2007 Mazda CX-7 Owner Complaints

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.

NHTSA ID

11727854

Incident

Nov 13, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11652659

Incident

Jul 10, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID

11545177

Incident

Sep 7, 2023

Mileage

174,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11405150

Incident

Jun 23, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID

11351539

Incident

Aug 19, 2020

Mileage

76,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11320474

Incident

Mar 14, 2020

Mileage

140,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11307987

Incident

Jul 15, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID

11279145

Incident

Jun 13, 2014

Mileage

69,700 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11271115

Incident

Mar 16, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID

11268667

Incident

Oct 13, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11267671

Incident

Jan 1, 2019

TAMARA RECALL

NHTSA ID

11243705

Incident

Aug 3, 2019

' 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.

NHTSA ID

11229814

Incident

Jul 5, 2019

Mileage

150,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11207797

Incident

May 1, 2016

Mileage

77,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11181220

Incident

Feb 15, 2019

Mileage

115,466 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11163910

Incident

Oct 14, 2015

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

NHTSA ID

11142315

Incident

Aug 28, 2018

Mileage

104,376 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11141746

Incident

Oct 20, 2018

Mileage

134,400 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11122751

Incident

Apr 2, 2018

Mileage

148,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11111939

Incident

May 30, 2018

Mileage

70,000 mi

I HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR MY VEHICLE, BUT SEARCHING YOUR SITE DOES NOT SHOW IT. HOW DO I KNOW WHICH IS TRUE?

NHTSA ID

11105086

Incident

Jul 2, 2018

I HAD THE AIR CONDITIONING FIXED AND IT KEEPS GOING OUT,IT IS IN THE SHOP FOR THE 3RD TIME. THE CAR WILL NOT RUN WITHOUT THIS WORKING,IT IS ALL ON ONE BELT. I WANT MAZDA TO REPLACE THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND GUARENTEE THIS. I WANT MAZDA TO REEMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIRS I MADE 3 TIMES.

NHTSA ID

11103405

Incident

Feb 2, 2018

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V429000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V593000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT CALLED BILL HOOD MAZDA AT 985-345-0321 (333 N MORRISON BLVD, HAMMOND, LA 70401) AND WAS INFORMED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER TO RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE FOR HER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *TT

NHTSA ID

11084018

Incident

Jun 28, 2017

RECALLS MY # [XXX] KEVIN [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM

NHTSA ID

11074228

Incident

Feb 21, 2018

I TOOK MY 2007 MAZDA CX7 FOR SERVICE AND TWO SAFETY RECALLS, LAST YEAR. THE REPLACED THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AT THE FRONT END. THEY ALSO DID THE SAFETY RECALL 9516E=PASSENGER AIR BAG REPLACEMENT. AFTER A WHILE THE AIR BAG DASH RED LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON FOR A WHILE. MY CX7 HAS 97,500 MILES AND NOW MY ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IS A DIESEL ENGINE WHEN I AM AT A STOP TRAFFIC LIGHT. IT SEEMS LIKE THE TIMING CHAIN IS STRETCHING. THEY HAVE NOT ADDED THIS VARIABLE VALVE TIMING DEFECT AS A SAFETY RECALL, AFTER ALL THIS IS A FORD ENGINE AND I WAS EXPECTING THIS MAZDA TO LAST UP TO THE 200,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID

11065973

Incident

Nov 1, 2017

Mileage

93,000 mi