2008 Mazda CX-7: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Dec 24, 2020 · Electrical · 126,000 miles · GA · fire

Car had been sitting in the driveway for 2 full days with no use. I walked outside to place trash in trash bin and noticed smoke coming from the drivers door. I quickly ran inside, grabbed fire extinguisher and put out the fire.it looks like the fire originated at the window motor or the window switch panel on the drivers side door.

Filed Oct 6, 2017 · Airbags, Electrical · FL

Took car to mazda for airbag recall, replaced airbag but mazda tells me the actual sensor that tells the airbag to deploy does not work and its my responsibility to fix it. Prior to the recall the sensor did not come up on the dash after the recall I now have a light on my dash and mazda is telling me its 700.00 to replace fix and part and labor. Electrical car shorts out all the time, windows, engine, lights work one day not the next when doors open. Car stalls out when driving and system reboots. Other issue is I have spent 7 thousand dollars in repairs on this car. I have black smoke coming out of the tail pipes, ive replaced thousands of dollars in parts. Engine light wont go off. I took it finally to auto zone for a free engine diagnosis to get a print out and now the emissions valves are showing faulty. Its burning 2 quarts of oil about every couple of weeks/monthly basis. Ive replaced motor mounts, coolant/oil parts, air compressor, headlights, bumber, wiper blades, electrical control panels, rocker arms, spoilers that have cracked with weather, the car still needs another motor mount, I now have a knock in the engine like its the lifters and I still have another year on this 5 year loan on this car. I have to keep rolling payments to the back of the loan to keep up with the repairs. Its very frustrating. Ive never had this many problems with any car I have purchased ever!!! Even the parts department at mazda has said what do you expect you purchased a plastic car on wheels. Is there any other people experiencing problems besides myself?

Filed Feb 18, 2015 · Engine · 61,000 miles · IL

I have white smoke coming out of my tailpipe when it idles. I also have a burning oil smell in my car. I have to roll down the windows when I get into my car. I have a 2 1/2 year old and I cant imagine its safe for her to breath this in. I took it to green mazda in springfield il to be repaired, this is a known issue with this vehicle. They installed a ventilation kit. That did not solve the problem. I took it back and now they say there is no problem. So they saw a problem and installed a ventilation kit but now that is doing the same thing there is not a problem. The next step is to replace the turbo, which they will not do. This should be a safety recall.

Filed Jan 27, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 87,177 miles · CA · fire

On sunday, january 4, 2015, I was driving my 2008 mazda cx-7 and I stopped at a stoplight. When I tried to take off when the light turned green, my car hesitated and when I pressed on the gas peddle a little more, it still hesitated then finally took off. All of a sudden, I heard an extremely loud popping noise, and then thick, heavy white smoke started to come out of the tailpipe. The white smoke then started flowing out from under the hood, and it started to come into the car through the air vents. When I tried to pull over and put the car in park, it wouldn't shift into gear, so I pushed the parking break, and it finally stopped. I got out of the car and when I went to grab my purse, I saw fire coming through the bottom air vents ( the ones that blow air on your feet) so I grabbed my purse as quickly as I could, and ran away from the car. Then, I saw part of the engine fall out of the bottom of the car, on fire, and burn into the street. About 5 seconds later, the whole entire car burst into flames. All of the doors were closed, but the intensity of the fire blew both of the passenger side doors open, and blew out all of the windows (including the sunroof, which was closed at the time). When the firefighters finally put the fire out, the car was still smoldering and everything inside was melted. The steering wheel, the seats, the door handles, the mirrors, everything. The fire was so strong that it blew the hood back onto the windshield. All that is left of the car, is just the metal frame, and the engine. The car has a 4 cylinder engine with a turbo feature on it. I believe that is what caused the fire and made the loud popping sound initially.

Filed Jun 20, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 94,000 miles · TX

Vehicle started making a loud whining noise while driving at 55mph. White smoke started pouring out of rear end. We thought the car was on fire. It then wouldn't get over 20mph. Pulled over and called a tow truck.

Filed May 13, 2014 · Engine · 70,000 miles · TX

I had smoke coming from under the hood. Ac compressor was burning up, and entire AC system needed to be replaced, only for the AC to stop outputting cool air on hot days unless I'm driving over 55 MPH.

Filed Oct 17, 2013 · Engine · 35,000 miles · MD

I was driving at about 25mph when I noticed a burning smell. I pulled over and popped the hood and saw smoke coming from the AC compressor. It turns out that this is common for this model. Mazda extended the warranty but of course mine expired this year. It's just a shame that my car has less then 40k miles and mazda has acknowledged this is an inferior part, but wont help cover the cost. There are hundreds of reports of this part failing and breaking the serpentine belt causing the car to lose all power. This should absolutely be a recall. Imagine this happening while on a highway or turning at an intersection.

Filed Feb 20, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 78,000 miles · AL

I purchased the 2008 mazda cx7 about 2 weeks ago and already replaced the compressor I first had white smoke coming out the tail pipe well I didn't think anything of it until someone told me that is not normal so a week later I started hearing noises like a diesel truck and a knocking noise so the next day I went to the dealership that sold me the vehicle and we drove the vehicle and he stated it was fine he then drove again and the vehicle locked up and they told me the compressor locked up now I'm hearing a ticking noise from the engine and they stated it was normal but it still concerns me cause reading other statement have me worried that the engine valve will be next and I don't have money to repair a vehicle I'm a single parent of 4 kids.

Filed Sep 5, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 19,002 miles · NY

Mazda cx-7 2008; I purchased the car in september 2007 and it currently has 19,908 miles. The AC is breaking down. While I'm driving on the highway at 65mph, the pressure or high AC air pressure drops and hot air comes out. I also experienced burning smoke coming through the vents. I had the car inspected by the dealer back on august 3, 2012 and they replaced the valve cover. On september 1, 2012 I was driving again on the highway with my family and we experienced the same problem. The AC pressure dropped, hot air was flowing out of the AC and we smelled burning smoke. I took the car to the dealer this morning and they are now advising me that I have to replace the blower fan which is out of warranty (3 years/36k miles) and will cost $500. I have no problems paying for a part, but the valve cover, blower fan, or AC items shouldn't be breaking down at 19k original miles. I asked wayne mazda service consultant: anthony cunha if the blower fan was part of the AC compressor and he said, "no". I strongly feel that mazda installed faulty AC compressor/units on the 2008 cx-7. This issue has to be investigated before a car catches on fire and people get burned alive or worse, a multiple car crash on the road resulting in deaths.

Filed Aug 24, 2012 · Engine · 87,000 miles · OH · fire

On my way to work I glanced in my rearview mirror and noticed white smoke coming out from behind my car. I looked at my gauges and noticed that my battery light was on and my temperature gauge was all the way on hot. Pulled to the side of the road and, as I pulled over my engine light came on and my power steering went out. I shut off the car and called my husband (who owns a collision repair shop and a tow truck) and told him to come and get me and my disabled car. As I sat in my car waiting, a police officer came to check that I was o.k. The officer sat in his car behind me for about 10 minutes and then backed out and left. Within a few minutes of the officer leaving a gentleman and his wife pulled over a good way up in front of my car. The gentleman got out of his car and started running to me shouting get out, get out, your car is on fire!? The gentleman called 911 to summon the fire department. As we waited for the fire department a highway patrol assistance vehicle pulled over because they had a fire extinguisher. My husband arrived and took the car back to his place of business. Our insurance was company was called and they sent a claims adjuster out to assess the damage. Our claims adjuster determined that the fire had started with the air conditioner and had caused $3,900.00 in damage to the mechanicals of the car.

Filed Jul 23, 2012 · Engine · 65,900 miles · KY

Ac failed on long trip. Temp gauge did not indicate overheating, no warning lights were lit up. After arriving at destination 5 hours from home, turned off engine and saw smoke coming from rt front hood area near wheel. Tried to start, not turning over. Added coolant to over flow (it was empty). Still not starting. No mazda dealer open in area (closest one was 45 miles south in ft wayne. Time was approx 2pm on saturday. Enterprise rent a car also not open except airport locations (they are open 8-12 on sats). Knew there was a w-mart nearby w/ auto service. Our vehicle is parked in large mcdonald's lot near the back out of the way, relatively safe location...clld and spoke w/ [xxx] at wal-mart. He offered to come look at the car after work-w/in 15 min he was there. Because engine not turning over, he at first was concerned engine may have seized up/head gasket blew etc. He isolated the AC clutch as the problem by manually turning over the engine and then taking belt off completely. Started right up... He then proceeded to drive us to airport in ft wayne, had our car towed to his repair shop, accessed the problem area and advised me what part to order.the man is a saint. We spent 4 hours at airport until enterprise took mercy on us and rented us a car even though I only have a debit visa. Part has been ordered from dealer where we purch car.they matched price online of $289.01 and shipping to indiana is only $12 will arrive by end of day tomorrow. Not sure what labor cost will be. Unable to order only clutch from mazda. Don't need pump but will have extra in case it fails in the future. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Oct 20, 2011 · Engine · 11,000 miles · SC

Purchased my 2008 mazda cx7 brand new 12/08/2008. Started noticing white smoke coming out of the tail pipes while idling and I lived in south florida at the time. Dealership stated that the car was leaking oil and they wanted to fix the problem by putting in oil that would cost over $100 per oil change. After putting in the oil the problem continued. Took the car to the dealership again and they then stated that the only fix would be to replace the turbo and that I had to contact corporate to get it fixed. After speaking with corporate the turbo was replaced, but I am now having white smoke coming from the back of the car again and I am at 45,500 miles. This is a problem that I see listed often on this site and with some cars starting on fire. I hope that would not happen, but if mazda has changed the turbo due to this problem in newer models a recall should be looked at to keep the problem from occurring.