NHTSA — Exterior Lighting Problems

CarComplaints.com Seal Of Avoid Like The Plague

CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2007 Mazda CX-7 has numerous reports filed with the NHTSA about engine & A/C problems.

Owners report problems with the 2007 CX-7's Variable Valve Timing (VVT) & timing chain failing, causing major damage to the engine — Mazda uses an interference design so typically the valves are bent & the entire engine needs to be replaced. Mazda dealers typically quote $9,000 for an engine replacement.

There is also a trend of the turbo failing at low mileage.

Finally for the 2007 CX-7 there is a clear pattern of A/C compressor failure at relatively low mileage. Owners report smoke & occasionally the serpentine belt catches fire when the A/C compressor clutch seizes while driving. Mazda extended the A/C warranty to 60,000 miles, however many owners report their A/C compressor failed very soon after the 60k mark.

In 2011, Mazda began a "Special Service Program" that extended the warranty to 7 years/70,000 miles covering turbocharger oil leaks & 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:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,470 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.

2007 Mazda CX-7 lights problems

lights problem

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2007 Mazda CX-7 Owner Comments

problem #10

Jun 232018

CX-7

  • miles

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

The headlights on this vehicle are completely inadequate for night driving. They do not project any where near enough light to see in unlit areas where you cannot use high beams. The light is yellow no matter what bulb you use and does not project down road at all.

- Romeoville, IL, USA

problem #9

Oct 132019

CX-7

  • 100,000 miles
Happen 2 days ago while driving I noticed a burning smell of plastic inside the cabin and upon inspection I traced it at the rear brake lights. The bulbs gets to hot and melting the plastic inside the housing of the tail light assembly. This car has a clear tail light assembly and since it's burning the lens is becoming smoky. I think it is a safety concern that this bulb can cause a fire in the future.

- New Albany, IN, USA

problem #8

Mar 172017

CX-7

  • miles
Shortly after purchasing vehicle replaced timing, turbo, exaust, ball joints, tie rod ends & much more. Timing was first, then driving and turbo went out. 2 days ago car sitting in driveway, not running, started smoking from under hood, butst into flames and burnt up. Mazda said no recalls, clearly not true according to website. Almost burnt my house also as it was sitting in driveway and couldnt be moved. If we would have been inside the car, I doubt we would of had time to get pulled over & out as thats how quick it burnt!

- Brookville, IN, USA

problem #7

Feb 092017

CX-7

  • 134,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2007 Mazda Cx-7. the contact found excessive moisture in the exterior headlamps. The contact stated that the failure occurred after inclement weather. The dealer confirmed that the headlamps experienced excessive moisture and the headlamp assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

- Loma Linda, CA, USA

problem #6

Feb 012014

CX-7 4-cyl

  • 67,000 miles
Purchased used in January of 2014. Noticed red plastic housing for brake lights melting above actual lightbulb. Brake lights now shine clear/white on top (where melted), instead of just red. Searched online and found several similar complaints. Checked other Mazda Cx-7's and can see they all have the same issue. I replaced lightbulbs to make sure they match manufactures requirements, they were correct and had melted plastic all over the bulb. Took to local mechanic who said it's probably a wiring issue. Took it to Mazda dealership, they said there was nothing they could do and had never heard of this issue before. I asked them to contact Mazda to see if they would replace light assemblies with unmelted units, they claimed they were told that Mazda would not replace.

- West Hollywood, CA, USA

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problem #5

Dec 172014

CX-7 4-cyl

  • miles
Exterior headlight assembly gets cracked due to poor construction and whole assembly requires replacing in lieu of simply replacing the headlamp. This is quite pricey at approx $700 each for both driver's side and passenger side respectively.

- Lebanon, TN, USA

problem #4

Jun 102014

CX-7

  • 78,000 miles

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

I pulled from my driveway onto a highway decided to turn on headlights because of heavy tree cover coming up, it was almost full dark turned knob on lever no lights hit breaks thank god those were still where I remembered them hit fog lights they came on. Went to high beam fogs shut off (correct) high beams at least worked much to other drivers slowing swerving an just all an all pissed off. My high beams seem to turn the clock back to about mid day. Scared the hell out of me though an cost me a shift so I'm into this off the get go 735.00$ lets see how much more its going to cost. So much for giving this rig for my 16yearold in two months should have stayed with Chevy or Nissan.

- Vaughn, WA, USA

problem #3

Nov 012013

CX-7 4-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
I was driving down the road at night and headlight on passenger side went out due to condensation see sb-09-003-13 Mazda is fully aware of this issue and refuse to do anything about it. I ordered oem parts at a cost of $1400 from Mazda and had them installed at certified body shop and within two weeks light blew out again, had to replace just the bulb this time, they said they couldn't cover this cost because a Mazda dealer didn't install light. Mazda said the only way they would do anything is if there was a safety recall. What does a recall consist of when you are driving down the road at night and both headlights go out at the same time and have an accident or hit someone else head on causing fatalities. This is about as unsafe as anything I can think of. Again I reference sb-09-003-13. I hate to know there might be fatalities with this problem and everyone ignores it. I told Mazda I would do everything in my power to try and make them responsible for this defect, I guess they have no concern for human life, this is why I am filing this complaint. Just think of all the lawsuits that will happen and the monetary cost involved when this does happen and I think it will since it has already happened once, also lose of life, I don't think there is a price to put on this. Thank you for your time.

- Central City, KY, USA

problem #2

Nov 042010

CX-7 4-cyl

  • 69,700 miles
2007 Mazda Cx-7. consumer experienced several problems with vehicle the consumer stated shortly after she purchased the vehicle, she noticed the headlights pointing toward the ground and it took 3-5 trips to the dealer before it was properly fixed. In June 2010, the check engine light illuminated. The dealer diagnosed the problem as an evap system leak which cost $461.80. In October 2010, during a routine inspection, it was discovered that the vehicle needed an outer tie rod end, in addition to that an alignment was also needed. One week later, the ac compressor failed.

- Clairton, PA, USA

problem #1

Jan 012008

CX-7

  • 16,000 miles
Algae forms between the rear taillight clear lens and moulded gray inner housing. Because the 2 pieces are glued together a person cannot get to the algae to clean it. The algae forms where there is missing adhesive to bond the 2 pieces together.

- Spanaway, WA, USA

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