NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 Mazda CX-7 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2008 Mazda CX-7 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 192 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mazda dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Mazda CX-7, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2008 Mazda CX-7 owner complaints

Owners have filed 192 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Mazda CX-7, describing incidents dated March 10, 2008 to October 9, 2026.

Most-cited components

Engine 84 complaints
Air Bags 53 complaints
Suspension 41 complaints
Exterior Lighting 14 complaints
Power Train 14 complaints
Electrical System 12 complaints

Of the 192 complaints on file, 3 report a crash and 9 a fire; across all 192 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11772476 · Filed October 20, 2026
Ball joints , control arms , wheel barrings broke into pieces. Tire was angled in grinding on the brakes and rotor. It was bought at a auction from a previous auction buyer. I bought a new frame for the back due to it being bent. I also replaced the exhaust pipe it was cut into pieces. I was very…
ODI #11445586 · Filed December 30, 2021
NHTSA Campaign ID : 09E011000 Mfg's Report Date : MAR 31, 2009 Component : EQUIPMENT Potential Number Of Units Affected : 2323 Summary : THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE…
ODI #11384891 · Filed December 24, 2020
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…

Read all 192 complaints

Owner-reported

2008 Mazda CX-7 mileage at failure

126 of the 192 complaints on file for the 2008 Mazda CX-7 give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Engine	Median 60,000 miles	Middle half 40,000–75,000 miles	Based on 72 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #19V782000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported October 31, 2019 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 69,879 vehicles

Repair completion: 67.9% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 1317F · Owners notified December 3, 2019 · Vehicles built February 14, 2006 – December 16, 2011 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

DO NOT DRIVE — this recall carries a "do not drive" advisory. Contact a Mazda dealer immediately.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #17V457000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported July 18, 2017 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 79,402 vehicles

Repair completion: 62.3% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 1317F · Owners notified October 4, 2017 · Vehicles built February 14, 2006 – January 6, 2009 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

DO NOT DRIVE — this recall carries a "do not drive" advisory. Contact a Mazda dealer immediately.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #17V429000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported June 29, 2017 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 205,377 vehicles

Repair completion: 44.38% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 1317F · Owners notified August 30, 2017 · Vehicles built February 14, 2006 – October 20, 2011 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

DO NOT DRIVE — this recall carries a "do not drive" advisory. Contact a Mazda dealer immediately.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Lower Control Arm and Ball Joint Separation

NHTSA #16V593000 · Suspension — Front — Control Arm — Lower Ball Joint · NHTSA notice

Reported August 11, 2016 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 190,102 vehicles

Repair completion: 56.73% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 9716H · Owners notified September 20, 2017 · Vehicles built February 14, 2006 – May 9, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

AFTERMARKET ROOF MOUNTED LOAD CARRIERS

NHTSA #09E011000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported April 2, 2009 · THULE, INC.

Potentially affected: 2,323 vehicles

Owners notified April 17, 2009

Defect description

THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS.

Safety consequence

THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

THULE WILL MAIL A RETRO FIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THULE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-238-2388.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO THULE AFTERMARKET ROOF MOUNTED LOAD CARRIERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

2008 Mazda CX-7 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

15% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

192 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Mazda CX-7.

Suspension; Wheels; Service Brakes

ODI #11772476

Incident: October 9, 2026 · Filed: October 20, 2026

Ball joints , control arms , wheel barrings broke into pieces. Tire was angled in grinding on the brakes and rotor. It was bought at a auction from a previous auction buyer. I bought a new frame for the back due to it being bent. I also replaced the exhaust pipe it was cut into pieces. I was very concerned with the lower control arm parts being warn out. The dangers of the ball joints or the barring falling apart would have left me in a dier tragedy. I did have a mechanic replace the parts. He did damage to them so I had to uninstall parts and assemble them as precise as should be. I also had to leave my car there was no way I was able to move it without a part busting off. It is being maintained part by part . Its a hassle . I do believe parts were being swapped without me knowing. That is very concerning . I also replaced the tire .

Air Bags

ODI #11445586

Crash

Incident: July 19, 2021 · Filed: December 30, 2021

NHTSA Campaign ID : 09E011000 Mfg's Report Date : MAR 31, 2009 Component : EQUIPMENT Potential Number Of Units Affected : 2323 Summary : THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS. Consequence : THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Remedy : THULE WILL MAIL A RETRO FIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THULE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-238-2388. Notes : THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO THULE AFTERMARKET ROOF MOUNTED LOAD CARRIERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV

Electrical System

ODI #11384891

Fire

Incident: December 24, 2020 · Filed: December 24, 2020

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.

Power Train; Wheels; Engine

ODI #11384218

Incident: November 30, 2020 · Filed: December 20, 2020

I ALREADY HAVE A COMPLAINT BUT I FORGOT TO ADD THAT MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND WON'T COME OFF ALONG WITH MY ENGINE LIGHT IT WON'T EVEN CRANK SINCE WE BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY BECAUSE IDH THE MONEY TO GET IT FIXED AND TRYING TO ASK FOR A RIDE EVERYDAY! THANK YOU SO MUCH

Suspension; Power Train; Engine

ODI #11378612

Incident: December 8, 2020 · Filed: December 9, 2020

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY I HEAR A LOUD NOISE SOUNDED LIKE I WAS IN A BIG RIG TRUCK THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED TO OVERHEAT B4 I COULD PULL OFF OF HIGHWAY IT CUT OFF RIGHT IN THE HIGHWAY I HAD MY GRANDSON WITH ME AND THANK GOODNESS THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC OR WE PROBABLY WOULD'VE BEEN DEAD

Air Bags

ODI #11363962

Incident: October 9, 2020 · Filed: October 12, 2020

I DID RECEIVE 2 AIRBAG RECALLS ,I DID VISIT MAZDA DEALERS FOR REPAIR , THEY DID FIXED ,AND WHEN I CHECKED :RESULT 0 UNREPAIRED RECALLS.BUT I RECEIVED STILL MANY RECALL LETTERS.PLEASE REVIEW AND STOP THOSE LETTERS WHICH BOTHER ME.I 'M SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR HELP. HAVE A GOOD DAY

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11359986

Incident: February 15, 2020 · Filed: September 19, 2020

THESE HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS AND EVEN INSIDE THE CAR DOME LIGHTS ARE DANGEROUSLY DIM. EVEN WITH LIGHTS ON BRIGHT IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE

Unknown or Other

ODI #11349745

Incident: June 1, 2020 · Filed: August 16, 2020

TIMING CHAIN IS RATTLING

Air Bags; Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #11330738

Incident: June 2, 2020 · Filed: June 25, 2020

WHEN DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON. THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, I TRY TO TURN IT OFF BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE, THE BRAKE IS STIFF AND WILL NOT DISENGAGE. THE ONLY WAY TO DISENGAGE IS BY PUSHING THE ON OFF BUTTON ON STEERING WHEEL. *TR

Engine

ODI #11309268

Incident: February 3, 2020 · Filed: February 14, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX7. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER SPOUSE DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS NOR WAS IT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO ASSISTANCE PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.

Other Mazda CX-7 model years

Check your 2008 Mazda CX-7 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mazda CX-7 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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