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.
The worst 2007 Mazda CX-7 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine316
- Airbags102
- Suspension59
- Transmission53
- Electrical29
- Steering20
- Tires19
- Fuel system11
- Lights11
- Body8
- Acceleration7
- Brakes6
- Seat belts5
- Visibility5
- Driver assistance4
- Locks2
- Wheels2
- Seats1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2007 Mazda CX-7
Engine failure 70Fire or smoke 64Check engine light 38Loss of power 37Stalling 23Airbag light 22Ball joint 20Grinding brakes 20Knocking 18Power steering loss 16Won't start 13Headlights 7Overheating 7Whining noise 7
Recalls 4
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 19V782000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 17V457000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 17V429000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 16V593000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2007 Mazda CX-7 253
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below
- Description
- Product Quality Information (PQI) DESCRIPTION Service Information MT-041/12 is no longer valid
- This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red....
- If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...),...
- A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating
- Exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.) when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows
- When replacing the SiriusXM satellite radio unit, a call must be made to inform SiriusXM of the existing...
- Some customers may complain about a noisy HVAC blower motor or odor after a cabin air filter replacement
2007 Mazda CX-7 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4‑cyl | FWD | 17 | 22 | 19 |
| 2.3L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 16 | 22 | 18 |
What 2007 Mazda CX-7 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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 the federal safety agency to compel mazda to compensate owners who experienced engine failure due to this documented design flaw.
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 the federal safety agency. 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).
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.
Compare the 2007 Mazda CX-7
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Questions about the 2007 Mazda CX-7
Is the 2007 Mazda CX-7 reliable?
Owners have filed 528 complaints about the 2007 Mazda CX-7, 3.4 times a typical CX-7 model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2007 Mazda CX-7 year score?
The 2007 Mazda CX-7 scores 28 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mazda CX-7: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2007 Mazda CX-7?
Engine and cooling, with 316 complaints, typically around 62,000 miles. Next is airbags (102).
How many recalls does the 2007 Mazda CX-7 have?
4 recalls, covering air bags and suspension.
What year does the Mazda CX-7 have bad engine?
The Mazda CX-7 model years with the most engine complaints are 2007 (316 complaints), 2008 (84 complaints) and 2010 (22 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2007 Mazda CX-7 get?
Official estimates for the 2007 Mazda CX-7 range from 18 to 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.3L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 17 city and 22 highway.
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