Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Mazda CX-7 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I bought this car in February 2013 and two times since then I have had to replace the timing chain, thankfully my husband and I bought the extended warranty, but I have a feeling that it will do it again before I even pay my car off. Just a month ago I had to take my car in because my engine light came on, so I checked my engine oil and there was none on the dip stick. Called the place I just came from getting my oil changed the week before and found out that the turbo charger was malfunctioning and sucking all the oil out of the oil pan. The dealership says that it common for that make and model... My warranty covered the work but barely. I now have 4,000 miles left on my warranty.... What else could go wrong! I will never buy another Mazda period!
Started smelling strong burning rubber odor emanating through vents of car while in operation, exited highway upon seeing white smoke fuming from under hood. Loss control of steering and vehicle shut off and would not crank again. Mechanic determined ac compressor has seized and serpentine belt was snapped due to friction from pulleys. If I had stayed on freeway instead of exiting, with the lost of steering I surely would have posed a danger to myself as well as others on the road. This complaint is one of numerous thousands that have been filed on behalf of Mazda and its CX-7 model. There should be a recall issued for the ac compressor before it causes serious injury and/or fatality.
On 12/19/11, I was driving appx. 60 - 65 MPH on I-81 when my 2007 Mazda CX-7 just shut off. I was in the middle of traffic on the interstate, with a large tractor trailer behind me, but I was able to safely maneuver my car onto the shoulder of the interstate. My car would not start again. I did quite a bit of research on line regarding this particular issue and found a significant number of claims from other people that had this same problem happen to their 2007 Mazda cx7. The final diagnosis is total engine failure with a price tag of $7200 to fix. That would be for a whole new engine. I found a service bulletin from January of 2008 that corporate Mazda sent out to their dealers re: a problem with the timing chain. The bulletin specifically identifies a series of VIN#'s affected, and mine falls into the category. …
My husband was driving the vehicle down a backroad highway going 60 when all of a sudden the car stopped. There was no notice, no noise nothing. The pos was towed to the local Mazda dealership. The looked at the vehicle and said "timing chain..$3000". OK, not what we expected but fine, fix it. 24 hours later, they called to advise that the engine is blown $7000. I contact the Mazda customer service ( aka people who are trained to tell you that you are sol) to see if there was any recall or any other things that May cover this. No, nothing but a extension was mailed jan 2012 to advise that the timing chain was extended for repair. No notice was received and the address they had on file was correct. So here we sit with a worthless pos that nobody wants to take responsibility for. I would rather have it sit in the drive way and we share 1 vehicle than put 7000 into this car. …
I purchased a brand new 2007 Mazda CX-7 in April 2007, the vehicle started experiencing engine problems in September 2007, I was told it May have something to do with the vvt (variable valve timing) and timing chain. The vvt was replaced by the dealership a short time later; however, not the timing chain. After the vvt was replaced my vehicle starting to experience thick white smoke coming out of the tail pipes. My dealership technician advised this was due to a turbo issue with the engine. All of this occurred within the first couple years of my ownership. I have had the turbo repaired (out of pocket expense), as well as the vvt (2 times) and the timing chain it all seems to no avail. …
While driving on colorado state highway 91 at approx 55 MPH, the vehicle suddenly died. The engine ceased working, all systems ceased immediately. I was unable even to safely pull the car onto the shoulder, the loss of power was so complete and so sudden. The vehicle was 200 miles from my home, and 250 miles from the closest dealer at that point, so I had it towed to the closest garage that would look at it, about 60 miles away. That garage evaluated the car and stated that the timing chain had broken and a new engine would be required, at approximately $6,000 to $8,000. I phoned the closest Mazda dealer, in denver, and asked what they recommended. They also stated the engine would have to be replaced, at a cost of $8,000 to $9,000. I contacted the garage closest to my home and asked their advice. …
My wife and I purchased a 2007 Mazda CX-7 a few years ago, and over the last three months it has been in the shop with multiple problems. From an oil leak, to a bad compressor, then the timing chain gone bad and now another problem with the EGR. The car has a little over 38K miles and to me it seems very odd for a car being this young in miles, to have major problems such as these. After going back and forth with the Mazda corporate office, they first agreed to pay for the parts for my latest problems since I'm now out of warranty. I was fine with that until I found out the labor was over $500 to fix this problem. When I call the corporate office to try to discuss splitting the labor costs, their supervisor contacted me back with an attitude like I did something wrong and decided they were now not going to help at all. …
I own a 2007 Mazda cx7 and it was been at the dealer every month this summer and I'm on my second loner car. The trouble started last summer with pinging and turbo lag. That seemed to stop and the dealer said that it was a software issue. But this summer we have had three separate issues. 1. Transfer case leak. Fixed. 2. Engine stabilizer leak. Fixed. 3. Variable valve timing actuator vvta. Currently in shop. Car loudly "growls" to life, squeaky belt, difficulty starting, told by dealer that will eventually cause engine trouble if not fixed. This has all been since July!!! We are just shy of 30K and the warranty expires next month. I am very afraid that something else will go wrong and we will end up paying for it. Upon reading a few cx7 web sites and blogs, it has become clear that this vvta issue will lead to a timing belt failure and engine loss. …
Driving east across the bay bridge from sf, the engine made a wheezing noise. After a mile the power dropped, and the car would only travel at 30 MPH. No engine light came on to warn of this, even during the event. At this point it was obvious that it needed repair attention, and we found a Mazda dealer/repair shop relatively close by to drive it to. Once they had a chance to diagnose the problem, they reported to us that engine 'sludge' was to blame. The timing chain had been rubbing, and the vvt actuator had been compromised. Turbo galleys were also plugged. In jan. Of this year, Mazda posted an extended warranty for CX-7's timing chain and vvt. However, the dealer informed us after checking with Mazda that we were not eligible for the warranty. Gaps in our history of repair was the given reason. …
For quite awhile I had been hearing a "ticking" noise with my 2007 Mazda CX-7..brought it to the dealership in lafayette, la. To have it checked out. They checked it out, updated recalls in affect, stated they found nothing. Continued to hear it off and on, had my oil changed regularly. On July 10, 2010 my car broke down (4 yrs old, 33,000 miles) had it towed to dealer in beaumont, close to where it had broken down. The service dept. Asked for my service records after it was determined that problem was with the engine.. Did not have every receipt due to dealer in area closing with no records there, but provide the last few.. After taking an "image" and sending it to Mazda, it was determined they would not honor the warranty because I had excessive "sludge" and wanted me to pay full cost of a new engine/motor. …
Transmission complaints in other CX-7 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2007 Mazda CX-7?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2007 Mazda CX-7, 10% of the model year's 528 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Mazda CX-7 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2007 Mazda CX-7, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Mazda CX-7 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.