← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

191 reports
35,000 miles · Oct 17, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 25MPH WHEN I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. I PULLED OVER AND POPPED THE HOOD AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE AC COMPRESSOR. IT TURNS OUT THAT THIS IS COMMON FOR THIS MODEL. MAZDA EXTENDED THE WARRANTY BUT OF COURSE MINE EXPIRED THIS YEAR. IT'S JUST A SHAME THAT MY CAR HAS LESS THEN 40K MILES AND MAZDA HAS ACKNOWL…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 25MPH WHEN I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. I PULLED OVER AND POPPED THE HOOD AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE AC COMPRESSOR. IT TURNS OUT THAT THIS IS COMMON FOR THIS MODEL. MAZDA EXTENDED THE WARRANTY BUT OF COURSE MINE EXPIRED THIS YEAR. IT'S JUST A SHAME THAT MY CAR HAS LESS THEN 40K MILES AND MAZDA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS IS AN INFERIOR PART, BUT WONT HELP COVER THE COST. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS OF THIS PART FAILING AND BREAKING THE SERPENTINE BELT CAUSING THE CAR TO LOSE ALL POWER. THIS SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE A RECALL. IMAGINE THIS HAPPENING WHILE ON A HIGHWAY OR TURNING AT AN INTERSECTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10548262

59,000 miles · Oct 17, 2013
EngineExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

MAZDA GOT STUCK AND HAD NO POWER THE FIRST TIME SECOND TIME HAPPENED OCTOBER 9,2013 CAR KEPT SHUTTING OFF AND FINALLY COULD NOT MOVE. TURBO ONCE AGAIN TWICE IN 5 MONTHS AND I ONLY HAD THIS PRE-OWNED VEHICLE FOR 7 MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10548244

90,000 miles · Oct 4, 2013
Engine

THE OIL COOLER ABOVE THE FILTER IS LEAKING VERY BAD, AND I NEED TO REPLACE THE GASKET,BUT I HAD NO PRIOR LEAKS BEFORE AND IT WAS HARD TO START MY VEHICLE. YOU CAN'T JUST BUY THE GASKET FOR THE COOLER, UNLESS IT'S THE NEWER SILVER OIL COOLER, THE PART ALONE IS AT LEAST $400, BUT THERE SEEMS TO A FREQUENT ISSUE OF THIS WITH MANY O…

Read full complaint

THE OIL COOLER ABOVE THE FILTER IS LEAKING VERY BAD, AND I NEED TO REPLACE THE GASKET,BUT I HAD NO PRIOR LEAKS BEFORE AND IT WAS HARD TO START MY VEHICLE. YOU CAN'T JUST BUY THE GASKET FOR THE COOLER, UNLESS IT'S THE NEWER SILVER OIL COOLER, THE PART ALONE IS AT LEAST $400, BUT THERE SEEMS TO A FREQUENT ISSUE OF THIS WITH MANY OTHERS, ON THE 2008 MAZDA CX-7. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10546729

40,856 miles · Sep 16, 2013
Engine

TIMING CHAIN WENT OUT . MAZDA IS TRYING TO SAY IT SLUDGE FROM POOR MAINTENANCE . EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE ALL RECEIPTS SINCE WE OWNED IT FOR OIL CHANGES. WE JUST PURCHASE THIS CX7 IN AUGUST OF 2012 WITH ALMOST 28000 MILES. NOW A YEAR LATER AND 40000 MILES IT NEEDS A MOTOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10543952

28,600 miles · Jul 15, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling

AIR CONDITIONING BEGAN BLOWING HOT AIR. MANY COMPLAINTS LOGGED ONLINE FOR THIS YEAR VEHICLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS ISSUE. RECOMMENDATION WAS TO CONTACT MAZDA CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. THEY PROVIDED A FILE NUMBER AND INFORMED I NEEDED TO HAVE THE DEA…

Read full complaint

AIR CONDITIONING BEGAN BLOWING HOT AIR. MANY COMPLAINTS LOGGED ONLINE FOR THIS YEAR VEHICLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS ISSUE. RECOMMENDATION WAS TO CONTACT MAZDA CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. THEY PROVIDED A FILE NUMBER AND INFORMED I NEEDED TO HAVE THE DEALERSHIP CONFIRM THE ISSUE WAS THE COMPRESSOR. THE DEALERSHIP DID CONFIRM THE COMPRESSOR AND BELT NEED REPLACED. CONTACTED THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NUMBER BACK AND THE APPEAL/COMPLAIN PROCESS BEGAN TO SEE IF THEY WOULD PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN REPLACING THE COMPRESSOR AND BELT SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD JUST EXPIRED AND ONLY HAS 28,000 MILES. WAS INFORMED 2 DAYS LATER THAT THE DECISION WAS THAT THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE IT IS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. VERY DISCOURAGED THAT A CORPORATION WOULD NOT STAND BEHIND THEY VEHICLE UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE FACT THAT THEY KNOW THIS VEHICLE HAS THESE ISSUES. I COULD UNDERSTAND IF THE VEHICLE HAD 60,000 MILES BUT THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525029

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.…

Read full complaint

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 …

Read full complaint

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

75,400 miles · Apr 27, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT ON MY 2008 MAZDA CX-7 CRACKED, CAUSING THE PULLEY ASSEMBLY TO FREEZE UP. AS A RESULT, THE PULLEY NO LONGER TURNED ON THE SERPENTINE BELT AND MADE A LOUD NOISE, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO WORK. THE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT TO THE NEAREST MAZDA DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND ADVISED ME N…

Read full complaint

THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT ON MY 2008 MAZDA CX-7 CRACKED, CAUSING THE PULLEY ASSEMBLY TO FREEZE UP. AS A RESULT, THE PULLEY NO LONGER TURNED ON THE SERPENTINE BELT AND MADE A LOUD NOISE, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO WORK. THE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT TO THE NEAREST MAZDA DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR, OUT OF CONCERN THAT DAMAGE TO THE BELT MIGHT OCCUR. IN REVIEWING MY FILES LATER, I FOUND AN AUGUST 2010 NOTICE FROM MAZDA ADVISING ME THAT THE MODEL YEAR OF MY CAR MIGHT HAVE THIS PROBLEM, AND THAT THE WARRANTY COVERAGE WOULD BE EXTENDED TO 5 YEARS OR 60,000 MILES. IT FURTHER STATED THAT NO ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN UNLESS I WAS EXPERIENCING AN ISSUE WITH THIS COMPONENT OF MY CAR, WHICH I WASN'T AT THAT TIME. UNFORTUNATELY, MY PROBLEM DID NOT EMERGE UNTIL NOW, AND IS NOT COVERED BY THIS WARRANTY EXTENSION SINCE I NOW HAVE 75000 MILES ON MY CAR. HOWEVER, AIR CONDITIONER UNITS NORMALLY DO NOT FAIL ON CARS OF THIS AGE AND THE NOTICE FROM MAZDA MAKES IT CLEAR THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT MAZDA SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND COVER THE COST OF REPLACING THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT IN MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509797

99,000 miles · Mar 22, 2013
Power Train

SO THIS IS MY COMPLAINT AND STORY SO WE WENT TO FLORIDA LIKE A WEEK AND CAME BACK TO TEXAS. WHEN WE GOT BACK HOME I STARTED TO HEAR AN NOISE ON THE ENGINE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT WASN'T NORMAL IT SOUNDED LIKE A DIESEL TRUCK. SO THE NEXT DAY I HAD TO GO TO WORK AND I WAS COMING BACK HOME THE ENGINE LIGHT …

Read full complaint

SO THIS IS MY COMPLAINT AND STORY SO WE WENT TO FLORIDA LIKE A WEEK AND CAME BACK TO TEXAS. WHEN WE GOT BACK HOME I STARTED TO HEAR AN NOISE ON THE ENGINE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT WASN'T NORMAL IT SOUNDED LIKE A DIESEL TRUCK. SO THE NEXT DAY I HAD TO GO TO WORK AND I WAS COMING BACK HOME THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH CONTINUOUSLY AND CAR STARTED TO SHAKE SO I DROVE IT TO A AUTO PARTS STORE, SO THEY CAN CHECK THE CODE AND THEY SAID IT WAS A PISTON 3 MISFIRE. I TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AGAIN AND HE SAID THE SPARK PLUG HAD OIL AND HE SAID THAT WAS NOT A GOOD SIGN HE SAID IT MIGHT BE THE ENGINE OR A BENT VALVE. FIRST OF ALL THIS IS OUR ONLY CAR AND DON'T HAVE MONEY TO FIX IT. A USE ENGINE COST 3,000 AND UP AND IF ITS THE HEAD IT COST LIKE 1900 AND I'VE BEEN READING A LOT OF BAD REVIEWS OF THIS CAR I REALLY NEED HELP I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX MY CAR WE ARE A FAMILY OF 5. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504058

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.