CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2008 Mazda CX-7 has numerous reports filed with the NHTSA about engine & A/C problems, continuing these defect trends from the 2007 model year.
Owners report problems with the 2008 CX-7's Variable Valve Timing (VVT) & timing chain failing, causing major damage to the engine — Mazda uses an interference design so typically the valves are bent & the entire engine needs to be replaced. Mazda dealers typically quote $9,000 for an engine replacement.
There is also a trend of the turbo failing at low mileage.
Finally for the 2008 CX-7 there is a clear pattern of A/C compressor failure at relatively low mileage. Owners report smoke & occasionally the serpentine belt catches fire when the A/C compressor clutch seizes while driving. Mazda extended the A/C warranty to 60,000 miles, however many owners report their A/C compressor failed very soon after the 60k mark.
In 2011, Mazda began a "Special Service Program" that extended the warranty to 7 years/70,000 miles covering turbocharger oil leaks & excessive timing chain noise — an early sign of timing chain failure. However coverage under the program requires perfect documentation of all required maintenance with other stipulations. Buyer beware.
4.1
definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,262 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
We have a 2008 Mazda CX7 bought new in 2008 at about 35,677 mile mark our A/C started going in and out not blowing cold air. Took it and the tech air blowing at 46 degrees and pressure good. No major problems after. Just this past weekend my wife is driving the car with my eight tear old on the interstate when the car started smoking severely. She pulls over call me, a brief look over I saw that something was wrong with the A/C clutch area. Now the A/C is out. I'm on my way to Mazda right now and will update status later. Vehicle is out of warranty wouldn't you know. Apparently from research via the internet this is and has been a very common problem. Help! please.....
Air conditioning blows hot air a few times a day. It never fully cools car. At some times it starts blowing so hot that it is more comfortable to turn the A/C off even when it is 105 degrees outside! I have taken the car into Mazda of St. George, Utah twice and they put a thermometer in the vent, tell me it's cold enough and send me on my way. They say they don't know why it blows hot air but that the A/C system is working normally. I have lived in this very hot climate for a very long time and have owned many different cars. All of them were able to cool down the car to a comfortable temperature even in our hot area. When the temperature gets above 100 to 105 degrees the car is too uncomfortable to drive. In fact, my wife will choose to drive my truck (as opposed to her '08 Mazda) as the air conditioner in the truck actually blows cold air.
- Saint George, UT, USA
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- Land O Lakes, FL, USA