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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,407 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2010 Mazda CX-7 Owner Comments

problem #10

Jan 012022

CX-7

  • miles

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

Low beam headlamps are extremely dim. Have bought new replacement headlamps and are still very dim. Bought both replacement headlamp housings thinking wiring could be compromised but that didn't help either. Replacing headlamps is difficult due to having to remove either the front tires OR the front entire bumper assembly to switch out lamps. No fog lights are present on this model so makes driving at night very difficult. and unsafe.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #9

Jul 202022

CX-7

  • miles
My daughter was driving a 4 hour trip in Florida on I-95 Halfway into the trip she pulled into a parking lot to stop for lunch and before she could even turn off the vehicle, a fire erupted from under the hood. The car completely burned. There is a police report at Jupiter FL Police department # 22-184325

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

problem #8

Sep 042017

CX-7

  • 94,000 miles
My daughter was driving the Cx-7 on the highway and it caught on fire. There was a pop and then smoke and flames. My daughter moved to the left shoulder as soon as she heard the pop and the vehicle engulfed in flames. The vehicle was a total loss. At the time of the incident the vehicle was in great condition. The vehicle was at 94,000 miles. An oil change was completed recently as well as all regular maintenance.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #7

Jul 212017

CX-7

  • miles

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

I noticed tailights looked funny, so I removed them to inspect them. To my surprise there were melted holes in the taillight, and burn/charred marks on 2 of the light receptacles. Also having problems with front head light burning out. This appears to be a major defect with this model, every owner I have spoke with has same problem.

- Sonoma, CA, USA

problem #6

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 #5

Mar 032015

CX-7 4-cyl

  • 83,490 miles
The bulbs melted both back tail light lamps. A manufacturing defect from defective parts. Which should be replace and repair free of charge.

- Manor, TX, USA

problem #4

Sep 012014

CX-7 4-cyl

  • 55,000 miles

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

After I have come to a stop the check engine light and tcs/dsc indicator light illuminate. My car remains on but when I push on the gas throttle my car does not go anywhere. I have to turn off my car for a minute or so and then restart before I can drive. This had happen 4 times now (in a 2 month time frame). It usually happens when I am at a stop light and do not have a way to get off of the road. The check engine light stays on for a day or so and then goes away. Then it will happen again. I have been driving on the road when this has happened and had to pull off quickly on the side of the road. This is very dangerous! I have an appointment with a Mazda dealership to have it looked at.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

problem #3

Dec 122011

CX-7 4-cyl

  • 20,080 miles
2010 Mazda CX7. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle headlights problem. The consumer stated ever since the vehicle was purchased, he and his wife have replaced the headlights eight times. On December 12, 2011 the driver side head light went out. Then on March 8, 2012 the passenger side headlight went out. The dealer informed the consumer it was very common and headlights could go out at any time. Another headlight went out again on October 30, 2012. The same bulb went out on November 10, 2012. The consumer went back to the dealer, where it was discovered the bulb was installed incorrectly. On January 7, 2013 the opposite headlight went out. On June 10, 2013, the headlight went out again. On October 1, 2013 the same thing happened. On June 12, 214, the headlight went out again. The dealer continued to say, there was no defect.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #2

Jun 112013

CX-7

  • 33,500 miles
When driving with the A/C on, the ECM seems to malfunction and increase the speed of the car when the ac compressor turns on. If you are in the process of braking, the car will not stop and it will require the driver to press harder on the brakes. The car gets and extra boost of energy and even though you are braking, the car lunges forward and continues to roll further. If the driver is caught off guard, this will lead to an accident. I crashed my car into a family members house as I was parking. Luckily, the parking bumper slowed down the car enough so as to only slightly bump the house. It has happened in regular traffic as well. Luckily, I keep a safe distance from cars and brake early but now I brake even earlier just in case. Volkswagen had the same problem and they did a large recall on the vehicle because of the safety issue it involves. If you own a Cx-7 keep an eye out for this, especially when the A/C is on. It only happens when the timing is just right that you are braking and the compressor turns on a that precise moment so it will catch you off guard and scare the daylights out of you. I've been lucky so far but this could definitely cause major damage if not recalled in order to fix. Here is the info from a recall from Volkswagen. Volkswagen is recalling approximately 4,000 of its cars. The automaker will fix engine control module software that can trigger an unexpected increase in engine RPM, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "these vehicles have an engine control module containing software that may not properly control engine idle with the air-conditioning turned on, " NHTSA said in its summary of the problem. "in rare cases, the ECM may unexpectedly increase engine RPM. An engine surge caused by an unexpected increase in engine RPM may surprise the vehicle operator and can result in a crash without warning."

- Hialeah, FL, USA

problem #1

Aug 012011

CX-7

  • miles
I purchased the 2010 Mazda CX7 vehicle about nine months ago. I frequently do not drive the vehicle because I feel it is unsafe under many conditions. The dash lights are inadequate and make it almost impossible to know how fast you are traveling day or night. I am afraid I will be ticketed for traveling too slow or too fast when the instrument panel is so poorly lighted. I have looked at other 2010 and 2011 models, and they are all the same, poorly lighted. I recently spoke to someone with another model who had the same complaint. I feel that it is unsafe and should be recalled. I have no other complaints about the vehicle at this time.

- Bonney Lake, WA, USA

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