2008 Mazda CX-7 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
265 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2008 Mazda CX-7, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 32/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 59,300 miles.
Typical
Where 2008 sits among all CX-7 years
What owners report
“Vvt and timing chain noise and heavy engine rattle at start up, 72,000 miles on vehicle mazda refuses any kind of warranty on engine.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 CX-7
“Also the bearings are recalled. We received two letters from the mazda recall department, stateing the recalls.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 CX-7
“I have a lot of problems with the suspension i know the mazda cx 7 has a recall before i buy this car, how i can find more information if the previous owner fixes the problem and attend the suspension recall issue. I need a letter to fix this problem or who i need to contact. I don't feel…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 CX-7
“These headlights and taillights and even inside the car dome lights are dangerously dim. Even with lights on bright it is difficult to see”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 CX-7
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 169 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 62,636 miles. Half of those reports fall between 44,000 and 89,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (5)
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…
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,…
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…
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,…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
Fix: 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…
Technical service bulletins
241 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2008 Mazda CX-7. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2008 Mazda CX-7 reliable?
The 2008 Mazda CX-7 drew 265 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 32/100, scored against the model's worst year (2007).
What are the most common 2008 Mazda CX-7 problems?
The top reported problems for the 2008 Mazda CX-7 are engine (84 complaints), airbags (53), and suspension (40).
At what mileage do 2008 Mazda CX-7 problems show up?
Owners most often report 2008 Mazda CX-7 problems around 62,636 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 44,000 and 89,000 miles.
Does the 2008 Mazda CX-7 have recalls?
5 recall campaigns apply to the 2008 Mazda CX-7. At least one carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning — check your VIN before driving.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.