2008 Mazda CX-7

● Typical for this model
2008 Mazda CX-7
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:48:46.041Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mazda CX-7 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2008 highlighted. 2007: 528 complaints 2007 2008: 191 complaints 2008 2009: 64 complaints 2009 2010: 155 complaints 2010 2011: 152 complaints 2011 2012: 39 complaints 2012 2013: 1 complaints 2013
2008: 191 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
2007528
2008191
200964
2010155
2011152
201239
20131

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 27%

27% of complaints: air bags — 51 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

NOV. 2015 I WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT ON I435 IN WHICH THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHICH I INHALED THE GAS, WHICH DISORIENTED ME FOR AWHILE. AFTER REGAINING MY SENSES DISCOVERED MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171101

ENGINE 23%

23% of complaints: engine — 44 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015, I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 MAZDA CX-7 AND I STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150127

SUSPENSION 19%

19% of complaints: suspension — 37 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 14%

14% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 27 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

ON MY WAY TO WORK I GLANCED IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT FROM BEHIND MY CAR. I LOOKED AT MY GAUGES AND NOTICED THAT MY BATTERY LIGHT WAS ON AND MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS ALL THE WAY ON HOT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120824

PURCHASED VEHICLE IN 1/2008. 2008 MAZDA CX-7 WE TOOK A TRIP FROM SALT LAKE CITY, UT TO LAS VEGAS, NV THE WEEKEND OF MAY 1-3, 208.

NHTSA ODI report, 20090624

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 7%

7% of complaints: exterior lighting — 14 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20090417 — equipment

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, MODEL

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 1-8

Campaign 09E011000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170830 — air bags

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Mazda6, and 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles.

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.

Campaign 17V429000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170920 — suspension

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.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower control arms, free of charge.

Campaign 16V593000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20171004 — air bags

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,...

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.

Campaign 17V457000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191203 — air bags

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2012 CX-7, CX-9, and 2009-2012 Maza6 vehicles.

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.

Campaign 19V782000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2008 Mazda CX-7 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (51 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (44 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (37 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 09E011000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V429000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V593000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V457000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V782000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2012 ▲ 2009 ● 2011

WORST YEARS

■ 2007 ● 2010 ● 2011

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2008 Mazda CX-7 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Mazda CX-7 is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mazda CX-7?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2008 Mazda CX-7 have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.