The Lemon Index
20081st generation
Avoid · most complaints: engine
176 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 1322007 Ford Edge 902007 Nissan Murano 148
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2007 Mazda CX-7
- A/C compressor128 complaintsmostly at 40,000–65,000 miles (64,000–105,000 km)
- Timing chain105 complaintsmostly at 61,000–92,000 miles (98,000–149,000 km)
- Turbocharger71 complaintsmostly at 55,000–91,000 miles (89,000–146,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 528 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2007 Mazda CX-7 (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 32,000 and 56,000 miles (51,000–89,000 km) (the middle half of the 168 complaints, of all 176 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V782000 (airbags), 17V457000 (airbags) and 17V429000 (airbags) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Mazda sent dealers 252 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Variable valve timing (vvt) noise when starting engine”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mazda's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 176 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 32K to 55K miles (51K to 89K km) on the car (168 of all 176 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Timing belt broke at 80,000 miles requiring a new engine.
2007 Mazda CX-7 owner · NHTSA complaint 10365772
More owner reports
Air compressor blew off with broke in pulley and belt.
NHTSA complaint 10279053
Ac compressor locked up causing car to stall in middle of street and smoke coming from under hood.
NHTSA complaint 10298768
Problems Mazda told dealers about
Mazda sent dealers 252 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Variable valve timing (vvt) noise when starting engine
- There is a rattle noise from the engine due to a stretched timing chain
- See document search button for owner letter
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
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.
Show all 5 recalls
- Suspension · recall issued 2016
In the affected vehicles, water may enter the front suspension ball joint fittings.
- Equipment · recall issued 2009
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,950–$4,200 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.3L 4-cyl.
Every Mazda CX-7 year. 2007 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2007 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mazda-cx-7/?y=2007" title="Mazda CX-7 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mazda-cx-7/2007/">Lemon Index</a> (2007 Mazda CX-7 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2007 Mazda CX-7 reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 3 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 311; 100 is average, lower is better). The Mazda CX-7 year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2007 Mazda CX-7 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (69%), equipment & accessories (14%) and transmission & drivetrain (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2007 Mazda CX-7 have?
5 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2007 Mazda CX-7 get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2007 Mazda CX-7 problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 32,000 and 56,000 miles (51,000–89,000 km) (the middle half of the 168 complaints, of all 176 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2007 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2007 Mazda CX-7 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2007 Mazda CX-7 cost in fuel a year?
About $3,950 to $4,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2007 Mazda CX-7 have?
2.3L 4-cyl.
What Mazda CX-7 year is better than the 2007?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2011 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works