2008 Mazda CX-7 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Dec 30, 2021 · 191 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other CX-7 years
More complaints than other years 2nd of 7 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 191 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Mazda CX-7. That ranks 2nd out of 7 CX-7 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (53 complaints, 28%), typically at around 96,000 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 9 fires, 2 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year.

Mazda CX-7
2006–2009 Mazda CX-7 (ER) Classic wagon. Photographed in Cronulla, New South Wales , Australia.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: OSX, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2008 Mazda CX-7 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Air Bags53 · ~96,000 mi
Engine44 · ~76,100 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling40 · ~42,000 mi
Suspension40 · ~112,294 mi
Exterior Lighting14 · ~68,000 mi
Power Train14 · ~79,000 mi
Electrical System12 · ~61,000 mi
Steering8 · ~54,595 mi
Unknown or Other8 · ~82,500 mi
Equipment5 · ~44,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Air Bags problems5328%96,000“air bags suspension” (28%)—
Engine4423%76,100——
Engine and Engine Cooling4021%42,000——
Suspension4021%112,294——
Exterior Lighting147%68,000——
Power Train147%79,000——
Electrical System126%61,000——
Steering84%54,595——
Unknown or Other84%82,500——
Equipment53%44,000——
Fuel System, Gasoline42%57,100——
Tires42%21,000——
Fuel/propulsion System32%76,100——
Wheels32%62,636——
Structure21%67,000——
Visibility21%29,263——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)11%95,000——
Equipment Adaptive/mobility11%65,000——
Latches/locks/linkages11%80,000——
Seat Belts11%27,000——
Seats11%56,100——
Service Brakes11%78,500——
Vehicle Speed Control11%97,000——
Visibility/wiper11%68,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2017, with 43 complaints
2008: 2200822009: 172009172010: 212010212011: 112011112012: 132012132013: 212013212014: 142014142015: 9201592016: 212016212017: 432017432018: 7201872019: 1201912020: 102020102021: 120211

n = 191 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2008 Mazda CX-7 recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveOct 31, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V782000 · 69,879 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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 moduleDo not driveJul 18, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V457000 · 79,402 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveJun 29, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V429000 · 205,377 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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.

Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball jointAug 11, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V593000 · 190,102 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

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…

Air Bags · received Dec 30, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11445586

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…

Electrical System · received Dec 24, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11384891

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

Engine · received Dec 20, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11384218

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…

Engine · received Dec 9, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11378612

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

Air Bags · received Oct 12, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11363962

Other Mazda CX-7 years

← 2007 CX-7 · 2009 CX-7 →

YearComplaintsRecalls
2013 CX-710
2012 CX-7394
2011 CX-71534
2010 CX-71555
2009 CX-7655
20081914
2007 CX-75284

See all Mazda CX-7 problems by year, every Mazda model, or the Mazda VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mazda CX-7?

Owners most often report air bags, engine, engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 53 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Mazda CX-7?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2008 Mazda CX-7 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other CX-7 model years, the 2008 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.