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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

528 reports
100,000 miles · Oct 31, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING COULD BE HEARD HEAR FROM THE ENGINE WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE. LATER, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE TIME BELT WAS FRACTURED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING COULD BE HEARD HEAR FROM THE ENGINE WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE. LATER, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE TIME BELT WAS FRACTURED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10433737

53,000 miles · Oct 8, 2011
Air BagsCrashInjury

ANOTHER DRIVER TURNED IN FRONT OF ME, FAILING TO YIELD THE RIGHT-OF-WAY. I WAS DOING THE SPEED LIMIT (45 MPH) UPON ENTERING THE INTERSECTION. WHEN MY CX-7 MADE CONTACT WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE OF HER MINIVAN, NONE OF MY AIRBAGS EVER DEPLOYED. MY SHOULDER, NECK AND HIP (I STILL NEED SURGERY ON ALL 3 AREAS) WERE INJURED I…

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ANOTHER DRIVER TURNED IN FRONT OF ME, FAILING TO YIELD THE RIGHT-OF-WAY. I WAS DOING THE SPEED LIMIT (45 MPH) UPON ENTERING THE INTERSECTION. WHEN MY CX-7 MADE CONTACT WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE OF HER MINIVAN, NONE OF MY AIRBAGS EVER DEPLOYED. MY SHOULDER, NECK AND HIP (I STILL NEED SURGERY ON ALL 3 AREAS) WERE INJURED IN THIS ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10429183

88,000 miles · Oct 2, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR ON THE VEHICLE SEIZED WITH NO WARNING & CAUSED THE SERPENTINE BELT TO CATCH ON FIRE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE, BASED ON MANY POSTINGS ON THE INTERNET. ADDITIONALLY, THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER I TAKE MY VEHICLE TO FOR SERVICE SAID A NOISE GETTING PROGRESSIVELY LOUDE…

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THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR ON THE VEHICLE SEIZED WITH NO WARNING & CAUSED THE SERPENTINE BELT TO CATCH ON FIRE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE, BASED ON MANY POSTINGS ON THE INTERNET. ADDITIONALLY, THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER I TAKE MY VEHICLE TO FOR SERVICE SAID A NOISE GETTING PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER IN THE ENGINE IS THE TIMING CHAIN ADJUSTER THAT WILL REQUIRE REPLACEMENT VERY SOON. HE SAID THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE, AND THE MANY POSTINGS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE SEEM TO CONFIRM HIS STATEMENT. COMBINED, REPAIRS FOR BOTH WILL BE IN THE $3500 TO $5000 RANGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10428226

70,000 miles · Sep 23, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

THERE ARE TWO COMPLAINTS FOR THIS VEHICLE. 1. TIMING BELT...FAILURE AFTER 68,000 MILES CHANGED AFTER A DISPUTE WITH DEALERSHIP, WE STILL HAD TO PAY FOR 2 HRS OF LABOR. 2. TURBO UNIT...FAILURE AFTER 70,000 MILES STILL AT DEALERSHIP...NO OPTION BUT TO PAY $3083 TO GET FIXED. TURBO FAILURE HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY, VEHICLE PERFO…

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THERE ARE TWO COMPLAINTS FOR THIS VEHICLE. 1. TIMING BELT...FAILURE AFTER 68,000 MILES CHANGED AFTER A DISPUTE WITH DEALERSHIP, WE STILL HAD TO PAY FOR 2 HRS OF LABOR. 2. TURBO UNIT...FAILURE AFTER 70,000 MILES STILL AT DEALERSHIP...NO OPTION BUT TO PAY $3083 TO GET FIXED. TURBO FAILURE HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY, VEHICLE PERFORMED ERRATIC AND LIMPED TO OFF RAMP USING SHOULDER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10426944

63,000 miles · Sep 16, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

CAR SUDDENLY STALLED 3 HOURS AWAY FROM HOME; NO NOTICEABLE PERFORMANCE ISSUES / NOISE PRIOR. TOWED TO MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED TIMING BELT BROKE CAUSING SOME VALVES TO BEND AND OTHER DAMAGE THEREFORE REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE REQUIRED. WAS ON , OTHER CAR BLOG SITES ALONG WITH RESEARCHING THIS SITE AND FOUND THAT MANY, MANY OTHERS W…

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CAR SUDDENLY STALLED 3 HOURS AWAY FROM HOME; NO NOTICEABLE PERFORMANCE ISSUES / NOISE PRIOR. TOWED TO MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED TIMING BELT BROKE CAUSING SOME VALVES TO BEND AND OTHER DAMAGE THEREFORE REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE REQUIRED. WAS ON , OTHER CAR BLOG SITES ALONG WITH RESEARCHING THIS SITE AND FOUND THAT MANY, MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE ENCOUNTERED THE SAME ISSUE AROUND THE 60K MILES MARK (OR LESS IN SOME CASES). SPOKE TO MAZDA AND THEY ARE NOT TAKING ANY OWNERSHIP OR RESPONSIBILITY EVEN THOUGH MANY INCIDENCES OF THE SAME MECHANICAL PROBLEM. OIL CHANGES WERE MADE REGULARLY AND CAR WAS LAST INTO MAZDA FOR A NOISE LESS THAN A YEAR AGO WHICH THEY SAID WAS DUE TO MY BRAKES. HAVE OWNED MANY CARS BEFORE (NOT MAZDAS) AND THIS CAR IS A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT AS IS MY EXPERIENCE WITH MAZDA. I HOPE THIS ISSUE WILL BE OR IS BEING PURSUED WITH MAZDA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT

NHTSA ODI #10425770

92,700 miles · Sep 12, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE HAD MY 2007 MAZDA CX-7 FOR LESS THAN ONE YEAR. I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY AND MY CAR ENGULFED IN THICK WHITE SMOKE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP PER MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THE REPAIR SHOP AT FIRST CALLED TO TELL ME IT WAS THE STARTER, AND THAT IT WOULD COST 600 TO FIX I…

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I HAVE HAD MY 2007 MAZDA CX-7 FOR LESS THAN ONE YEAR. I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY AND MY CAR ENGULFED IN THICK WHITE SMOKE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP PER MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THE REPAIR SHOP AT FIRST CALLED TO TELL ME IT WAS THE STARTER, AND THAT IT WOULD COST 600 TO FIX IT. COME TO FIND OUT THAT NOT ONLY THE STARTER BLEW, BUT IT ALSO RUINED THE ALTERNATOR AS WELL AS THE FUSES ON THE BATTERY. I WAS TOLD BY MAZDA THAT THIS IS NOT A COMMON OCCURRENCE. THE TOTAL OF THE REPAIRS IS NOW OVER 1200. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT ITS LIFESPAN AND IS AT 92,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10425041

31,000 miles · Sep 9, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

AFTER DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING. I BROUGHT IT TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE AIR COMPRESSOR KIT WENT OUT AND IT IS $2,300 TO FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10424520

85,000 miles · Sep 2, 2011
Power Train

MY CAR MAKES A RATTLING NOISE AT START UP. AFTER READING THE HORROR STORY'S ONLINE ABOUT THIS CAR VVTA GOING OUT, OR THE AC COMPRESSOR GOING OUT AND MESSING UP THE ENGINE I TOOK IT TOO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW VARIABLE VALVE TIMING ACTUATOR. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. SO I TALK TO IND…

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MY CAR MAKES A RATTLING NOISE AT START UP. AFTER READING THE HORROR STORY'S ONLINE ABOUT THIS CAR VVTA GOING OUT, OR THE AC COMPRESSOR GOING OUT AND MESSING UP THE ENGINE I TOOK IT TOO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW VARIABLE VALVE TIMING ACTUATOR. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. SO I TALK TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO HAS EXPERIENCE WITH MAZDAS AND HAS FIXED THIS SAME PROBLEM NUMEROUS TIMES ON THIS VEHICLE. HE STATED THE PROBLEM IS YOU CAN ONLY GET THE PART FROM MAZDA AND THEY ARE STILL SELLING THE DEFECTIVE PART. WHY ISN'T SOMEONE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. THIS ISSUE HAS CAUSED PEOPLE FROM LOSING ALL POWER WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY. MY CAR ALSO HAS A TRANSFER CASE LEAK WHICH IS ANOTHER THING EVERYONE ELSE IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH. SOMEONE GET THESE GUYS TO RECALL THIS PART.THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CAR!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10423121

69,420 miles · Sep 1, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE VARIABLE VALVE TIMING ACTUATOR FAILED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE VARIABLE VALVE TIMING ACTUATOR FAILED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000. THE TIMING CHAIN AND BELT WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 11/10/2011 *LN

NHTSA ODI #10422902

79,000 miles · Sep 1, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2007 MAZDA CX-7 BROKE DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. FOUND OUT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD SNAPPED AS A RESULT OF A PISTON BLOWING. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE TURBO SEIZED AND CAUSED EXCESS PRESSURE CAUSING THE PISTON TO BLOW AND BREAKING THE TIMING CHAIN. HAVE FOUND MANY PEOPLE ONLINE COMPLAINING OF SAME THING HAPPENING TO THEIR CX-7. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10422895

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.