING TO THE MAZDA DEALER, THERE WERE NO ISSUES. WE MOVED, AND A NEW MAZDA DEALER IS SERVICING THE VEHICLE. TODAY, 03-18-09 IT WAS AGAIN CHECKED DIAGNOSTICIANS WITH NO ISSUES. WHEN THIS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES OR MORE THE EXHAUST SYSTEM GETS EXTREMELY HOT. IT IS THIS "LAYMAN'S OPINION" THAT THIS ENGINE IS RUNNING VERY RICH, "STARVING FOR AIR". I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL EVENTUALLY CATCH FIRE FROM THE EXCESSIVE HEAT GENERATED AT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND TRANSMITTED THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. (LAST TRIP BACK FROM PHILA AREA WAS 03-11-09...I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT PARKING IT IN THE GARAGE UNTIL IT COOLED DOWN). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10262364

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.