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2007 Mazda CX-7

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most CX-7 years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Mazda CX-7 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 153.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

424 reports with mileage · 104 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 206 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 112 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 102 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports30 fire reports10 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

14 reports
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150,000 miles · Jul 6, 2019
Air BagsStructureUnknown Or Other

' TAKATA RECALL' IT SEEMS AFTER HAVING MY CAR FOR 4 MONTHS I RAN INTO ISSUES. I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHEN MY CAR STARTED MAKING A STRANGE WHINING NOISE AND SMALL PLUMES OR WHITE SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM THE HOOD, NEAR THE PULLEY SYSTEMS. I DROVE HOME APPROXIMATELY 4 MILES AWAY . I WENT TO START IT THE NEXT DAY AN…

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' TAKATA RECALL' IT SEEMS AFTER HAVING MY CAR FOR 4 MONTHS I RAN INTO ISSUES. I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHEN MY CAR STARTED MAKING A STRANGE WHINING NOISE AND SMALL PLUMES OR WHITE SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM THE HOOD, NEAR THE PULLEY SYSTEMS. I DROVE HOME APPROXIMATELY 4 MILES AWAY . I WENT TO START IT THE NEXT DAY AND IT WON'T START IT SEEMS TO BE THE ALTERNATOR.

NHTSA ODI #11229814

134,400 miles · Oct 22, 2018
Air BagsElectrical SystemUnknown Or Other

AIR BAGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AFTER RECALL IN JULY OF 2018 AND AIR BAG L8GHTS HACE COME BACK ON IN OCTOBER 2018. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN STATIONARY AFTER STARTING THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11141746

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2018
Unknown Or Other

I HAD THE AIR CONDITIONING FIXED AND IT KEEPS GOING OUT,IT IS IN THE SHOP FOR THE 3RD TIME. THE CAR WILL NOT RUN WITHOUT THIS WORKING,IT IS ALL ON ONE BELT. I WANT MAZDA TO REPLACE THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND GUARENTEE THIS. I WANT MAZDA TO REEMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIRS I MADE 3 TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #11103405

147,000 miles · Oct 2, 2017
Unknown Or Other

WHEN DRIVING THERE IS A RATTLING NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE. WAS TOLD FROM MAZDA SERVICE DEPT. THAT IT WAS VVT (VARIABLE VALVE TIMING) ITS A CHAIN WHICH IS - THE PROCESS OF ALTERING THE TIMING OF A VALVE LIFT EVENT, AND IS OFTEN USED TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE, FUEL ECONOMY OR EMISSIONS. IT IS INCREASINGLY BEING USED …

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WHEN DRIVING THERE IS A RATTLING NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE. WAS TOLD FROM MAZDA SERVICE DEPT. THAT IT WAS VVT (VARIABLE VALVE TIMING) ITS A CHAIN WHICH IS - THE PROCESS OF ALTERING THE TIMING OF A VALVE LIFT EVENT, AND IS OFTEN USED TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE, FUEL ECONOMY OR EMISSIONS. IT IS INCREASINGLY BEING USED IN COMBINATION WITH VARIABLE VALVE LIFT SYSTEMS. I WAS TOLD THAT MOST MAZDA CARS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AFTER MILES OF DRIVING AND THE COST OF REPAIRS IS ALMOST $2000. MAZDA ISN'T TRYING TO COVER THE REPAIR WHICH IS SHOWING TO BE HAPPENING ON ALMOST ALL OF THEIR SUVS.

NHTSA ODI #11030859

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2017
Unknown Or Other

AC UNIT SMOKE WHEN IT BRAKES CAUSING SMOKE TO COME IN SIDE AND CAUSING CERVITEEN BELT TO BREAK ALSO.

NHTSA ODI #11015871

Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2017
Unknown Or Other

SO MY A.C. DECIDES TO GO OUT THE OTHER DAY WHILE ON THE WAY TO CLASS (ON THE INTERSTATE ) AND I START TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING, THEN TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE SMOKE STARTS COMING FROM THE VENTS!! I IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER AND HAD TO GET IT TOWED ! TOOK IT TO REPAIR SHOP TO BE LOOKED AT AND LEARNED THAT THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM WIT…

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SO MY A.C. DECIDES TO GO OUT THE OTHER DAY WHILE ON THE WAY TO CLASS (ON THE INTERSTATE ) AND I START TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING, THEN TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE SMOKE STARTS COMING FROM THE VENTS!! I IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER AND HAD TO GET IT TOWED ! TOOK IT TO REPAIR SHOP TO BE LOOKED AT AND LEARNED THAT THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES! APPARENTLY THIS IS WELL KNOWN AND THERE IS SOME SORT OF MALFUNCTION AND PEOPLE ARE PAYING THE PRICE BIG TIME FOR IT. I DO NOT THINK THIS IS RIGHT. I GOT THIS VEHICLE A MONTH AGO TO GET ME TO SCHOOL AND TO GET ME AND MY 3 YEAR OLD AROUND. I DO NOT HAVE 2K LAYING AROUND TO GET IT FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #11005860

1 miles · Apr 15, 2017
Air BagsUnknown Or OtherWheels

SOLO SE MIRA LA LUZ DE LAS BOLSAS DE AIRE Y SOMO 5 DE FAMILUA Y DE UNA FORMA U OTRA ES MUY DIFICIL NO SENTARSE ENFRENTE PERO AHORITA ME ESTA FALTANDO MUCHO LA VISIBILIDAD PORQUE SALE MUCHO VAPOR DEL CALENTON Y CON LA LLUVIA CASI NO MIRO BIEN AL MANEJAR Y NECESITI QUE PORFAVOR ME REVISE EL VEHCULO HE TENIDO OCACIONES QUE SE ENCIE…

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SOLO SE MIRA LA LUZ DE LAS BOLSAS DE AIRE Y SOMO 5 DE FAMILUA Y DE UNA FORMA U OTRA ES MUY DIFICIL NO SENTARSE ENFRENTE PERO AHORITA ME ESTA FALTANDO MUCHO LA VISIBILIDAD PORQUE SALE MUCHO VAPOR DEL CALENTON Y CON LA LLUVIA CASI NO MIRO BIEN AL MANEJAR Y NECESITI QUE PORFAVOR ME REVISE EL VEHCULO HE TENIDO OCACIONES QUE SE ENCIENDE LA LUZ DE EL MOTIGUADOR DE LAS LLANTAS Y NO SE APAGA HASTA QUE QUIERE TAMBIN ME A SALIDO LA LUZ DE QUE EL CARRO TIENE UN COLISION Y EL CARRO ESTA PARADO APENAS PREPARANDOME PARA SALIR Y SE LE QUITA DESPUES DE HORAS ACAVO DE COMPRARLE UNA BATERIA PORQUE EL CARRO NO QUISO ENSENDET DESPUES DE 3 A 4 HORAS DE ESTACIONARLO EL ESTEREO NO QUIERE FUNCIONAR Y LA PUERTA DEL CONDUCTOR RECHINA AVECES NECESITO QUE CUANDO LLEGUEN LAS BOLSAS DE AIRE LO REVISEN LAS LLANTAS DE ENFRENTE SE LE CLMPRARON POR UN ACCIDENTE QUE TUVE ASE 2 MESES

NHTSA ODI #10978664

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineExterior LightingFire

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE REPLACED TIMING, TURBO, EXAUST, BALL JOINTS, TIE ROD ENDS & MUCH MORE. TIMING WAS FIRST, THEN DRIVING AND TURBO WENT OUT. 2 DAYS AGO CAR SITTING IN DRIVEWAY, NOT RUNNING, STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDER HOOD, BUTST INTO FLAMES AND BURNT UP. MAZDA SAID NO RECALLS, CLEARLY NOT TRUE ACCORDING TO WEBSITE.…

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SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE REPLACED TIMING, TURBO, EXAUST, BALL JOINTS, TIE ROD ENDS & MUCH MORE. TIMING WAS FIRST, THEN DRIVING AND TURBO WENT OUT. 2 DAYS AGO CAR SITTING IN DRIVEWAY, NOT RUNNING, STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDER HOOD, BUTST INTO FLAMES AND BURNT UP. MAZDA SAID NO RECALLS, CLEARLY NOT TRUE ACCORDING TO WEBSITE. ALMOST BURNT MY HOUSE ALSO AS IT WAS SITTING IN DRIVEWAY AND COULDNT BE MOVED. IF WE WOULD HAVE BEEN INSIDE THE CAR, I DOUBT WE WOULD OF HAD TIME TO GET PULLED OVER & OUT AS THATS HOW QUICK IT BURNT!

NHTSA ODI #10967126

128,000 miles · Apr 12, 2016
EngineUnknown Or Other

I PURCHASED A 2007 MAZDA CX-7, 3 YEARS AGO. I HAVE TAKEN PRISTINE CARE OF MY VEHICLE AS I HAVE ALWAYS. I AM A FAN OF MAZDA AND HAVE OWNED OTHERS IN MY LIFETIME. HOWEVER, I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN MAZDA CX-7. I HAVE ALWAYS PUT PREMIUM GAS IN MY VEHICLE, REGULAR OIL CHANGES, AND HAD MY VEHICLE SERVICED AT A MAZDA DEALERSHIP T…

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I PURCHASED A 2007 MAZDA CX-7, 3 YEARS AGO. I HAVE TAKEN PRISTINE CARE OF MY VEHICLE AS I HAVE ALWAYS. I AM A FAN OF MAZDA AND HAVE OWNED OTHERS IN MY LIFETIME. HOWEVER, I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN MAZDA CX-7. I HAVE ALWAYS PUT PREMIUM GAS IN MY VEHICLE, REGULAR OIL CHANGES, AND HAD MY VEHICLE SERVICED AT A MAZDA DEALERSHIP TO MAKE SURE IT WAS TAKEN CARE OF PROPERLY. NONETHELESS, LAST WEEK I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. WHY? BECAUSE OF THE CONSISTENT PROBLEMS I SEEM TO FIND ONLINE. MY TURBO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AMONG OTHER THINGS THAT COINCIDE WITH THIS ISSUE. I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND SEE THAT MAZDA ONLY POINTS FINGERS BACK TO THE CONSUMER. BUT I AM GOING TO POINT MY FINGER AT THE POOR DESIGN. MUST BE WHY MAZDA NO LONGER MAKE THESE VEHICLES. I BELIEVE THIS IS MAZDA'S ISSUE NOT MINE. THE CAR CANNOT BE TOTALED OUT BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY BECAUSE IT IS 'A MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN'. I STILL OWE ON THE VEHICLE AND THE COST TO REPAIR IS WELL OVER THE BLUE BOOK VALUE OF THE CAR. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES. MAZDA JUST KEEPS POINTING THE FINGERS BACK AT US, EVEN IF THE CAR WAS TAKEN CARE OF?!?! IF THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR MAZDA CX-7 AND MAZDA CX 9 TO HAVE TURBOCHARGER AND ENGINE PROBLEMS, I DO NOT SEE WHY THE REPAIRS ARE PUT BACK ON US.

NHTSA ODI #10855049

Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2016
EngineService BrakesUnknown Or Other

I HAVE A 2007 MAZDA CX-7, MY VEHICLE HAS 71,000 MILES I HAVE NOTICED A RIDDLING NOISE FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS. I VISIT THREE MECHANICS AND ALL THREE MECHANICS ARE TELLING ME IT'S THE VVT TIMING CHAIN. THE COST THE REPAIR MY VEHICLE IS $3,000 TO $4,000 DOLLARS. I CONTACT THE MAZDA DEALER AND BECAUSE I HAVE NO WARRANTY I HAVE TO …

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I HAVE A 2007 MAZDA CX-7, MY VEHICLE HAS 71,000 MILES I HAVE NOTICED A RIDDLING NOISE FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS. I VISIT THREE MECHANICS AND ALL THREE MECHANICS ARE TELLING ME IT'S THE VVT TIMING CHAIN. THE COST THE REPAIR MY VEHICLE IS $3,000 TO $4,000 DOLLARS. I CONTACT THE MAZDA DEALER AND BECAUSE I HAVE NO WARRANTY I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. SO I BEGIN TO DO MY RESEARCH ONLINE. I REALIZED THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHER MAZDA CX-7 OWNERS THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AS I. WHAT A COINCIDENCE MAZDA HAS DISCONTINUED MANUFACTURING THE MAZDA CX-7. THIS IS A MANUFACTURE ISSUE AND MAZDA NEEDS TO OWN UP FOR IT. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE LOSING THEIR VEHICLES DUE TO THIS VVT TIMING CHAIN ISSUE AND MAZDA NEEDS TO MAKE THIS A RE-CALL. I KNOW ONE THING I HOPE AND PRAY NOTHING HAPPENS TO ME WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I WILL NOT HESITATE TO FILE A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE MAZDA CORP. I HOPE SOMEONE CAN HELP ALL OF US WHO ARE CURRENT OWNERS OF MAZDA CX-7. I WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD THE WORD OF THIS HORRIFIC ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE MODEL.

NHTSA ODI #10824396

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.