Problems · NHTSA complaints

2008 Mazda CX-7 problems

Owners filed 192 complaints about the 2008 Mazda CX-7 with NHTSA between Mar 2008 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (53).

Complaints
192
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
9
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags53
  2. Engine44
  3. Suspension41
  4. Engine and engine cooling40
  5. Power train14
  6. Exterior lighting14
  7. Electrical system12
  8. Steering8
  9. Tires5
  10. Equipment5
  11. Wheels4
  12. Fuel system, gasoline4
  13. Fuel/propulsion system3
  14. Service brakes2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20082
200917
201021
201111
201213
201321
201414
20159
201621
201743
20187
20191
202010
20211
20220
20230
20240
20250
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

53 reports2 crashes3 related recalls
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 30, 2021Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11445586

Engine

44 reports1 fire
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 20, 2020Power train, Wheels, EngineODI 11384218

Suspension

41 reports1 related recall
“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 .”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2026Suspension, Wheels, Service brakesODI 11772476

Engine and engine cooling

40 reports6 fires
“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. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 13, 2014Engine and engine coolingODI 10588017

Power train

14 reports1 crash1 fire
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 9, 2020Suspension, Power train, EngineODI 11378612

Exterior lighting

14 reports1 fire
“HEADLIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY DIM. INSIDE HOUSING FOR HEADLIGHTS IS MELTED FROM OVERHEATING, MAKING HEADLIGHTS INEFFECTIVE. DRIVING AT NIGHT IS NOT SAFE AND DOWN RIGHT DANGEROUS. VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR ALL YEARS OF THIS VEHICLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 15, 2019Exterior lightingODI 11170238
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.