Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2011 Mazda CX-7. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle during or following a heavy rainstorm, the vehicle failed to start immediately. Once started, the engine vibrated, the vehicle failed to accelerate properly, and the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the failure self-corrected once the vehicle dried. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the PCM C31 connector failed due to moisture and corrosion, requiring service or replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under extended warranty coverage. The failure mileage was 120,000.
On 12/14/2015, I was driving about 60-65 MPH on a maryland highway at around 10 am. I was in the next lane beside the fast lane. The 2011 Mazda cx7 started to decelerate. I looked down at the gages to make sure I didn't inadvertently go into neutral. I was still in drive. I hit the brake, not coming to a complete stop, and then stepped back on the gas, pushing the gas pedal to the floor and the car would not accelerate. It went down to about 20 MPH. In my rearview mirror I saw a tractor trailer coming toward me and there was no where I could move, and I could not see on the other side of the trailer to go into the next lane without hitting another vehicle. I was hit in the rear by the trailer. I had on my seatbelt and the airbag did not deploy. I checked for cars in the fast lane and slowly moved onto the shoulder. The driver of the truck followed me. …
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.
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.
I was driving on a highway. I heard a high pitched squealing sound then smoke started blowing out of my car. I could not see, and the other drivers behind me lost visability too. In the middle of this blinding smoke, surrounded by huge trucks, I lost aceleration. My instrumentation panel did not have any warning lights on. I was driving blind. I pulled off the highway as quickly as possible, and had my car towed to a dealership. The dealership said my turbo blew out, (which I guess sucked all the oil out of the car) I need a vvt valve and the timing chain is stretched. On a car with 57,000 miles! In checking on line, I found this has been a problem with the CX-7 for 6 years and they are no longer making this model. …
This Mazda CX-7 has been driven by my disabled finance and used for in city driving it's whole life and one day a high pitched whining sound developed and the car was delivered to capitol Mazda for an inspection. Upon getting the results we were told that the car had not had regular servicing at the dealer. I agreed as I am an engineer and do most servicing of my families vehicles. They said I had not done the oil changes, but I had done them every 5,000 miles. Every vehicle I have ever owned had more than 200,000 mile on them when I sold them. The current Toyota truck I am driving has 205,000 and I have done all of the servicing myself. Mazda wants over $8,000.00 to repair it back to driving condition. This is an outrage. And it doesn't seem to fix the problem. …
Tl contact owns a 2008 Mazda CX-7. The contact stopped the vehicle and turned off the ignition. When he placed the gear into park, it would not engage. The dealer stated that all of the vehicles do not lock in park after turning off the ignition switch. The gear shift moves while the engine is on and the vehicle is in park. The contact has owned the vehicle for three weeks. Another driver exited their vehicle and thought that the vehicle was in park after she turned off the vehicle. The gear failed to lock into place and the vehicle crashed into a tree. The service manager at the dealer stated that this was abnormal, but all of the vehicles operate in that manner and there May be a potential safety hazard. The contact and service manager also observed several vehicles that were designed in that manner. The contact is also waiting on a district service manager to call him back. …
On Sunday, January 4, 2015, I was driving my 2008 Mazda CX-7 and I stopped at a stoplight. When I tried to take off when the light turned green, my car hesitated and when I pressed on the gas peddle a little more, it still hesitated then finally took off. All of a sudden, I heard an extremely loud popping noise, and then thick, heavy white smoke started to come out of the tailpipe. The white smoke then started flowing out from under the hood, and it started to come into the car through the air vents. When I tried to pull over and put the car in park, it wouldn't shift into gear, so I pushed the parking break, and it finally stopped. I got out of the car and when I went to grab my purse, I saw fire coming through the bottom air vents ( the ones that blow air on your feet) so I grabbed my purse as quickly as I could, and ran away from the car. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Mazda CX-7 years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (53), 2008 (14), 2011 (8) and 2010 (6) model years. Transmission complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Mazda CX-7 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for any Mazda CX-7 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Mazda CX-7 transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles; 32% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (9 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (2).
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.