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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.

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
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2009
Unknown Or Other

MY CAR IS A 2008 MAZDA CX-7 AND THIS SUMMER I BEGAN TO USE THE AC WHICH NEVER SEEMS TO COOL OFF MY CAR. IT BLOW COLD AIR BUT NOT VERY COLD AND I HAVE TO KEEP IT AT LEVEL 4 AND PUSH THE OTHER BUTTON THAT MAKES IT BLOW HARDER. WHICH I THINK IS THE CIRCULATION BUTTON. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO KEEP IT ON FULL BLAST AND WITH THE AC BUTTO…

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MY CAR IS A 2008 MAZDA CX-7 AND THIS SUMMER I BEGAN TO USE THE AC WHICH NEVER SEEMS TO COOL OFF MY CAR. IT BLOW COLD AIR BUT NOT VERY COLD AND I HAVE TO KEEP IT AT LEVEL 4 AND PUSH THE OTHER BUTTON THAT MAKES IT BLOW HARDER. WHICH I THINK IS THE CIRCULATION BUTTON. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO KEEP IT ON FULL BLAST AND WITH THE AC BUTTON AND THE ONE NEXT TO IT DEPRESSED ALL THE TIME TO COOL MY CAR OFF. I DON'T THINK IT IS RUNNING CORRECTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10278193

11,700 miles · Jul 21, 2009
Visibility

AIR CONDITIONING BLOWS HOT AIR A FEW TIMES A DAY. IT NEVER FULLY COOLS CAR. AT SOME TIMES IT STARTS BLOWING SO HOT THAT IT IS MORE COMFORTABLE TO TURN THE A/C OFF EVEN WHEN IT IS 105 DEGREES OUTSIDE! I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR INTO MAZDA OF ST. GEORGE, UTAH TWICE AND THEY PUT A THERMOMETER IN THE VENT, TELL ME IT'S COLD ENOUGH AND SEN…

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AIR CONDITIONING BLOWS HOT AIR A FEW TIMES A DAY. IT NEVER FULLY COOLS CAR. AT SOME TIMES IT STARTS BLOWING SO HOT THAT IT IS MORE COMFORTABLE TO TURN THE A/C OFF EVEN WHEN IT IS 105 DEGREES OUTSIDE! I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR INTO MAZDA OF ST. GEORGE, UTAH TWICE AND THEY PUT A THERMOMETER IN THE VENT, TELL ME IT'S COLD ENOUGH AND SEND ME ON MY WAY. THEY SAY THEY DON'T KNOW WHY IT BLOWS HOT AIR BUT THAT THE A/C SYSTEM IS WORKING NORMALLY. I HAVE LIVED IN THIS VERY HOT CLIMATE FOR A VERY LONG TIME AND HAVE OWNED MANY DIFFERENT CARS. ALL OF THEM WERE ABLE TO COOL DOWN THE CAR TO A COMFORTABLE TEMPERATURE EVEN IN OUR HOT AREA. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GETS ABOVE 100 TO 105 DEGREES THE CAR IS TOO UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE. IN FACT, MY WIFE WILL CHOOSE TO DRIVE MY TRUCK (AS OPPOSED TO HER '08 MAZDA) AS THE AIR CONDITIONER IN THE TRUCK ACTUALLY BLOWS COLD AIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10277666

42,000 miles · Jul 14, 2009
Equipment

AC COMPRESSOR SHAFT FAILURE AND FELL OFF. CAR WAS 18 MONTHS OLD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10276731

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

38,000 miles · Jun 21, 2009
Equipment

SUDDEN FAILURE OF AC CLUTCH. LOCKS UP AND BURNS. AFFECTS STEERING AND WILL DAMAGE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10274531

27,000 miles · Mar 25, 2009
Air BagsSeat Belts

ABS LIGHT ON DASH DISPLAY, DEALER ADVISED HAD TO ORDER A MODULE. STOPPED TO GET GAS WHILE I WAS OUT OF TOWN AND AIRBAG DEPLOYED SCARING MYSELF AND MY TWO PASSENGERS. I WAS THANK GOODNESS NOT IN VEHICLE. ONLY DRIVERSIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND SEATBELT TIGHTENED UP AND BROKE THE PLASTIC AROUND THE DOOR FRAME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10263020

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

15,000 miles · Mar 5, 2009
Tires

PREMATURE TREAD WEAR ON ALL 4 TIRES. TIRES NEEDED REPLACING AFTER 15,000 MILES. ONLY SLIGHT COOPERATION WITH MANUFACTURER. THEY OFFERED A DISCOUNT ON REPLACEMENT TIRES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10260885

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.