Total Complaints
714 filings
MAZDA CX-7 · model year
714 NHTSA complaints, 17 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2007MAZDACX-7 carries 714 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 17 crashes, 45 fires, 27 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2007 CX-7 is engine with 112 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (111) and air bags (101). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 21 investigation files overlapping the 2007 CX-7, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
714 filings
Crashes Reported
17 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | 112 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 111 |
| AIR BAGS | 101 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 59 |
| SUSPENSION | 54 |
| POWER TRAIN | 46 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 29 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 28 |
| STEERING | 19 |
| TIRES | 17 |
| EQUIPMENT | 15 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 15 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 14 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 11 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 7 |
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 deg
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 (Sa
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
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
EQUIPMENT
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 AB
The headlights are horrible for night time driving. The low beam lights are nearly invisible, which leaves you no choice but to drive with high beam lights and still poses a serious safety risk. Vehicle was taken to dealership and asked if there had been any recalls on the headlights because theyâre very dangerous, canât see anything at night.
The contact owns a 2007 Mazda CX-7. The contact stated that the air conditioning system was inoperable, and the cabin air filter was replaced; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, he smelled a burning odor. The contact stated that her husband drove to the residence, and while parking the vehicle, he noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle at the residence and determined that the air condition compressor clutch had seized, causing the compressor fuse to burn. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that older vehicles were not service at their location. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 174,000.
Mileage: 174,000
THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE COMPLETELY INADEQUATE FOR NIGHT DRIVING. THEY DO NOT PROJECT ANY WHERE NEAR ENOUGH LIGHT TO SEE IN UNLIT AREAS WHERE YOU CANNOT USE HIGH BEAMS. THE LIGHT IS YELLOW NO MATTER WHAT BULB YOU USE AND DOES NOT PROJECT DOWN ROAD AT ALL.
ENGINE VVT SOLENOID SEIZED CAUSING COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60MPH. THE DEALER IS ASKING $10,730 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE CAR HAS 76,000 MILES.
Mileage: 76,000
WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP CALLED HEAVY FOOT MOTORS IN SAN ANTONIO TX. THE VERY NEXT DAY, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING FROM THE HOOD, EXHAUST, AND SMOKE CAME THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. MY WIFE GOING ABOUT 5-10MPH WHILE MAKING A TURN IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN THE SMOKING STARTED. WE TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED. THEIR MECHANIC TOOK THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT FOR THREE WEEKS. I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP AND MADE IT MAYBE 5 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD, AND THE VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING. SO I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND IT IS CURRENTLY THERE AS OF 4/4/2020. MY SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT THERE IS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE, EXHAUST, AS WELL AS THROUGH THE AC VENT AND GOING INTO THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHEN I WENT TO INSTALL MY CHILDREN'S SEAT BELT WE REALIZED THE BACK SEATS SEAT BELTS DO NOT LOCK TO SECURE A CARSEAT. THAT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME. ALSO, UPON PURCHASE I REALIZE THERE WAS NO DRIVER SIDE DOOR
Mileage: 140,000
WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP CALLED HEAVY FOOT MOTORS IN SAN ANTONIO TX. THE VERY NEXT DAY, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING FROM THE HOOD, EXHAUST, AND SMOKE CAME THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. MY WIFE GOING ABOUT 5-10MPH WHILE MAKING A TURN IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN THE SMOKING STARTED. WE TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED. THEIR MECHANIC TOOK THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT FOR THREE WEEKS. I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP AND MADE IT MAYBE 5 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD, AND THE VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING. SO I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND IT IS CURRENTLY THERE AS OF 4/4/2020. MY SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT THERE IS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE, EXHAUST, AS WELL AS THROUGH THE AC VENT AND GOING INTO THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHEN I WENT TO INSTALL MY CHILDREN'S SEAT BELT WE REALIZED THE BACK SEATS SEAT BELTS DO NOT LOCK TO SECURE A CARSEAT. THAT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME. ALSO, UPON PURCHASE I REALIZE THERE WAS NO DRIVER SIDE DOOR
Mileage: 140,000
WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP CALLED HEAVY FOOT MOTORS IN SAN ANTONIO TX. THE VERY NEXT DAY, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING FROM THE HOOD, EXHAUST, AND SMOKE CAME THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. MY WIFE GOING ABOUT 5-10MPH WHILE MAKING A TURN IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN THE SMOKING STARTED. WE TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED. THEIR MECHANIC TOOK THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT FOR THREE WEEKS. I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP AND MADE IT MAYBE 5 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD, AND THE VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING. SO I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND IT IS CURRENTLY THERE AS OF 4/4/2020. MY SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT THERE IS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE, EXHAUST, AS WELL AS THROUGH THE AC VENT AND GOING INTO THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHEN I WENT TO INSTALL MY CHILDREN'S SEAT BELT WE REALIZED THE BACK SEATS SEAT BELTS DO NOT LOCK TO SECURE A CARSEAT. THAT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME. ALSO, UPON PURCHASE I REALIZE THERE WAS NO DRIVER SIDE DOOR
Mileage: 140,000
BEFORE I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE I HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN TO STAR MAZDA AN AUTHORIZED DEALER IN GLENDALE TWICE FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT WARNING SIGN WHICH HAD BEEN LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD. TWICE STAR MAZDA CHARGED ME $140.00 FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHT. AFTER I RECEIVED THE NOTICE I TOOK THE CAR IN AND AFTER TWO HOURS THEY INDICATED THAT THEY REPLACE THE PARTS NEEDED AND IT IS A SIMPLE RECALL AND ITS NOT SO IMPORTANT. THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT IS STILL LIT ON THE DASHBOARD AND MY REGULAR MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AIRBAG MIGHT NOT FUNCTION ON MY CAR SINCE THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT IS LIT. PLEASE ADVISE. I HAVE ANOTHER MAZDA WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE DEALER REFUSES TO RESOLVE THE AIRBAG WARNING SIGN WHICH IS ON RIGHT AFTER I TURN ON THE VEHICLE. THE OTHER MAZDA VIN # IS [XXX]. PLEASE ADVISE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
JUNE 2014, I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE OUT OF TOWN ON VACATION AND IT SUDDENLY BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH LIKE THE PISTONS WERE MISFIRING. MILEAGE WAS 69,700. I PULLED INTO A DEALERSHIP (1 MILE AWAY), DROPPED THE KEYS, AND CALLED TO EXPLAIN IN THE MORNING. LATER, THEY SAID THEY DROVE THE CAR AROUND THE LOT AND THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. THEY TOOK NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAKING IT WORSE AND CHARGED ME FOR CONFIRMING THE LOSS OF COMPRESSION IN THE PISTONS. WE REPLACED THE ENGINE AT GREAT EXPENSE AND TO A POOR RESULT. I FOUND THIS 2007 MODEL HAD A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE VARIABLE VALVE TIMING (VVT) CAUSING THE TIMING CHAIN TO COME OUT OF ADJUSTMENT AND DESTROY THE ENGINE. INSTEAD OF ISSUING A RECALL AND FIXING IT, MAZDA OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 6 YEARS-60,000 MILES. THIS IS ABOUT THE AVERAGE POINT OF FAILURE, MEANING HALF THE PEOPLE ARE NOT COVERED. A FEATURE OF THE TURBO CHARGER IS MAKING THE ENGINE RUN HOT, BURNING THE OIL, SO PEOPLE WERE OFTEN DENIED BECAUSE THE OIL "HAD NOT BEEN CHANGED."
Mileage: 69,700
I'VE ALREADY MAKE THE AIRBAG REPLACEMENT IN 16-MARCH-2018 BUT I'M STILL RECEIVING THE NOTIFICATIONS. THERE'S BEEN 1 YEAR AND A HALF SINCE THEN AND GOT LIKE A HUNDRED OF NOTIFICATIONS. I'M BEGINNING TO THINK THAT THE DEALER DIDN'T DO THE REPLACEMENT. OR MAYBE YOU HAVEN'T UPDATED THE DATABASE? I'M WORRIED BECAUSE THE MAZDA DEALER IS TELLING ME TO IGNORE THOSE NOTIFICATIONS. I'M TRYING TO CONTACT YOU BUT THERE'S NO WAY TO CONTACT ANYBODY IN NHTSA. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME I FILE A COMPLAINT AND THERE'S NO RESPONSE. I THINK YOU AREN'T DOING ENOUGH WITH THIS EMERGENCY. EMAIL: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
HAPPEN 2 DAYS AGO WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL OF PLASTIC INSIDE THE CABIN AND UPON INSPECTION I TRACED IT AT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS. THE BULBS GETS TO HOT AND MELTING THE PLASTIC INSIDE THE HOUSING OF THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THIS CAR HAS A CLEAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND SINCE IT'S BURNING THE LENS IS BECOMING SMOKY. I THINK IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT THIS BULB CAN CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FUTURE.
Mileage: 100,000
MAZDA WILL NOT COMPLETE THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL ON OUR VEHICLE NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES THEY ARE CONTACTED. WE HAVE MADE AT LEAST 6 ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT THEM, I THINK MORE, FOR NEARLY A YEAR. MAZDA REPS HAVE PROMISED TO GET BACK TO ME, BUT WE NEVER HEAR MORE. THEY KEEP SENDING NOTICE BY MAIL, BUT THEY DO NOT FOLLOW UP AFTER I CALL.
TAMARA RECALL
' 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.
Mileage: 150,000
' 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.
Mileage: 150,000
' 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.
Mileage: 150,000
WHILE DRIVING THE WHEEL AND STEERING BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. THE CAR WAS ONLY STOPPED BY A WALL ON THE HIGHWAY. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND HAD A HEART ATTACK DURING THIS INCIDENT WITH THE CAR. THE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS DEPLOYED.
Mileage: 77,000
WHILE DRIVING THE WHEEL AND STEERING BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. THE CAR WAS ONLY STOPPED BY A WALL ON THE HIGHWAY. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND HAD A HEART ATTACK DURING THIS INCIDENT WITH THE CAR. THE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS DEPLOYED.
Mileage: 77,000
WHILE DRIVING THE WHEEL AND STEERING BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. THE CAR WAS ONLY STOPPED BY A WALL ON THE HIGHWAY. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND HAD A HEART ATTACK DURING THIS INCIDENT WITH THE CAR. THE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS DEPLOYED.
Mileage: 77,000
THE MOTOR STARTED RUNNING HOT AND LOSING POWER AND I SHUT IT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE AND WAS SCANNED ON COMPUTER AND ONLY SHOWED CODE FOR STEERING WHEEL ANGLE. THE MECHANIC PULLED THE COILS AND PLUGS AND CHECKED FOR SPARK AND INSTALLED NEW PLUGS AND ALL COILS OPERATED NORMALLY. COMPRESSION WAS CHECKED AND WAS LOW IN ALL CYLINDERS AROUND 70-80 PSI. PLUGS AND COILS WERE REINSTALLED AND INTERCOOLER PUT BACK ON. CAR IS IN A NO START CONDITION, CAR WAS TAKEN TO CLOSEST MAZDA DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT FIX PROBLEM SINCE SOMEONE HAD BEEN IN THE MOTOR. THE MECHANIC CALLED THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND TOLD THEM EXACTLY WHAT HAD BEEN DONE AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT MAKE IT RIGHT. THE CAR HAS 115000 MILES AND HAS NUMEROUS RECALLS FOR THE VVT TIMING CHAIN, TURBO, ENGINE, AND THEY HAVE TSB'S FOR THESE ISSUES AND STILL PLAY DUMB. I WANT MY MOTOR FIXED BY MAZDA AT MAZDA'S EXPENSE SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS AND ISSUES WITH THESE VEHICLES AND MAZDA KNOWS ABOUT IT AND S
Mileage: 115,466
Momentary increase in steering effort after recall remedy
Inadvertent Curtain Air Bag Deployment
Front Subframe Corrosion
Lower ball joint separation
Brake Booster Failure
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.