2008 Mazda CX-7 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
83/100
#2 most-complained of 7 CX-7 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2008 Mazda CX-7 ranks 2nd worst out of 7 model years with a complaint index of 83 and 191 complaints, driven mainly by engine problems (45% share) and airbag recalls. It carries 4 recalls, including 3 do-not-drive airbag campaigns, and is rated Avoid relative to other CX-7 years.
- Complaints
- 191
- Recalls
- 4
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 9
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 16.5 city / 22.5 hwy
Top 2008 Mazda CX-7 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine85 (45%)
- Airbags53 (28%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires47 (25%)
- Electrical System25 (13%)
- Other14 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain14 (7%)
- Steering8 (4%)
- Fuel System7 (4%)
- Structure & Body4 (2%)
- Brakes2 (1%)
What owners report
- Owners report white or black smoke coming from under the hood, sometimes accompanied by a burning A/C clutch and belt.
- Some vehicles filled with interior smoke while driving, forcing drivers to pull over and shut off the engine.
- Power steering loss has been reported at the same time as engine smoke and warning light activation.
- Owners describe brake light lenses turning cloudy or melting because the bulbs run too hot.
- One owner reported the gear shift failing to lock into park after the ignition was turned off.
- A window motor or switch panel reportedly caught fire while the vehicle was parked and unused.
2008 Mazda CX-7 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V782000Oct 31, 2019Airbags69,879 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
- NHTSA 17V457000Jul 18, 2017Airbags79,402 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
- NHTSA 17V429000Jun 29, 2017Airbags205,377 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
2008 Mazda CX-7 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16.5 MPG
- Highway
- 22.5 MPG
- Combined
- 18.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,325
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other CX-7 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Mazda CX-7 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA data, the 2008 CX-7 ranks 2nd worst of 7 model years with a complaint index of 83, driven largely by engine complaints. It has 4 recalls, 3 of which are do-not-drive airbag campaigns.
- What problems does the 2008 Mazda CX-7 have?
- Engine issues make up 45% of complaints, often involving smoke and belt or clutch failures, with a median mileage of 59,800. Airbag issues account for 28% of complaints, and suspension/wheel issues 25%.
- Does the 2008 Mazda CX-7 have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2008 CX-7, including three do-not-drive airbag inflator recalls and one for front suspension ball joint water intrusion.
- How does the 2008 CX-7 compare to other years?
- The 2008 model has a complaint index of 83, second only to the 2007 model's index of 100. Other years like 2009 through 2012 have lower complaint indexes ranging from 17 to 67 and are rated Caution.