What year Mazda CX-7 should I avoid?

Avoid the 2007 and 2008 CX-7. They rank worst with complaint indexes of 100 and 83, driven mainly by engine and air conditioning compressor failures.

Is any Mazda CX-7 year rated Good or Best?

No. Every CX-7 model year is capped at Caution or worse because each carries recall campaigns, including several Do Not Drive airbag recalls.

Which CX-7 years are the lowest risk?

Among the non-Avoid years, 2009, 2011, and 2012 have the lowest complaint indexes (33, 50, and 17 respectively), though they are still capped to Caution due to recalls.

Does the Mazda CX-7 have an airbag recall?

Yes. Multiple Do Not Drive recalls cover 2007-2012 CX-7 vehicles for passenger frontal airbag inflators, including campaigns 19V782000, 17V457000, and 17V429000.

What is the most common CX-7 problem?

Engine problems are the top issue across all years, totaling 465 complaints or 41% of the model's 1,131 total complaints.

Mazda CX-7 Best and Worst Years (2007–2013)

Avoid the 2007 and 2008 Mazda CX-7, which carry complaint indexes of 100 and 83 and are dominated by engine failures. No CX-7 year earns a Good or Best verdict because every model year carries recall campaigns; 2009, 2011, and 2012 have the lowest complaint indexes among the rest.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2007 Avoid 2008Lowest-risk years:Caution 2009 Caution 2011 Caution 2012

Model years: 7; 2007–2013
NHTSA complaints: 1,131
Recall campaigns: 6
Crashes reported: 24
Fires reported: 42
Top problem area: Engine

CX-7 Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Mazda CX-7 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2007	Avoid	100	528	7	30	4 !	Engine	18.5	—
2008	Avoid	83	191	3	9	4 !	Engine	18.5	—
2009	Caution	33	64	0	1	5 !	Engine	19	—
2010	Caution	67	155	2	2	5 !	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	21	—
2011	Caution	50	153	8	0	4 !	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	20	—
2012	Caution	17	39	4	0	4 !	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	20	—
2013	No verdict	0	1	0	0	0	Engine	—	—

CX-7 years to avoid: what went wrong

2007 Mazda CX-7 Index 100 · 528 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2007 CX-7 has the highest complaint index (100) of any year and 528 total complaints. Engine problems make up 61% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage near 62,920 miles; many owners describe the air conditioner compressor locking up, shredding the serpentine belt, and stalling the engine. Airbags (19%) and suspension/wheels/tires (14%) follow. The year carries 4 recalls, including 3 Do Not Drive airbag inflator campaigns. NHTSA also logged 30 fires and 11 injuries tied to this model year, the highest of any CX-7 year.

2007 engine problems →2007 airbags problems →2007 suspension, wheels & tires problems →

2008 Mazda CX-7 Index 83 · 191 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2008 CX-7 has a complaint index of 83 with 191 total complaints. Engine issues account for 45%, at a median 59,800 miles, again centered on air conditioning compressor failures causing smoke, belt damage, and steering trouble. Airbags account for 28% at a median 96,000 miles, and suspension/wheels/tires 25% at 100,500 miles. This year also carries 4 recalls with 3 Do Not Drive airbag campaigns, plus reports of gear shift and brake-light lens problems.

2008 engine problems →2008 airbags problems →2008 suspension, wheels & tires problems →

Most common Mazda CX-7 problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Engine465 (41%)
Airbags271 (24%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires270 (24%)
Electrical System148 (13%)
Transmission & Powertrain84 (7%)
Other83 (7%)
Steering62 (5%)
Structure & Body32 (3%)
Brakes29 (3%)
Fuel System28 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Mazda CX-7 should I avoid?: Avoid the 2007 and 2008 CX-7. They rank worst with complaint indexes of 100 and 83, driven mainly by engine and air conditioning compressor failures.
Is any Mazda CX-7 year rated Good or Best?: No. Every CX-7 model year is capped at Caution or worse because each carries recall campaigns, including several Do Not Drive airbag recalls.
Which CX-7 years are the lowest risk?: Among the non-Avoid years, 2009, 2011, and 2012 have the lowest complaint indexes (33, 50, and 17 respectively), though they are still capped to Caution due to recalls.
Does the Mazda CX-7 have an airbag recall?: Yes. Multiple Do Not Drive recalls cover 2007-2012 CX-7 vehicles for passenger frontal airbag inflators, including campaigns 19V782000, 17V457000, and 17V429000.
What is the most common CX-7 problem?: Engine problems are the top issue across all years, totaling 465 complaints or 41% of the model's 1,131 total complaints.