2008 Mazda CX-7: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
191 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
61,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 127 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 51 of 191 complaints (26.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 13 | 6.8% |
| Steering behavior | 13 | 6.8% |
| Braking behavior | 9 | 4.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 3.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 2.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 51 |
| Engine | 44 |
| Suspension | 37 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 27 |
| Exterior Lighting | 14 |
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Power Train | 11 |
| Steering | 8 |
Air Bags: 51; Engine: 44; Suspension: 37; Engine And Engine Cooling: 27; Exterior Lighting: 14; Electrical System: 11; Power Train: 11; Steering: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 13 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 35 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 31 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 29 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 15 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 35; 50,000 to 74,999: 31; 75,000 to 99,999: 29; 100,000 to 149,999: 15; 150,000 and above: 4
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (35). 64 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 17 |
| 2010 | 21 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2013 | 21 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 21 |
| 2017 | 43 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2008: 2; 2009: 17; 2010: 21; 2011: 11; 2012: 13; 2013: 21; 2014: 14; 2015: 9; 2016: 21; 2017: 43; 2018: 7; 2019: 1; 2020: 10; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 13 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10221526 · 2008-03-18 (March 18, 2008)
THE TIRES WILL NOT GRIP ANY AMOUNT OF SNOW, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT SET TWICE AND THE TIRES CHECKED TWICE THE ALIGNMENT IS STILL OFF. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10221526 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10238380 · 2008-08-15 (August 15, 2008)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10238380 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10260885 · 2009-03-05 (March 5, 2009)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10260885 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10262364 · 2009-03-18 (March 18, 2009)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10262364 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10263020 · 2009-03-25 (March 25, 2009)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10263020 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10274531 · 2009-06-21 (June 21, 2009)
SUDDEN FAILURE OF AC CLUTCH. LOCKS UP AND BURNS. AFFECTS STEERING AND WILL DAMAGE ENGINE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10274531 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10274837 · 2009-06-24 (June 24, 2009)
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 AG…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,408 miles reported. Look up ODI 10274837 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10275054 · 2009-06-26 (June 26, 2009)
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 M…
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10275054 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V593000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
Reported: 2016-08-11 (August 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V429000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2017-06-29 (June 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V457000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2017-07-18 (July 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V782000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-10-31 (October 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗