Mazda CX-7 Common Problems (Know What to Expect)
Are you in the market for a used Mazda CX-7? If yes, you should first do your own research to ensure you get a great car that serves you reliably. And this brings about the question: What are some common CX-7 problems you should be aware of before you get a used car?
Mazda CX-7 common problems include:
- Turbo failure
- Engine timing chain stretched
- Transmission problems
- AC compressor troubles
- Power loss while driving
- Light problems
In this article, we’ll dive into more details about the above common problems experienced by Mazda CX-7 owners and the potential solutions to consider. Plus, we’ll discuss additional helpful info such as CX-7 reliability, years to avoid, and more.
Mazda CX7 Common Problems
Here are the most common Mazda cx7 problems that you should be aware of before buying a used vehicle:
Mazda CX-7 turbo problems
One of the most frequently reported issues in Mazda CX-7s is turbo failure. This Mazda vehicle was equipped with a turbocharged engine in some trim levels to increase its power and performance.
However, sometimes the turbo will experience failure and the result is power loss and even potential engine damage.
The most affected model years include 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. The average mileage mark when this happens is anything between 15,500 and 177,000.
Key symptoms of a failed turbocharger include your car becoming sluggish and having problems accelerating and white smoke coming out of the exhaust.
Sometimes the smoke can be so much that people may think your car is on fire! You may also hear a loud whining noise when the turbo burns out.
In most cases, the owners who took their vehicles in for checkups by dealerships were informed of “sludge in the engine” and “improper oil changes” as the culprits behind the turbo failure.
If your car is experiencing turbo failure, then you’ll need to replace the turbo to fix this issue and restore engine power.
According to the vehicle owners who face this problem, Mazda hasn’t shown any willingness to own up to this issue and cover the repair costs. This means you’ll need to incur the repair costs from your pockets.
Also, some owners complain that their turbo went out severally, forcing them to do multiple replacements. Also, no recall has been issued for this problem.
Engine timing chain issue
Another common concern among the owners of CX-7 is the timing chain belt stretching or failing and causing unpleasant engine noise.
According to Carcomplaints, the 2007 cx7 models received the highest number of complaints for a stretching timing chain.
Most vehicle owners have reported Mazda CX7 timing chain noise and this comes as a result of the timing chain getting stretched (losing its tension).
Some vehicle owners describe the noise produced as a rattling sound similar to that of marbles in a motor. Others explain hearing a barely audible intermittent ticking noise that becomes more consistent when they hit higher RPMs.
Key symptoms of this problem include an illuminating check engine light, poor engine performance, engine noises, engine failure, and the presence of metal shaves in the oil.
Frustrated vehicle owners expressed how this chain stretching causes all the valves in the vehicle engine to fail.
Defective timing chain causes your engine timing to fall out of sync. This makes your engine shut off without a warning, putting you in a dangerous situation.
If the timing chain breaks, it can also damage your engine. Therefore, we recommend addressing timing chain problems as soon as possible.
Therefore, the best fix for this issue according to most car owners is to replace the timing chain tensioner and get new valves.
However, sometimes the timing chain itself may have failed and therefore needs a replacement. Keep in mind that the timing chain replacement is a bit more involved and will definitely cost you more.
Unfortunately, Mazda never issued a recall for this issue despite its widespread nature.
Mazda CX-7 transmission problems
Transmission troubles are also a common experience among CX-7 owners. The vehicle model years from 2007 to 2012 that use the 7-speed automatic transmission tend to experience transmission slippage and hard shifting between gears.
The issue is highly noticeable when the transmission gets hot, though it can also happen from time to time. Keep in mind that this transmission is meant to be sealed forever, thus no fluid changes are required.
Many drivers have learned that the transmission issues in CX-7 are caused by mechanical failures relating to the shift solenoids or transmission valve body or problematic software for the tranny system.
To help restore proper transmission performance during shifting in the Mazda CX-7, the manufacturer has issued several software updates aimed at correcting the software issues.
If you find that the trans issues persist even after completing the updates, then you should consider removing the transmission, dissemble, inspect, and perform the necessary repairs.
Mazda cx7 AC system troubles
The Air conditioning system is crucial for ensuring comfort inside your vehicle’s cabin. Unfortunately, many owners have also reported issues with their air conditioning systems.
Specifically, the Mazda CX7 owners report a failing AC compressor, which affects the AC’s ability to blow warm air and heat the inside of your vehicle cabin.
This problem seems to affect several model years, including the 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 models.
Most owners report that the AC only blows extremely cold and then stops working for days and then resumes working again, where it continues blowing cold air only.
In other words, the AC blows cold air and only does it sometimes.
Some owners also report that their compressor made some noise before they went out.
Other problems with the AC system in cx7 include the AC blowing warm air or the AC becoming inoperable.
If your AC system starts misbehaving, we advise you to turn it off and have it diagnosed to find out the underlying issue. If the compressor is failing, the best fix is to replace it with a new one.
Power loss while driving
Loss of power while driving your car is another common concern among CX-7 owners.
Car owners who have encountered this issue explain that their vehicle VVT fails, the car sputters and smokes while driving, and the check engine light may come on during use.
The engine cutting out while driving may be caused by several factors. If you notice that the stalling only happens when the temperatures are high, then it means the issue is caused by high temperatures, which can be attributed to the fuel pump motor.
A failing or defective fuel pump also causes loss of power. This is especially the case when you’re driving your vehicle under stress, e.g. when driving uphill, towing heavy loads, or accelerating at high speeds.
The engine stalls since the fuel pump is unable to keep up with high fuel demand in these performance situations.
Vehicle owners who have dealt with this problem explain that they have to replace their vehicle engine with a brand new one. Others had to replace the throttle body or repair variable valve timing.
Having your vehicle diagnosed will help uncover the exact issue and figure out the best repairs to fix this problem.
Light problems in Mazda CX7
Light issues also plague Mazda CX-7s. The most common issue is moisture accumulation in the headlamps. This makes it difficult for you to see when driving in low-light conditions.
To fix this moisture issue, you’ll need to get a Mazda technician to replace your vehicle lights. This should cost you around $400, depending on your vehicle’s make and model.
Another common issue with CX7 lights is the production of low beams that are too dim. This also makes it hard for the drivers to see clearly in dark conditions.
This issue tends to occur at quite an early mileage mark and can be a safety hazard for your car and other drivers on the road.
Mazda CX-7 years to avoid
Certain Mazda CX7 model years have been associated with a higher frequency of issues reported by car owners than others.
Knowing these years can help you make a more informed decision when shopping for a used cx7.
Here are the most problematic Mazda CX7 years that you should avoid like plague:
- 2007: Carcomplaints received 780+ complaints against this model and have ranked it as the worst model year for CX7. Some of the key issues in this model year include a stretching timing chain, faulty turbo system, and AC heater issues.
- 2008: Carcomplaints has 296 complaints against this model from owners all over and up to 5 recalls by the manufacturer. This is a clear indication of its problematic nature. Key issues with this model year include a faulty timing chain and a turbocharger problem.
- 2010: Carcomplaints also documented up to 244 complaints for this vehicle model plus up to 5 recalls. The issues present in the previous model were also exhibited in this model, including turbocharger failure, faulty VVT, and other engine issues.
Mazda cx-7 reliability?
The reliability of Mazda CX-7 is what we can term as a mixed bag. The vehicle is known to offer you a dynamic as well as sleek design.
However, it’s accompanied by a wide range of issues prevalent across different model years.
Some of these common problems include engine and turbocharger malfunctions, timing chain issues, AC compressor failure, power loss while driving, etc.
Needless to say, such issues can lead to inconveniences and cost you dearly in terms of repair costs.
However, it’s worth noting that some cx7 owners have experienced trouble-free ownership of this car.
This clearly indicates that not all the CX-7 vehicles experience the above common problems and you may be one of the lucky owners.
Overall, we advise you to perform regular maintenance of your vehicle and address any issues that may arise as soon as possible. This is key to enhancing your vehicle’s longevity and keeping its performance top-notch.
If you’re planning to buy a used Mazda CX-7, we advise you to research the specific model year you’re interested in.
You should also review the vehicle maintenance records and have a qualified technician perform pre-purchase inspections on the vehicle.
If you’re interested in learning more about common problems in Mazda vehicles, you might also find our articles on Mazda CX-5 common problems and Mazda 323 common problems helpful. These resources provide insights into the issues faced by Mazda vehicle owners.Conclusion
Mazda CX-7 is one of Mazda’s vehicle models that was plagued by many issues across the different model years. The most common issues in this vehicle include a failing turbocharger, faulty timing chain, failing AC compressor, power loss while driving, and light problems.
By knowing these common problems beforehand, you’ll be more confident in addressing them when they arise. You’ll also know what model years to avoid when buying a used CX-7, so you end up with a vehicle that serves you reliability well and with fewer problems.