VehicleVerdict

2008 Mazda CX-7 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2008 Mazda CX-7 sits mid-pack among CX-7 years: 265 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 202, with 5 recalls and no defect investigations.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 84 reports (32% of the total).

265

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

11

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other CX-7 years?

CX-7 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted716 complaints2007: 716 complaints2008: 265 complaints2009: 85 complaints2010: 215 complaints2011: 202 complaints2012: 59 complaints2013: 2 complaints
CX-7 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all CX-7 years to avoid →

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

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine8432%
Airbags5320%
Suspension4015%
Transmission145%
Lighting145%
Electrical System135%
Other135%
Steering83%
Tires & Wheels73%
Fuel System73%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%
Body & Structure21%
Speed Control10%
Latches & Locks10%
Brakes10%
Seat Belts10%
Seats10%

Does the 2008 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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX7. WHILE DRIVING BLACK SMOKE WAS EXPELLED THROUGH THE VENTS OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING CLUTCH AND BELT HAD FAILED. HE THEN ADDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 7, 2009 · fire

NOV. 2015 I WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT ON I435 IN WHICH THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHICH I INHALED THE GAS, WHICH DISORIENTED ME FOR AWHILE. AFTER REGAINING MY SENSES DISCOVERED MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 18, 2015 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V593000 (SUSPENSION). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 10, 2016

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. WHEN HE PLACED THE GEAR INTO PARK, IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALL OF THE VEHICLES DO NOT LOCK IN PARK AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE GEAR SHIFT MOVES WHILE THE ENGINE IS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 26, 2008 · crash

THE OEM BULBS IN THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE TOO HOT AND AFTER SOME TIME THE BULBS BURN THROUGH THE PLASTIC, CAUSING THE BRAKE LENSES TO GET CLOUDY, THE PLASTIC TO MELT ONTO THE BULB, AND THE RED TINT TO FADE IN THE BRAKE LIGHTS. MY CAR IS LIKE THIS AND EVERY 2008 CX-7 I'VE SEEN HAS THE SAME THING -…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · January 1, 2016 · fire

2008 Mazda CX-7 — common questions

Is the 2008 Mazda CX-7 reliable?

It is close to typical for the CX-7: 265 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2008 CX-7 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (84 complaints), airbags (53 complaints), suspension (40 complaints).

Does the 2008 Mazda CX-7 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 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.