VehicleVerdict

2007 Mazda CX-7 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 716 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.5 times the median CX-7 year — the 2007 model ranks #1 of 7 CX-7 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 27 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 45% of all reports (324 of 716), far ahead of airbags at 103.

716

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

17

Crash-involved

45

Fires reported

27

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2007 compare to other CX-7 years?

CX-7 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2007 highlighted716 complaints2007: 716 complaints2008: 265 complaints2009: 85 complaints2010: 215 complaints2011: 202 complaints2012: 59 complaints2013: 2 complaints
CX-7 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2007 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all CX-7 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2007 Mazda CX-7 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine32445%
Airbags10314%
Suspension598%
Transmission537%
Electrical System335%
Other314%
Tires & Wheels223%
Steering203%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)152%
Lighting112%
Fuel System112%
Body & Structure81%
Speed Control71%
Brakes61%
Visibility & Wipers51%
Seat Belts51%
Latches & Locks20%
Seats10%

Does the 2007 Mazda CX-7 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V782000AirbagsOctober 31, 2019 · 69,879 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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, 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.

17V457000AirbagsJuly 18, 2017 · 79,402 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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 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.

17V429000AirbagsJune 29, 2017 · 205,377 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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, 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.

16V593000SuspensionAugust 11, 2016 · 190,102 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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 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.

09E011000OtherApril 2, 2009 · 2,323 units

Defect

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 CONTACT THULE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-238-2388.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR ON MY 2007 MAZDA CX-7 WITH APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES QUIT WORKING AND THE AIR CONDITIONER STARTED BLOWING HOT AIR. THE FAULTY COMPRESSOR CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE, START SMOKING PROFUSELY AND STARTED AN INTERNAL FIRE THAT SEVERELY DAMAGED THE ENGINE AND NEARLY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 31, 2009 · fire

ANOTHER DRIVER TURNED IN FRONT OF ME, FAILING TO YIELD THE RIGHT-OF-WAY. I WAS DOING THE SPEED LIMIT (45 MPH) UPON ENTERING THE INTERSECTION. WHEN MY CX-7 MADE CONTACT WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE OF HER MINIVAN, NONE OF MY AIRBAGS EVER DEPLOYED. MY SHOULDER, NECK AND HIP (I STILL NEED SURGERY ON ALL 3…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 17, 2010 · crash

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.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · May 1, 2016 · crash

STARTED SMELLING STRONG BURNING RUBBER ODOR EMANATING THROUGH VENTS OF CAR WHILE IN OPERATION, EXITED HIGHWAY UPON SEEING WHITE SMOKE FUMING FROM UNDER HOOD. LOSS CONTROL OF STEERING AND VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT CRANK AGAIN. MECHANIC DETERMINED AC COMPRESSOR HAS SEIZED AND SERPENTINE BELT WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 22, 2013 · fire

I GOT INTO A MAZDA FORUM WHERE MANY COSTUMERS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING CLUTCH FAILURE (SEIZED) LOOSING POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. TURBO FAILURE, CAUSING ENGINE OVERHEATING. TIMING BELT FAILURE. I CAN NOT FIND ANY RECALLS ABOUT THESE FAILURES. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 12, 2009 · fire

2007 Mazda CX-7 — common questions

Is the 2007 Mazda CX-7 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 716 complaints put the 2007 model at #1 of 7 CX-7 years. It is one of the CX-7 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2007 CX-7 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (324 complaints), airbags (103 complaints), suspension (59 complaints).

Does the 2007 Mazda CX-7 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2007 Mazda CX-7. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mazda CX-7 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the CX-7 years to avoid are 2007. The cleanest record among CX-7 years belongs to 2013.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.