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2008 Mazda CX-7: problems, recalls and reliability

5 recalls and 191 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (21% of complaints); the 2009 model year looks more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2019

5
recalls
191
owner complaints
9
fire reports
61,000
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

One of the most complained-about CX-7 years (#2 of 6, age-adjusted)Weak spot: air bags (21%)9 fire reports

Common problems

Computed from 191 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)21% · 39 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)19% · 35 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)18% · 33 complaints
Suspension (shocks, springs, ride quality)12% · 22 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)5% · 10 complaints
Exterior Lighting (headlights, taillights)5% · 10 complaints
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.Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2020
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 deadOwner report · Power Train · Dec 2020
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 muchOwner report · Engine · Nov 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
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 dayOwner report · Air Bags · Oct 2020
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. *trOwner report · Air Bags · Jun 2020
These headlights and taillights and even inside the car dome lights are dangerously dim. Even with lights on bright it is difficult to seeOwner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2020
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.Owner report · Engine · Feb 2020
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.Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2019
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/cOwner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2018
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.Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2018

When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 5 campaigns

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE19V782000 · Oct 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.

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 MODULE17V429000 · Jun 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.

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.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE17V457000 · Jul 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.

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.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT16V593000 · Aug 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.

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 · Apr 2009

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.

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.

Trouble codes owners mention

OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.

Specifications

Factory options offered for the 2008 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.

FuelGasoline

How other years compare

Check your exact CX-7 by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

Open VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Mazda CX-7 reliable?

NHTSA has 191 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Mazda CX-7. The most complained-about area is air bags (21% of complaints).

At what mileage do 2008 Mazda CX-7 problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 61,000 miles or less.

Does the 2008 Mazda CX-7 have open recalls?

5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.