CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2010 Mazda CX-7 appears to share the same engine defects as the three previous model years: VVT/timing chain failure & turbo failure. The timing chain failure is especially bad with many cars requiring an engine replacement ($9,000+).

In 2011, Mazda began a "Special Service Program" that extended the warranty to 7 years/70,000 miles covering 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.

2.5

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,986 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.

2010 Mazda CX-7 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2010 Mazda CX-7 Owner Comments

problem #5

May 132015

CX-7

  • 55,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Tcs and check engine light is on. The car does not have power even if the gas pedal is pressed all the way, the car moves only up to 5 miles per hour (RPM power). Vehicle loses throttle. Ac blows warm when tcs light is on. There is a white smoke from the exhaust. This usually happens after the car is parked for couple hours. The same issue occurs several times within a period of year and a half. My car was @ service shop more than 2 months. I contacted Mazda corporate office in several occasions and they are aware of the issues I have with the car, but they did not respond positively.

- Hollywood, FL, USA

problem #4

Jun 132015

CX-7

  • 55,000 miles
Tcs and check engine light is on. The car does not have power even if the gas pedal is pressed all the way, the car moves only up to 5 miles per hour (RPM power). Vehicle loses throttle. Ac blows warm when tcs light is on. There is a white smoke from the exhaust.

- Hollywood, FL, USA

problem #3

Apr 172016

CX-7

  • 108,000 miles
Was driving and all of a sudden lost power and a howling noise no check engine light came on. Pulled over to see what it was and nothing visible no leaks nothing. Had my wife hit the has and no noise. Stared driving and noise came back and white smoke. Just had an oil change done and next oil change due in about 1000 miles. Drove about 20 mph to get home check oil and it was ok. The white smoke makes me think the turbo went on my car. I just purchased this car in October of 2015. It's been back to the shop for electric problems with the key and radio that still not resolved. Radio shuts off and beeps that key is not in car.

- Waterbury, CT, USA

problem #2

Nov 252012

CX-7 4-cyl

  • 37,530 miles
2010 CX7 grand touring was purchased with 5,844 miles from dealer. We changed the oil & filter every 6,000 miles using recommended oil as shown in the owners manual (5W20). Manual recommendation is to change oil every 7,500 miles with normal driving conditions which is the case as my wife drove to and from work. At 37,000 miles, vehicle was started in 20deg F. temps, warmed up for and experienced loud engine knock. Once driven, vehicle had no power and had troubles getting to hwy speed. Drove the vehicle to the dealer where we purchased it the next day and was informed the engine had excessive engine oil sludge under the oil filler cap. Service dept. Called me the next day and said they would need to pull the valve cover to investigate further to see if Mazda national would cover under warranty. We agreed since we properly maintained the vehicle and had nothing to hide. Two days later we received a call from the dealer and were informed there was excessive sludge and they would need to see receipts from where we changed our oil. We performed our own oil changes and did not keep receipts from the auto parts store where we purchased the oil. Dealer said without the receipts we would not get warranty work done and charged us $260 to do the investigation to better their case. I called national Mazda and all they did was read the notes from the dealer and were not willing to budge. The rep from Mazda ([xxx]) was extremely rude and could care less we were experiencing major issues with a car within the warranty. There are numerous claims similar to ours all over the internet. It appears Mazda has their standard "excessive engine sludge" pitch down as this is the common theme in all CX7 engine problems. We had the engine rebuilt at a local shop (paid $6,100) and now are told the turbo is shot as well which is estimated at another $2,000 to replace.

- Crystal, MN, USA

problem #1

Oct 032012

CX-7 4-cyl

  • 39,400 miles
On October 4 2012 I was told by the Mazda dealer service dept that my timing chain and turbo charger on my 2010 Mazda CX7 went bad and needed to be replaced. My vehicle only has 39400 miles on it and should be covered under Mazda power train warranty. I was told by Mazda warranty department that they would not pay for anything based on sludge build up in the engine. I sent them copies of oil change maintenance as they requested which were done at aprox every 3400 miles as opposed to the required 7500miles. I was told then that they would cover only the timing chain replacement because it was on a recall and that the turbo charger would not be covered at all. They came to this conclusion due to the turbo going bad due to an outside influence what is that I asked and they had no answer. The answer I was given is it will not be covered under warranty and that is that and I have basically no recourse.there is clearly a problem with these CX7 as there are so many similar complaints all over the internet and yet Mazda refuses to pay on these part that should be covered under the powertrain warranty 6yrs/60,000 miles. The car gets too hot and burns the oil and that is what causes the sludge a manufactures defect not neglect on oil change and filter maintenance. Other Mazda owner have the same result whether they oil changed at 3000, 4000, or the required 7500 how can we all have sludge in the engine. Obviously there is a manufacturers defect regarding this entire turbo system. Mazda needs to own up to the defects regarding the CX7 models and honor the customers warranty work. The car has so many problems that they are presently not making it anymore. I do not have the money to layout and wait to be reimbursed possibly by Mazda in the future this is a disgrace. I will never drive another Mazda vehicle again and I will not ever recommend them to any one.

- Oceanside, NY, USA

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