MAZDA CX-7 · model year

2008 MAZDA CX-7

265 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008MAZDACX-7 carries 265 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 11 fires, 4 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 2008 CX-7 is air bags with 51 filings, followed by engine (44) and suspension (37). 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 2008 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.

265
Complaints
5
Crashes
11
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

265 filings

Crashes Reported

5 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS51
ENGINE44
SUSPENSION37
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING27
EXTERIOR LIGHTING14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11
POWER TRAIN11
UNKNOWN OR OTHER8
STEERING8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM6
EQUIPMENT4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE4
TIRES3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
WHEELS3

Recalls (5)

19V78200031/10/2019

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

17V42900029/06/2017

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

17V45700018/07/2017

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

16V59300011/08/2016

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

09E01100002/04/2009

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

Recent Complaints

20211230CrashAIR BAGS

NHTSA Campaign ID : 09E011000 Mfg's Report Date : MAR 31, 2009 Component : EQUIPMENT Potential Number Of Units Affected : 2323 Summary : 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. Consequence : THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. 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

20201224FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 126,000

20201220ENGINE

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 MUCH

Mileage: 1,212,300

20201220POWER TRAIN

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 MUCH

Mileage: 1,212,300

20201220WHEELS

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 MUCH

Mileage: 1,212,300

20201209ENGINE

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 DEAD

Mileage: 122,984

20201209POWER TRAIN

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 DEAD

Mileage: 122,984

20201209SUSPENSION

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 DEAD

Mileage: 122,984

20201012AIR BAGS

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 DAY

20200919EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THESE HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS AND EVEN INSIDE THE CAR DOME LIGHTS ARE DANGEROUSLY DIM. EVEN WITH LIGHTS ON BRIGHT IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE

Mileage: 93,000

20200816UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TIMING CHAIN IS RATTLING

Mileage: 130,000

20200625AIR BAGS

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. *TR

Mileage: 97,000

20200625VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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. *TR

Mileage: 97,000

20200214ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 154,000

20200117SUSPENSION

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.

Mileage: 25

20200105EXTERIOR LIGHTING

BOTH REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULBS MELTED THROUGH THE LIGHT ENCASING.

Mileage: 100,000

20190115EXTERIOR LIGHTING

HEADLIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY DIM. INSIDE HOUSING FOR HEADLIGHTS IS MELTED FROM OVERHEATING, MAKING HEADLIGHTS INEFFECTIVE. DRIVING AT NIGHT IS NOT SAFE AND DOWN RIGHT DANGEROUS. VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR ALL YEARS OF THIS VEHICLE.

20181219SUSPENSION

MY CX-7 WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE BALL JOINT RECALL. THE BALL JOINT HAD FAILED PRIOR TO GETTING THE BALL JOINT REPLACED. AS A RESULT THERE WERE A LOT MORE REPAIRS THAT WERE REQUIRED. IT HAS BEEN A LITTLE OVER A YEAR SINCE THE BALL JOINTS WERE REPAIRED. REPAIR DATE WAS 1/25/2017. ACCORDING TO MORRIE'S CHIPPEWA VALLEY MAZDA IN LAKE HALLIE, WI, MY LEFT BALL JOINT IS ALREADY LOOSE. IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS RECALL WAS TO ADDRESS THE BALL JOINTS FAILING PREMATURELY. IT SHOULD HAVE LASTED MORE THAN A YEAR. MAZDA SAYS THERE IS NO WARRANTY FOR THE RECALL REPLACEMENT. WHAT WAS THE POINT OF THE RECALL IF THEY CANNOT FIX THE ISSUE? SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 149,981

20180829AIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 54,000

20180810SUSPENSION

BOUGHT THE CAR JULY 30 2016. LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM BROKE CAUSING LOST STEERING AND ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE CAR. HAD THE CAR REPAIRED AT A SHOP JULY 20 2017. GOT A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE SAME ISSUE SEPT 2017. JUST HAD THE CAR REPAIRED AS PER THE RECALL 08/09/2018 BUT NOW MAZDA DOES NOT WANT TO REIMBURSE FOR THE PRIOR REPAIRS MADE SINCE IT WAS AFTER THE AUGUST 10 2016 DATE ON THE RECALL AND CAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE BANK STATEMENT FROM BACK THEN SHOWING IT WAS PAID ON MY VISA. I SENT THEM THE INVOICE FROM THE GARAGE THAT IS CLEARLY MARKED PAID VISA. THE BREAKAGE HAPPENED ON THE STREET I LIVE ON, WIFE AND I WERE ON OUR WAY TO MEET WITH FAMILY FOR SUPPER. THE CAR WAS JUST DRIVEN HOME BY MYSELF FROM WORK ON A 65MPH 4 LANE HIGHWAY LESS THEN A HOUR PRIOR, THANK GOD IT DIDN'T BREAK AT THOSE SPEEDS. THE ROAD MAKES A SLIGHT TURN TO THE RIGHT WHEN I HEARD A BANG AND THE LEFT FRONT CORNER OF THE CAR DROPPED. ONCE I SAFELY GOT THE CAR STOPPED WITH STEERING FOUND THE LEFT FRONT TIRE AT A 90 DEGREE ANG

Mileage: 112,294

Compare 2008MAZDACX-7 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 MAZDA CX-7 have?
The 2008 MAZDA CX-7 has 265 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 11 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2008 MAZDA CX-7?
Yes, the 2008 MAZDA CX-7 has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 MAZDA CX-7?
The most-complained component for the 2008 MAZDA CX-7 is AIR BAGS with 51 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and SUSPENSION.
Is the 2008 MAZDA CX-7 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.