2008 Mazda CX-7

Do not drive

Owners filed 191 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 5 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

127 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 40,00050,000 miles; the median is 61,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags49
202
Engine38
010
Engine and Engine Cooling24
030
Suspension14
000
Exterior Lighting9
010
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System6
020
Electrical System6
110
Unknown or Other5
000
Power Train5
000
Steering4
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module19V782000Do not drive
Filed Oct 31, 201969,879 vehiclesMazda North American Operations

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module17V457000Do not drive
Filed Jul 18, 201779,402 vehiclesMazda North American Operations

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module17V429000Do not drive
Filed Jun 29, 2017205,377 vehiclesMazda North American Operations

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint16V593000
Filed Aug 11, 2016190,102 vehiclesMazda North American Operations

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Equipment09E011000
Filed Apr 2, 20092,323 vehiclesThule, Inc.

Defect. THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS.

Risk. THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. THULE WILL MAIL A RETRO FIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THULE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-238-2388.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air BagsCrash
Filed Dec 30, 2021NC

NHTSA Campaign ID : 09E011000 Mfg's Report Date : MAR 31, 2009 Component : EQUIPMENT Potential Number Of Units Affected : 2323 Summary : THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS. Consequence : THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Remedy : THULE WILL MAIL A RETRO FIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THULE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-238-2388. Notes : THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO THULE AFTERMARKET ROOF MOUNTED LOAD CARRIERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Dec 24, 2020126,000 milesGA

CAR HAD BEEN SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR 2 FULL DAYS WITH NO USE. I WALKED OUTSIDE TO PLACE TRASH IN TRASH BIN AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE DRIVERS DOOR. I QUICKLY RAN INSIDE, GRABBED FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUT OUT THE FIRE.IT LOOKS LIKE THE FIRE ORIGINATED AT THE WINDOW MOTOR OR THE WINDOW SWITCH PANEL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR.

Engine
Filed Dec 20, 20201,212,300 milesNC

I ALREADY HAVE A COMPLAINT BUT I FORGOT TO ADD THAT MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND WON'T COME OFF ALONG WITH MY ENGINE LIGHT IT WON'T EVEN CRANK SINCE WE BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY BECAUSE IDH THE MONEY TO GET IT FIXED AND TRYING TO ASK FOR A RIDE EVERYDAY! THANK YOU SO MUCH

Engine
Filed Dec 9, 2020122,984 milesNC

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY I HEAR A LOUD NOISE SOUNDED LIKE I WAS IN A BIG RIG TRUCK THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED TO OVERHEAT B4 I COULD PULL OFF OF HIGHWAY IT CUT OFF RIGHT IN THE HIGHWAY I HAD MY GRANDSON WITH ME AND THANK GOODNESS THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC OR WE PROBABLY WOULD'VE BEEN DEAD

Air Bags
Filed Oct 12, 2020CA

I DID RECEIVE 2 AIRBAG RECALLS ,I DID VISIT MAZDA DEALERS FOR REPAIR , THEY DID FIXED ,AND WHEN I CHECKED :RESULT 0 UNREPAIRED RECALLS.BUT I RECEIVED STILL MANY RECALL LETTERS.PLEASE REVIEW AND STOP THOSE LETTERS WHICH BOTHER ME.I 'M SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR HELP. HAVE A GOOD DAY

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 19, 202093,000 milesFL

THESE HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS AND EVEN INSIDE THE CAR DOME LIGHTS ARE DANGEROUSLY DIM. EVEN WITH LIGHTS ON BRIGHT IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 16, 2020130,000 milesCA

TIMING CHAIN IS RATTLING

Air Bags
Filed Jun 25, 202097,000 milesOH

WHEN DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON. THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, I TRY TO TURN IT OFF BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE, THE BRAKE IS STIFF AND WILL NOT DISENGAGE. THE ONLY WAY TO DISENGAGE IS BY PUSHING THE ON OFF BUTTON ON STEERING WHEEL. *TR

Engine
Filed Feb 14, 2020154,000 milesUT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX7. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER SPOUSE DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS NOR WAS IT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO ASSISTANCE PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.

Suspension
Filed Jan 17, 202025 milesIL

I HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE SUSPENSION I KNOW THE MAZDA CX 7 HAS A RECALL BEFORE I BUY THIS CAR, HOW I CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION IF THE PREVIOUS OWNER FIXES THE PROBLEM AND ATTEND THE SUSPENSION RECALL ISSUE. I NEED A LETTER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM OR WHO I NEED TO CONTACT. I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS CAR WITH ALL THE ISSUES I HAVE. IS A SAFETY RISK FOR ME AND MY FAMILY WHENEVER I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE I HEAR A SOUND UNDER IS LIKE SOMETHING IS BROKEN AND IS THE ONLY CAR I HAVE. I HOPE YOU CAN GIVE ME MORE INFO.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 5, 2020100,000 milesIN

BOTH REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULBS MELTED THROUGH THE LIGHT ENCASING.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 15, 2019NY

HEADLIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY DIM. INSIDE HOUSING FOR HEADLIGHTS IS MELTED FROM OVERHEATING, MAKING HEADLIGHTS INEFFECTIVE. DRIVING AT NIGHT IS NOT SAFE AND DOWN RIGHT DANGEROUS. VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR ALL YEARS OF THIS VEHICLE.

Suspension
Filed Dec 19, 2018149,981 milesWI

MY CX-7 WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE BALL JOINT RECALL. THE BALL JOINT HAD FAILED PRIOR TO GETTING THE BALL JOINT REPLACED. AS A RESULT THERE WERE A LOT MORE REPAIRS THAT WERE REQUIRED. IT HAS BEEN A LITTLE OVER A YEAR SINCE THE BALL JOINTS WERE REPAIRED. REPAIR DATE WAS 1/25/2017. ACCORDING TO MORRIE'S CHIPPEWA VALLEY MAZDA IN LAKE HALLIE, WI, MY LEFT BALL JOINT IS ALREADY LOOSE. IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS RECALL WAS TO ADDRESS THE BALL JOINTS FAILING PREMATURELY. IT SHOULD HAVE LASTED MORE THAN A YEAR. MAZDA SAYS THERE IS NO WARRANTY FOR THE RECALL REPLACEMENT. WHAT WAS THE POINT OF THE RECALL IF THEY CANNOT FIX THE ISSUE? SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Air Bags
Filed Aug 29, 201854,000 milesGA

TAKATA RECALL. WHEN REPLACING THE AIRBAG THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON. WHEN TAKING THE VEHICLE BACK FOR SECOND AIRBAG REPLACEMENT THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE LIGHT HAD COME ON. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS A COINCIDENCE AND HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT THEY HAD JUST WORKED ON THE SYSTEM. I WONDER IF THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE AND WHAT IS THE FAIL RATE OF THE SEAT SENSOR AT THE TIME OF WORK BEING DONE OR IF THIS IS A WAY TO RECOUP MONEY FOR THE SERVICE.

Suspension
Filed Aug 10, 2018112,294 milesPA

BOUGHT THE CAR JULY 30 2016. LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM BROKE CAUSING LOST STEERING AND ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE CAR. HAD THE CAR REPAIRED AT A SHOP JULY 20 2017. GOT A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE SAME ISSUE SEPT 2017. JUST HAD THE CAR REPAIRED AS PER THE RECALL 08/09/2018 BUT NOW MAZDA DOES NOT WANT TO REIMBURSE FOR THE PRIOR REPAIRS MADE SINCE IT WAS AFTER THE AUGUST 10 2016 DATE ON THE RECALL AND CAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE BANK STATEMENT FROM BACK THEN SHOWING IT WAS PAID ON MY VISA. I SENT THEM THE INVOICE FROM THE GARAGE THAT IS CLEARLY MARKED PAID VISA. THE BREAKAGE HAPPENED ON THE STREET I LIVE ON, WIFE AND I WERE ON OUR WAY TO MEET WITH FAMILY FOR SUPPER. THE CAR WAS JUST DRIVEN HOME BY MYSELF FROM WORK ON A 65MPH 4 LANE HIGHWAY LESS THEN A HOUR PRIOR, THANK GOD IT DIDN'T BREAK AT THOSE SPEEDS. THE ROAD MAKES A SLIGHT TURN TO THE RIGHT WHEN I HEARD A BANG AND THE LEFT FRONT CORNER OF THE CAR DROPPED. ONCE I SAFELY GOT THE CAR STOPPED WITH STEERING FOUND THE LEFT FRONT TIRE AT A 90 DEGREE ANGEL WITH THE FENDER ON TOP OF IT. DRIVE SHAFT WAS TORN OUT FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND TIE RODS WERE BENT.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 12, 2018110,000 milesAZ

A/C COMPRESSOR WENT OUT. ALL PARTS NEEDED TO REPLACE IS COMPRESSOR/CONDENSER-DRYER/EXPANSION VALVE. TOTAL OF $2778.00 WORKING FINE. STOPPED AT STORE 15 MIN. START BACK UP AND NO A/C

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm
Filed Jan 31, 2018IN

2008 MAZDA CX-7. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS. *LD THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE TOTAL COST OF RECALL REPAIRS AND TOWING. THE CONSUMER IS A LICENSED MECHANIC AND REPAIRED THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND THE AIRBAG INFLATOR. *JS

Air Bags
Filed Jan 17, 2018LA

TAKADA RECALL. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MAZDA DEALER IN BOSSIER CITY LA CONCERNING THE RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE AND THE DEALER STILL HAS NOT RESOLVED THE ISSUES.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 3, 2018151,028 milesMA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V457000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V593000 (SUSPENSION). THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LANNAN MAZDA (720 ROGERS ST, LOWELL, MA 01852), BUT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,028. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 14, 2017UT

ALSO THE BEARINGS ARE RECALLED. WE RECEIVED TWO LETTERS FROM THE MAZDA RECALL DEPARTMENT, STATEING THE RECALLS.

20 of 191 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2007
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20131000Routine
201239400Do not drive
2011153400Do not drive
2010155520Do not drive
200964610Do not drive
2008 — this page191590Do not drive
20075285300Do not drive

Compare every CX-7 year →

Reading this record

NHTSA has issued a do-not-drive warning for a recall on this vehicle.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 31, 2019. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.