NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 528 owner complaints for the 2007 Mazda CX-7. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (206) and engine (112). The EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“I HAVE A 2007 MAZDA CX7, MY VEHICLE HAS 71,000 MILES I HAVE NOTICED A RATTLING NOISE FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS. I VISIT THREE MECHANICS AND ALL THREE MECHANICS ARE TELLING ME IT'S THE VVT TIMING CHAIN. THE COST THE REPAIR MY VEHICLE IS $3,000 TO $4,000 DOLLARS. I CONTACT THE MAZDA DEALER AND BECAUSE I HAVE NO WARRANTY I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. SO I BEGIN TO DO MY RESEARCH ONLINE. I REALIZED THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHER MAZDA CX7 OWNERS THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AS I. WHAT A COINCIDENCE MAZDA HAS DISCONTINUED MANUFACTURING THE MAZDA CX7. THIS IS A MANUFACTURE ISSUE AND MAZDA NEEDS TO OWN UP FOR IT. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE LOSING THEIR VEHICLES DUE TO THIS VVT TIMING CHAIN ISSUE AND MAZDA NEEDS TO MAKE THIS A RE-CALL. I KNOW ONE THING I HOPE AND PRAY NOTHING HAPPENS TO ME WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I WILL NOT HESITATE TO FILE A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE MAZDA CORP. I HOPE SOMEONE CAN HELP ALL OF US WHO ARE CURRENT OWNERS OF MAZDA CX7. I WILL USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO SPREAD AWARENESS. *TR”
“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.”
“BEFORE I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE I HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN TO STAR MAZDA AN AUTHORIZED DEALER IN GLENDALE TWICE FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT WARNING SIGN WHICH HAD BEEN LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD. TWICE STAR MAZDA CHARGED ME $140.00 FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHT. AFTER I RECEIVED THE NOTICE I TOOK THE CAR IN AND AFTER TWO HOURS THEY INDICATED THAT THEY REPLACE THE PARTS NEEDED AND IT IS A SIMPLE RECALL AND ITS NOT SO IMPORTANT. THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT IS STILL LIT ON THE DASHBOARD AND MY REGULAR MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AIRBAG MIGHT NOT FUNCTION ON MY CAR SINCE THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT IS LIT. PLEASE ADVISE. I HAVE ANOTHER MAZDA WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE DEALER REFUSES TO RESOLVE THE AIRBAG WARNING SIGN WHICH IS ON RIGHT AFTER I TURN ON THE VEHICLE. THE OTHER MAZDA VIN # IS [XXX]. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CX-7 2WD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | $4,200 | 468 |
| CX-7 4WD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,400 | 494 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 528 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (206), engine (112), air bags (102). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2007 Mazda CX-7 at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).