2007 Mazda CX-7: engine failure

Filed Sep 18, 2023 · Electrical · 174,000 miles · GA

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.

Filed Aug 27, 2020 · Engine · 76,000 miles · MO

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.

Filed Nov 9, 2019 · Engine · 69,700 miles · NC

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.

Filed Dec 29, 2018 · Engine, Seat belts · CA

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.

Filed Jun 1, 2017 · Engine · 100,000 miles · NJ

Mazda's l-series engines are earning a reputation for variable vale timing (vvt) defects that can cause oil leaks, excessive smoke out of the tailpipe, loose timing chains, and catastrophic engine failure. Mazda has acknowledged the vvt problems in a 'special service program' but, according to owners, has denied warranty coverage in some cases. Because my vehicle is beyond the extended period mazda does not feel they have any responsibility to compensate for this repair. It has been reported that this could cause the engine to stop while on the highway creating a dangerous or deadly condition.

Filed Sep 8, 2016 · Engine · 96,062 miles · CA

Hi, we bought mazda cx-7 grand touring [VIN# last 8 digits: [xxx] used car during oct 2014 in fremont. The car had around 84k miles. We spent around $13k thinking good fit for kids school drop in short distance. Hardly used < 9k miles in 2 years. Timely service has been done. However, recently seeing check engine light on with code p0303 [engine-3] missfires. Replaced spark plugs, perform fluid system cleaning, replace throttle body spending close to $1500+. Check engine still stays on even after this'. Now fremont mazda dealer recommending to replace the engine [which costs around $9k]. Later did some study on web and learnt that mazda cx-7 is very well known for this issues and that is the reason mazda has discontinued the cx-7 model knowing internal turbo related issues. Customers buy cars based on search and reliability considering long term usage [like other cars which runs more than 150k miles] and not expected this. It's pain to see not hardly used 10k+ miles even after spending $15k. Mazda should accept their engine design issue and do some credit to lost costumer. To keep this customer [me] with mazda, mazda should refund the total customer expenses and allow him to by new mazda latest version by paying difference amount. Have attached recent documents from fremont-mazda dealer for your review and support. Highly appreciate your understanding and helping the customer. Home address: [xxx] cell: [xxx] email: [xxx] car details: mazda cx-7 grand touring. Vin# last 8 digits: [xxx] apprx miles: 96k+ regards, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jun 1, 2016 · Engine · 600,000 miles · FL

My daughter with her newborn infant had the vechile stall on them in heavy traffic. The car has 60,000.00 miles and is meticulous maintained. We brought to the dealership and was told it needs a new engine at a cost 9,000.00. I opened a case with mazda corporate case #1-290023-832 and was told that it is an 9 year vechile and they can only offer an employee discount on a new car or 1,5000. This is a safety issue and a manufacturer defective. My daughter and her child could have been injured. Please assist.

Filed Jan 8, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 77,000 miles · CO

While driving on colorado state highway 91 at approx 55 MPH, the vehicle suddenly died. The engine ceased working, all systems ceased immediately. I was unable even to safely pull the car onto the shoulder, the loss of power was so complete and so sudden. The vehicle was 200 miles from my home, and 250 miles from the closest dealer at that point, so I had it towed to the closest garage that would look at it, about 60 miles away. That garage evaluated the car and stated that the timing chain had broken and a new engine would be required, at approximately $6,000 to $8,000. I phoned the closest mazda dealer, in denver, and asked what they recommended. They also stated the engine would have to be replaced, at a cost of $8,000 to $9,000. I contacted the garage closest to my home and asked their advice. They stated they had experience replacing the timing chains and repairing engine damage in other vehicles and that they could diagnose whether that was an option. Their guess on cost was between $2,000 and $4,000 if the repair were possible and there was not too much damage to valves. Since the shop that is 25 miles from my home recommended repair at less than 1/2 the cost of the dealer 200 miles from my home, I elected to take it there. Upon research I found 1. The VIN # is one in a series with known timing chain failure, and that a heavier duty one had been issued to replace; 2. The dealer had replaced the vvt previously and should have replaced the timing chain at that time according to service bulletin 01-012/12, but did not replace the timing chain; 3. The failure happened 4 days after the expiration of the engine warranty and 7,000 miles over the 7yr/70,000 mi period; 4. Mazda would not honor the warranty since the repairs were done by an independent shop, not a dealer. Mazda knows that this VIN# is in a range of vehicles with this issue but will not fix.

Filed Nov 6, 2014 · Engine · 77,876 miles · CO

Mazda cx-7, 2007 - four days and 7,000 miles out of warranty. Driving on the highway, the engine suddenly quit suddenly and the car died. The VIN number on the car is in the range of numbers from 2007 that have reported the same and similar defects many times from other car owners. The vvt actuator failed and was replaced by dealer penkhus mazda under warranty in 2009, but the chain was not replaced. Research into mazda service bulletins sb-10044209-4285 and 01-012-12 indicate that the timing chain should have been replaced at the time since the VIN number indicates the vehicle was produced prior to a mazda timing chain modification date of may 1, 2009 (VIN #'s below jm3er...300119). My vehicle falls into this group. Mazda issued a warranty extension to 7 years, 70,000 miles for this faulty timing chain in january 2012 but is now refusing to honor any warranty on the premature failure of the timing chain. Vehicle was towed to nearest shop at the time, +/-50 mi. Shop said timing chain was broken and a new engine probably needed. Estimated cost $8,000. I phoned nearest dealers in denver and colorado springs to discuss with service departments. They advised if it was timing chain failure it could easily be a new engine at $8 - 10,000. My home is between 175 and 225 miles from the nearest dealer. I contacted my local shop who advised me to contact kracl automotive in glenwood springs. Kracl said they would definitely look at it, determine cause of failure and attempt to repair prior to recommending total engine replacement. I had the car towed another 100 miles to glenwood springs, 22 miles from my home, and the closest capable repair shop. Kracl advised me the timing chain had broken and two valves were damaged but not the cylinder head. Repair estimated at +/- $4,000. Repairs were completed with special order mazda parts cost of $3,851.21.

Filed Sep 1, 2014 · Engine · 49,436 miles · DE

After leaving a family member's out of state home early on monday august 25, 2014 morning noticed a noise coming from the front of the vehicle. Approximately 5 miles later a burning smell and smoke started coming from the engine compartment along with loud squealing. Pulled onto shoulder of road and shut off vehicle. I opened the hood and it was obvious something had burned up but didn't easily identify what. Called aaa for a tow to nearest mazda dealer. Was informed later in the day by the dealer that the AC compressor had seized up and ruined the serpentine belt as well. They didn't have the parts to fix it which resulted in having to rent a car for 5 days to return home and back to pick up vehicle on saturday. Later found out there was an extended warranty on the compressor for 5 yrs/60k miles which meant that there was no coverage on my vehicle since it was 7 years old even though it had only 49k miles on it. Total cost with towing, the car rental and repair was $1667. They also "found" the starter was bad and a blown fusible link for which they charged another $648. I think they caused the started and fusible link damage trying to start the vehicle with the seized up AC compressor as I never had any problem with the starter before and didn't attempt to start it after I had pulled over and turned engine off.

Filed Jul 18, 2013 · Engine · 52,000 miles · CA

A friend of ours was driving to pick us up from the airport (our car hadn't been started for a couple of weeks) and, about 15 miles into the trip, the AC quit working. When he got to the airport, the car engine was smoking, there was a burning smell coming from the engine, and it sounded like a bearing was out of whack. We drove it home (approximately 45 miles), and the noise got louder and the engine started rattling louder and louder the closer we got to home. We took it to a mazda dealership this morning, and they informed us that the AC compressor had seized and it, along with the belt (in addition to any other parts that may have been damaged) needed to be completely replaced and the refrigerant flushed/refilled. I did research and found out that this is a very common, known issue in 2007 mazda cx-7's with low mileage.

Filed May 29, 2013 · Engine · 65,000 miles · TX

While driving on the highway I heard a ticking noise after a few seconds later the car lost power and smoke came out of the exhaust. When I pulled over I took the cover off from the engine and noticed that there was oil coming out from where the top of the oil goes.the oil pressure on the block was compromised due to failure of the turbo. When taken to the roger beasley mazda dealership and the car was cranked the dip stick shot out from the engine. The dealership indicated that there was carbon build up but could not explain why. The car was towed to another acs certified mechanic and confirmed that the engine failure was due to the failure of the turbo. Before taking the trip on 4-18-2013 I took my car the mazda of mesquite dealership because I heard a ticking noise and the technician indicated that the noise was normal. Also the technician performed msp 36 reflashed PCM with updated software and cleared all fault codes since there was a recall. Three weeks later the engine goes out. The manufacture warranty expired, but have a in service warranty. The in service warranty agency denied the claim indicating that it was not normal wear and tear of the engine failure. I contacted the dealership and also emailed the manufacture to express my concern and both agencies directed me back to the in service warranty. Both the dealership and in service warranty are not willing to assist in the cost being that the cx7 model is a lemon in my opinion. There have been many claims against this model by other consumers in which was confirmed by the employees at the georgetown roger beasley mazda dealership. The employees indicated that the cx7 model has a lot of problems that is why the cx5 replaced the cx7 model. Since the claim was denied I have spent over 1000 which does not include any repairs, on a side note I was 300 miles away from home.