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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

Power Train complaints

14 reports
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40,900 miles · Jan 25, 2011
Power Train

2008 MAZDA CX-7WITH 40,925 MILES. AM DISABLED, RETIRED MILITARY SO TO SAVE MONEY I PEFORM OWN OIL CHANGES APPROXIMATELY EVERY 5000 TO 7500 MILES DEPENDING ON DRIVING CONDITIONS. ALWAS NEED TO ADD OIL IN BETWEEN CHANGES THOUGH NO LEAK FOUND. WAS TOLD BY MAZDA SERVICE WITHIN FIRST 6 MONTHS OF OWNING THIS VEHICLES THAT THE TURBO…

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2008 MAZDA CX-7WITH 40,925 MILES. AM DISABLED, RETIRED MILITARY SO TO SAVE MONEY I PEFORM OWN OIL CHANGES APPROXIMATELY EVERY 5000 TO 7500 MILES DEPENDING ON DRIVING CONDITIONS. ALWAS NEED TO ADD OIL IN BETWEEN CHANGES THOUGH NO LEAK FOUND. WAS TOLD BY MAZDA SERVICE WITHIN FIRST 6 MONTHS OF OWNING THIS VEHICLES THAT THE TURBO GETS EXTREMELY HOT AND BURNS OFF OIL. JUST BEFORE MILEAGE STATED ABOVE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND ENGINE LOST POWER. NO OTHER INDICATIONS LEADING UP TO THIS. HANDHELDOBCD-II COMPUTER CHECK SHOWED CODE P0101 (MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR). CHECKED CX-7 ON-LINE FORUMS AND IN LESS THAN 1/2 AN HOUR FOUND OVER 25 COMPLAINTS (STOPPED SEARCHING AT THIS POINT) WITH SAME PROBLEM I HAVE. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THE OUTCOMES WERE SCARY. AS PER SEVERAL FORUMS, MAZDA TELLS CUSTOMERS, AS I WAS ALSO TOLD, THAT THE TURBO AND BEARINGS BAD, SAID SLUDGE IN ENGINE BREACHES WARRANTY DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE PROOF AND DENIES TO HONOR WARRANTY. SAY CAR NEEDS A REBUILT OR NEW ENGINE AND TURBO INSTALLED AND I MUST PAY $7K - $9K FOR A REBUILT ENGINE. NOW OWE OVER $18K ON A CAR THAT SHOULD HAVE A RECALL DONE ON IT FOR THIS PROBLEM. SPOKE WIH MAZDA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AD THEY TOLD ME THAT THE DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER'S (DSM) DECISION IS FINAL, AND NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO HELP ME. THEN ASKED MY DEALER FOR DSM PHONE NUMBER AND WAS TOLD THEY CAN'T LET ME HAVE IT, BUT SAID HE WAS GOING TO BE AT THEIR DEALERSHIP THAT DAY TO VERIFY ANOTHER WARRANTY CLAIM DENIAL AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE HIM CALL ME. FILED ON-LINE COMPLAINT WITH BBB AND AM AWAIING INFO FROM THEM TO DISCUSS MEDIATION AND IF THAT FAILS ARBITRATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10378620

60,000 miles · Dec 16, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

2008 MAZDA CX 7 GRAND TOURING - PURCHASED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE FROM A CERTIFIED MAZDA DEALER IN OCTOBER 2008, HAD A LOUD ENGINE SOUND AND DEALER ADVISED THIS WAS "NORMAL", JUST BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRATION FOUND THAT TRANSMISSION SEAL WAS BAD AND REPLACED THIS AS WELL AS THE RECALLED COMPRESSOR. NOW AT 64K AND NOISE IN ENGINE IS GET…

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2008 MAZDA CX 7 GRAND TOURING - PURCHASED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE FROM A CERTIFIED MAZDA DEALER IN OCTOBER 2008, HAD A LOUD ENGINE SOUND AND DEALER ADVISED THIS WAS "NORMAL", JUST BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRATION FOUND THAT TRANSMISSION SEAL WAS BAD AND REPLACED THIS AS WELL AS THE RECALLED COMPRESSOR. NOW AT 64K AND NOISE IN ENGINE IS GETTING WORSE AND IT IS IN FACT THE TIMING CHAIN LAPPING. FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THE CHAIN BREAK LEAVING THEM STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. ALSO FOUND THAT THE ENTIRE CASING AND THE TENSIONING BELT/MECHANISM IS FAILING. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND I AM SURPRISED THAT NO ONE HAS RECALLED THIS, IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THE 07 MODEL AS WELL. WILL REQUEST OLD PARTS BE KEPT. CURRENTLY BEING WORKED ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10370952

79,000 miles · Jul 10, 2010
Power Train

I PURCHASED MY 2008 MAZDA CX7 NEW FROM JAKE SWEENEY MAZDA IN CINTI, OH. I HAD NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT UNTIL THIS INCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING FOR WORK FROM CINTI, OH TO CLARKSBURG, WV. 20 MINUTES INTO MY DRIVE, THE AC WENT OUT. THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF A BELT BURNING. I TURNED THE AIR OFF, PUT THE WINDOWS DOWN AND CONTIN…

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I PURCHASED MY 2008 MAZDA CX7 NEW FROM JAKE SWEENEY MAZDA IN CINTI, OH. I HAD NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT UNTIL THIS INCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING FOR WORK FROM CINTI, OH TO CLARKSBURG, WV. 20 MINUTES INTO MY DRIVE, THE AC WENT OUT. THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF A BELT BURNING. I TURNED THE AIR OFF, PUT THE WINDOWS DOWN AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITHOUT AC. THREE HOURS LATER, THE CAR STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND GET IT STARTED AGAIN. I DROVE TO THE NEAREST REPAIR SHOP I COULD FIND. THEY TOLD ME THE DRIVETRAIN HAD GONE BAD AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED MAZDA AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS OUT OF THE 5 YR/60,000 MILE WARRANTY SINCE THE CAR HAS 79,000 MILES ON IT. I COULD PAY TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE CLOSEST MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC DONE TO SEE IF THEY WOULD CONSIDER HONORING THE WARRANTY. THIS WOULD NOT BE APPLIED TO ANY NEEDED REPAIRS. I OPTED TO LEAVE IT AT THE REPAIR SHOP. THEY ARE ORDERING THE PART WHICH WILL TAKE A WEEK TO GET. I HAD TO RENT A CAR TO GET BACK HOME AND WILL HAVE TO DRIVE BACK TO WV TO GET MY CAR. I REALIZE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT HAVING THE DRIVETRAIN GO OUT AFTER ONLY TWO YEARS AND 79 ,000 MILES IS TERRIBLE QUALITY. I HAVE LEASED NEW CARS ALL MY LIFE AND HAVE NEVER HAD ONE HAVE A PROBLEM THIS MAJOR AFTER ONLY TWO AND HALF YEARS. I WON'T BE BUYING ANOTHER MAZDA AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342376

700 miles · Aug 15, 2008
Electrical SystemPower TrainCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. WHEN HE PLACED THE GEAR INTO PARK, IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALL OF THE VEHICLES DO NOT LOCK IN PARK AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE GEAR SHIFT MOVES WHILE THE ENGINE IS ON AND THE VEHICLE IS IN PA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. WHEN HE PLACED THE GEAR INTO PARK, IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALL OF THE VEHICLES DO NOT LOCK IN PARK AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE GEAR SHIFT MOVES WHILE THE ENGINE IS ON AND THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK. THE CONTACT HAS OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR THREE WEEKS. ANOTHER DRIVER EXITED THEIR VEHICLE AND THOUGHT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AFTER SHE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE GEAR FAILED TO LOCK INTO PLACE AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS ABNORMAL, BUT ALL OF THE VEHICLES OPERATE IN THAT MANNER AND THERE MAY BE A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE CONTACT AND SERVICE MANAGER ALSO OBSERVED SEVERAL VEHICLES THAT WERE DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER. THE CONTACT IS ALSO WAITING ON A DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER TO CALL HIM BACK. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE OWNER'S MANUAL DID NOT INDICATE THAT THERE MAY BE DIFFICULTY WITH THE GEAR SHIFT. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE REAR END BUMPER AND TAILGATE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 700 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 760. UPDATED 09/10/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/11/08.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10238380

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.