The Lemon Index
200720091st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: engine
51 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee 1322008 Ford Edge 632008 Hyundai Santa Fe 131
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2008 Mazda CX-7
- A/C compressor25 complaintsmostly at 39,000–61,000 miles (63,000–98,000 km)
- Turbocharger22 complaintsmostly at 40,000–81,000 miles (64,000–130,000 km)
- Engine stalling17 complaintsmostly at 37,000–79,000 miles (59,000–127,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 192 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 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 27,000 and 56,000 miles (43,000–90,000 km) (the middle half of the 46 complaints, of all 51 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 243 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “There is a rattle noise from the engine due to a stretched timing chain”?
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 51 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 27K to 56K miles (43K to 90K km) on the car (46 of all 51 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
2008 Mazda CX-7 a/c compressor failure sending sparks out from unit, inside engine bay.
2008 Mazda CX-7 owner · NHTSA complaint 10289287
More owner reports
2008 Mazda cx7, a/c compressor locked up,bought it brand new from dealer and only at 14,500 miles it locks up on me.
NHTSA complaint 10278376
Ac compressor shaft failure and fell off. Car was 18 months old.
NHTSA complaint 10276731
Problems Mazda told dealers about
Mazda sent dealers 243 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- There is a rattle noise from the engine due to a stretched timing chain
- See document search button for owner letter
- Variable timing (vvt) noise and/or timing chain noise
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. 2008 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 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mazda-cx-7/?y=2008" 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-7/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Mazda CX-7 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Mazda CX-7 reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 192; 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 2008 Mazda CX-7 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (55%), equipment & accessories (12%) and transmission & drivetrain (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 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 2008 Mazda CX-7 get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Mazda CX-7 problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 27,000 and 56,000 miles (43,000–90,000 km) (the middle half of the 46 complaints, of all 51 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2008 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 2008 Mazda CX-7 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 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 2008 Mazda CX-7 have?
2.3L 4-cyl.
What Mazda CX-7 year is better than the 2008?
Nearby, the 2011 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a third as many complaints as the average car).
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