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2007 Mazda Cx-7

The Verdict

24 Check Engine

The 2007 Mazda Cx-7 has 526 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (321 complaints) and electrical (108 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 24/100, it earns a "Check Engine" rating. If you're shopping for a Mazda Cx-7, consider the 2012 model year which has 92% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2012 has 92% fewer complaints

View the 2012 Mazda Cx-7 dashboard →

24

Klunk Score: Check Engine

More complaints than most vehicles. Known issues exist — budget for potential repairs.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 4

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

17V457000 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, ...

Risk

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 inflato...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

17V429000 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 ...

Risk

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, ...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

19V782000 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 un...

Risk

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, f...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

16V593000 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 ...

Risk

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 vehic...

Reported Nov 8, 2016

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200775510832117
200836162866
200918221212
201055667233
20115647886
20121412121

By Category

Engine
321
Electrical
108
Body
75
Transmission
17
Brakes
5

By Severity

1
226
2
260
3
3
4
37

Worst Problems

Complaints

Body 2

One of the Prinx HiCountry HT2 tires (size 235/60R18) developed a structural failure shortly after installation. The tire repeatedly lost air with no visible puncture. I first took it to a local tire shop, which could not locate the source of the leak. The problem continued, so I brought the tire to a second independent tire shop, where a technician inspected it and confirmed the issue was caused by a thin steel belt wire protruding through the tread near the shoulder area. They marked the defect with white tire chalk and determined the tire was not repairable under safety guidelines. The failure originated from inside the tire, not from an external object. The tire is still in my possession and available for inspection. No warning lights appeared prior to the failure; the only symptom was repeated pressure loss.

3mo ago
Electrical 1

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 they’re very dangerous, can’t see anything at night.

15mo ago
Electrical 2

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.

34mo ago
Electrical 2

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.

64mo ago
Engine 1

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.

71mo ago
Engine 1

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 HANDLE. WE AGREED IN PURCHASE CONTRACT THAT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD PUT ONE ON IF I PURCHASED IT. I JUST FOUND IT STRANGE HOW YOU COULD SELL A CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP WITHOUT A DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE. THAT IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN INCASE SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN AND THAT WAS THE ONLY DOOR TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. I ALSO REALIZE NOW THAT THE TRUNK DOES NOT OPEN, THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. I WILL BE GETTING A COPY OF THEIR MECHANIC'S REPORT WHERE HE STATED THAT IT IS HIS PROFESSIONAL OPINION THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD IN THIS CONDITION. I HAVE REQUESTED A REFUND WHICH INITIALLY,( VERBALLY) I WAS TOLD WE WOULD GET IF IT IN FACT WAS SOLD IN THAT MANNER BUT NOW THEY HAVE BACKED OUT OF THAT. *TR

76mo ago
Electrical 2

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

78mo ago
Engine 1

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." INTERESTINGLY, MAZDA SAID THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BEEN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY WITH A PREVIOUS OWNER. THAT DATE AND LOCATION COINCIDED WITH A DATE OF SERVICE SHOWN ON CARFAX FOR TYPICAL MAINTENANCE ONLY. THAT DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD NOT POSSIBLY DO ANY WORK WITHOUT IT SHOWING ON CARFAX. I WONDER WHO MAZDA PAID FOR THE WARRANTY CLAIM... I WANT NHTSA TO COMPEL MAZDA TO COMPENSATE OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO THIS DOCUMENTED DESIGN FLAW.

81mo ago
Electrical 2

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

81mo ago
Electrical 1

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.

82mo ago
Electrical 1

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.

82mo ago
Electrical 2

TAMARA RECALL

84mo ago
Electrical 2

' 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.

85mo ago
Electrical 4

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.

87mo ago
Engine 2

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 STILL DOESN'T WANT TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT.

90mo ago
Engine 2

MAZDA IS AWARE THAT THE CX-7 IS A HORRIBLY MADE CAR WHICH CAN BE NOTED WITH THE EXTENSIVE LIST OF RECALLS WHICH THE COMPANY HAS PUT OUT SINCE ITS CREATION. ENGINE FAILURE BEING THE BIGGEST CONCERN TO THE SAFETY OF PEOPLE ON THE ROAD. ENGINE FAILURE AT 70MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY CAN RESULT IN DEATH. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO HAVE MAZDA COMPENSATE ALL OWNERS FOR DEFECTICE VEHICLES. MY ENGINE FAILED AND MAZDA WAS OF NO HELP.

91mo ago
Electrical 2

AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND ONLY GOES OFF WHEN CAR IS SHUT OFF.

94mo ago
Electrical 2

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.

94mo ago
Engine 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX-7. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. NORTH FRONTIER AUTO (205 8TH AVE SE, PINE CITY, MN) WAS CALLED AND DIAGNOSED THAT AN UNKNOWN SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET THE BATTERY JUMPSTARTED AND DROVE TO NORTH FRONTIER AUTO WHERE THE CODES WERE CLEARED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN AND SOLENOID WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SOLENOID FAILURE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE WAS NOT. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY REPAIRED THE TIMING CHAIN. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AXLE, BALL JOINT, AND CONTROL ARM WERE DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURES WERE CONFIRMED AND THE TIMING CHAIN WAS CONFIRMED TO BE INCORRECTLY INSTALLED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 148,000.

96mo ago
Body 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX-7. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONED AND THE DOOR COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S DOOR WAS ALSO LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (MAZDA OF NEW BERN, 1715B US-70, NEW BERN, NORTH CAROLINA) WHO WAS ABLE TO PRY THE DOORS OPEN AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCKING MECHANISM CABLES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

97mo ago

526 total

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