I have an on going issue with my car 2007 Mazda CX7 last year in October 2013, the turbo went out on the car and needed replacement $4000).I had a tug of war with the dealership. They finally took responsibility and replaced the turbo. Today December 2014, I sit here in the same situation once again the turbo went out on my Mazda and needs repair. This is an issue with this car part and Mazda does not want to take responsibility for their malfunction part. Which is not fair to the guest that they have to come out of pocket to pay for a part (turbo) that Mazda does not want to take any fault for.

- Tampa, FL, USA

Mazda Cx-7, 2007 - four days and 7,000 miles out of warranty. Driving on the highway, the engine suddenly quit suddenly and the car died. The VIN number on the car is in the range of numbers from 2007 that have reported the same and similar defects many times from other car owners. The vvt actuator failed and was replaced by dealer penkhus Mazda under warranty in 2009, but the chain was not replaced. Research into Mazda service bulletins sb-10044209-4285 and 01-012-12 indicate that the timing chain should have been replaced at the time since the VIN number indicates the vehicle was produced prior to a Mazda timing chain modification date of May 1, 2009 (VIN #'s below jm3er...300119). My vehicle falls into this group. Mazda issued a warranty extension to 7 years, 70,000 miles for this faulty timing chain in January 2012 but is now refusing to honor any warranty on the premature failure of the timing chain. Vehicle was towed to nearest shop at the time, +/-50 mi. Shop said timing chain was broken and a new engine probably needed. Estimated cost $8,000. I phoned nearest dealers in denver and Colorado springs to discuss with service departments. They advised if it was timing chain failure it could easily be a new engine at $8 - 10,000. My home is between 175 and 225 miles from the nearest dealer. I contacted my local shop who advised me to contact kracl automotive in glenwood springs. Kracl said they would definitely look at it, determine cause of failure and attempt to repair prior to recommending total engine replacement. I had the car towed another 100 miles to glenwood springs, 22 miles from my home, and the closest capable repair shop. Kracl advised me the timing chain had broken and two valves were damaged but not the cylinder head. Repair estimated at +/- $4,000. Repairs were completed with special order Mazda parts cost of $3,851.21.

- Basalt, CO, USA

I was preparing to stop at a stop sign when my car stopped running. I had it towed to the garage who always maintains my car. They found that the timing belt had broken. I thought this was strange since my car only had 61000 miles on it, so I started researching the problem. I found that Mazda had put defective parts on these engines. They had an extended warranty, but of course that had run out for me. Why shouldn't a manufacturer have to stand behind the defective parts they put on an engine? this cost me $3700 for their half-a* work!!!! if this timing chain had broken while I was in heavy traffic, this could have been a disaster!!

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

I purchased my car, a 2007 Mazda CX7 used with 34,000 miles on it approximately 4 years ago. I was driving approaching a stop sign and my car just stopped running. I was able to go around the corner and get the car off the road and out of traffic. I had the car towed to the garage near my work who usually maintains my car. They said that the repairs were going to cost $3742. Two valves need ground and numerous other parts need to be replaced. After doing some research I find that Mazda has had this problem with many of the CX7 vehicles, but they are not covering the repairs. I take very good care of my car, have regular maintenance done, and do not put a lot of miles, or drive my car hard. There is no reason that this should have happen other than defective parts from Mazda!!!! they should make this right. These cars are expensive and the owner should not be experiencing such major repair costs with so few miles on the car.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

I purchased my 2007 Mazda Cx-7 from a dealership in greensburg, pa in February of 2014, it was purchased as a used car with only 36,500 miles on it. I had no problems with the car at first, then I noticed my gas mileage was getting worse, that is when on memorial day my check engine light would come on and then go off. I took it my mechanic because I was unable to get it in to the dealership for a week at some points and the light would have be off by then. Then when I was on my way home on the evening of 9/4/14 my car made a very weird sound any time I would try to push on the gas. I pulled the car off the road and there it sat until I could reach the service department on the following day. My husband took the car to the dealership and that's where it sat because he was informed that it was unsafe to drive? I went up after work only to have them tell me that they could not get the readings from the diagnostic test and that they would have to send it to an actual Mazda dealership, where it has been for almost a week. I was informed yesterday that my turbo and other un-mentioned parts had broken. I then waited to hear back as to whether the warranty that I paid an additional $2,000 for at the time of purchase would cover it, it will not cover this and they stated that the turbo was not considered a part of the "powertrain" so they quoted me a price of upwards of $3300 to repair the vehicle that I have had for 7 months. I have started to do research into this vehicle and I have found out that this is actually quite a common problem with this make and model and that the manufacturer will not stand by the product fully knowing that this is a problem and the consumer is left holding quite a hefty bill. I implore you to research this and force their hand so that "[xxx]" doesn't keep getting stuck holding a huge bill for something this company just doesn't want to fix. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Derry , PA, USA

After leaving a family member's out of state home early on Monday August 25, 2014 morning noticed a noise coming from the front of the vehicle. Approximately 5 miles later a burning smell and smoke started coming from the engine compartment along with loud squealing. Pulled onto shoulder of road and shut off vehicle. I opened the hood and it was obvious something had burned up but didn't easily identify what. Called aaa for a tow to nearest Mazda dealer. Was informed later in the day by the dealer that the ac compressor had seized up and ruined the serpentine belt as well. They didn't have the parts to fix it which resulted in having to rent a car for 5 days to return home and back to pick up vehicle on Saturday. Later found out there was an extended warranty on the compressor for 5 yrs/60K miles which meant that there was no coverage on my vehicle since it was 7 years old even though it had only 49K miles on it. Total cost with towing, the car rental and repair was $1667. They also "found" the starter was bad and a blown fusible link for which they charged another $648. I think they caused the started and fusible link damage trying to start the vehicle with the seized up ac compressor as I never had any problem with the starter before and didn't attempt to start it after I had pulled over and turned engine off.

- Bear, DE, USA

Prior to this date, which lead up to the last incident, upon getting the first few oil changes, at a dealership where I purchased the car, the engine began to sound like a truck (oil used was not synthetic and I were scheduled to come back in 5-months). When I inquired about it, I was told, "that was the way it was supposed to sound". after that comment, I changed to another dealership for service. The knocking continued, to this day, still. Over the years, the system lights would come on periodically (passenger air bag, check engine light and tire sensor) and the cooling fans would run after you turned the car off. Most times, they would reset themselves. Moving along, recently on 07/15/14, I was returning home for the evening and the car shut down on me. The steering control was hard but I kept it from crashing the wall on Lincoln dr. As I flagged the traffic to proceed, I was able to start the car only to advance to the end of the drive. Before I reached home, the car shut down 5-times. Finally reaching home it sat until I were able to get it to another dealer, closer to home. How about, the engine is shot, the radiator had a leek, I knew nothing about and the dealer says, "it will not start, now". I drove it to the dealer. Oil light was on and smelling as if I burned something, while it knocked. Check engine light and passenger air bag light were on when it cut-off, as I pulled into their driveway. I restarted the car found a parking space. Once the ignition shutdown, the cooling fans came on. Dilemma, I leased the car new in 2007. I bought it, with present car payments until 2016, in 2010. The dealer requests the engine and radiator to be replaced. There is no warranty, especially after 100,000 miles and I have scrap on my hands. Where does one go from here as Mazda used to be reputable? the engine shouldn't have any problems before 200,000 miles.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

We purchased our vehicle new. The passenger side air bag lights up for no reason. It's intermediate. I have taken it into the dealership and they claim there is a known issue however not a recall therefore Mazda will not pay for the expense to repair/fix it. I have asked if the air bag will work if we are in an accident and they cannot say either way. Also our engine light is intermediate as well. I've taken it to repair shops who ran a free diagnostic test which states another known issue with Mazda with the fuel evaporation line. If Mazda is aware of these issues, why don't they repair them at no cost to the owner" does someone have to die first"

- Greenville, SC, USA

Would like to make a complaint about my vehicle. I was stopped at a light and heard a clicking sound as I tried to accelerate when light turned green. Vehicle died at the light. Vehicle was towed to a mechanic. Timing chain stretched and broke which caused damage to the engine and valves. Vehicle has been in the shop for more than four weeks! my approximate cost will be $3500, but price can go up since mechanic has yet to complete the work. Have read many similar complaints about the timing chain and vvt with this make and model on the internet. Many vehicles have broken down on the highway. Even after my vehicle is repaired, I do not feel safe driving it. I will trade it in (not another Mazda) as soon as it is repaired. It is unfortunate that Mazda is aware of this problem but has not made effort to recall the Mazda CX7.

- San Jose, CA, USA

I purchased my vehicle in October 2012 with roughly 75K miles. After one week of owning the vehicle I noticed after idling for a few minutes O large plume of fog would come from my exhaust pipe. This has occurred many times now since purchase and the dealers response was that it was due to "winter fuel". the problem was never resolved. On June 26th 2014 I was driving to work. I stop at a red light and when it turned green I proceeded to press the gas. Instantly my car shut off and did nothing. After investigating the issue on the side of the road I determined it to be the timing chain. My issue is that Mazda having knowledge of a failing vvt on these vehicles should have replaced the part before selling this vehicle to me. Now I have a lawn ornament that's costing me thousands of dollars to watch it sit in my driveway.

- Shawnee , KS, USA

Timing chain replacement resulted in a catastrophic failure of the high pressure fuel pump and its housing. Replacing the timing chain returned the engine to production line specs, that were too much for a worn fuel pump to handle. The increased pressure to the fuel pump shattered it into numerous pieces less than 100 miles after the timing chain was replaced. Said pieces became lodged inside the cam shaft and ended up bending all of the valves. The necessitated a complete valve job, removing and replacing the cylinder head, fuel pump, cam shaft and oil control calve. At worst, all timing chain replacements should require a fuel pump change in order to prevent the sequence of events that happened to my car and thousands of others.

- Escondido, CA, USA

Mazda extended the warranty on ac compressors, well, my original compressor failed and was replaced under that original warranty. Exactly 30,000 miles later the replacement compressor failed almost 3 years to the date of the original failure. Mazda is refusing any responsibility for this since now my car is out of warranty. Eventhough the replaced part itself is only 30,000 old. This vehicle is also experiencing timing belt issues and extremely loud engine noise. This particular model year just seems to be a lemon all around. Even the replacement parts are failing. And the company is not holding themselves responsible at all. I've research this particular year and found more than adequate evidence that these vehicles are lemons. The same issues are being reported across the world! and Mazda is doing nothing. The hazards they are causing are tremendous! some failures have resulted in fires, quick loss of engine power at high speeds and thousands of dollars in repairs. My car was paid off less than a week before this second compressor malfunctioned. How many cars have had 2 ac compressors in a matter of 6-7 years"? and how many engines can completely fail in the matter of 7 years" everyday when I start my car it sounds like a diesel engine; popping and clanking noises project for the hood like it's a semi. That's just bad craftsmanship and bad business. Mazda should be held accountable. The recalls should be extended to 100,000 and 10 years at least. These vehicles should be built to last. And a multi billion dollar company should be made to fix their mistakes before someone gets hurt or worse, killed because of their neglect.

- Mobile, AL, USA

I was stopped at a traffic light with my 10 yr old in the car, and as soon as I pulled out form the traffic light we noticed smoke and people honking their car horns at us. I looked in the rear view mirror and there was a "puddle" of fire on the road that was not there when I pulled up to the stop light so I assume it leaked down from my engine. After noticing the fire I quickly pulled over (not even through the intersection yet) and instructed my son to get out of the car. I shut off the ignition of the vehicle, and exited as well to call 911. By the time the fire department arrived, the car was too far gone to be salvaged. The car was completely burned, all airbags discharged from the heat of the fire, and the front two wheels where damaged by heat and the front tires where melted.

- Palmyra, PA, USA

My gas light was on. I was going to get gas. The car was driving fine then I felt a pull like a chug I did not want to run out of gas. I turned around to go home a few blocks away I would rather call the automobile club to bring gas to me than get stuck on empty. The car started pulling and chugging as I started to go up a hill.I pulled to the right side of the road rolled to a stop. Aaa towed me home. I had a master mechanic come out to look at it. He told me my engine was frozen rings were done and I needed a new car and it wasn't worth $5,000 to fix. So now I have a beautiful car not worth anything. Oh yeah! I'm very upset!

- Apple Valley, CA, USA

Just bought a used 2007 Mazda CX7 about 2 months ago and the car starting producing smoke out of the tailpipe. Took the car in as it is still under warranty, and the dealer claims that the turbo charger is going out in the car! I asked the dealer if this is covered under the warranty and their response was that it was not. That is absurd! I wish I would have read all of the complaints about this car with people having to go through the ordeal with crappy service from the dealer before buying it! this ought to be included in a recall considering the amount of times this has happened to buyers of the CX7. I feel terrible as this was purchased for my mom to drive who is on a fixed income and cannot afford to have major repairs done on a car that was purchased only 2 months ago! me, nor any of my immediate family members have ever owned a Mazda vehicle and best believe this will be the last time we do!

- Wylie, TX, USA

Driving to work on interstate truck lost power and had to roll to side of the road until it finally stopped rolling. Had truck towed to local Mazda dealer, service manager stated the timing chain broke and would need to be replaced. Advised manager to fix the timing chain at a cost $1700, notified two days later timing chain was fixed however when the timing chain broke a piece went into the engine and "broke' it. I was advised could have repaired for $8,000. Could not afford it, had truck towed home and it has remained parked for 4 years, and yes I still owed on it. Have researched online and see the thousands and thousands of complaints about the truck same year make and model and same issue. Please look into this matter. Please please please..Mazda CX7 are unsafe, I could have been killed if the truck cut off in front of 18 wheeler. This is my second complaint submission about this issue to your branch, and reading online I am not the only on that has submitted this claim to you. Please please please please get this truck off the road!!!!!

- Clinton, NC, USA

Car started to make a ticking noise from the right side of the engine compartment. Took it to a mechanic and was diagnosed as a timing chain related issue. Will cost about $1500 in parts and labor to replace timing chain, vvt valve, and sprockets.

- Park Ridge, IL, USA

Driving on my way to Tennessee, the car had a major power loss and screeching noise from inside the engine bay. The car was taken to the closest Mazda dealership and was told that the turbo had to be replaced due to engine sludge. The car had regular oil changes using the proper amount and oil weight. Mazda had a recall involving the turbo and they did not honor it because I was about 1000 miles over the extended warranty.

- Park Ridge, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2007 Mazda Cx-7. the contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the vehicle stalled as all of the warning lamps illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the timing chain was fractured and causing irreversible damage to the engine. As a result, the engine and the timing chain would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 100,000.

- Dublin , OH, USA

The contact owns a 2007 Mazda Cx-7. the contact stated that the vehicle would continuously exhibit a ticking noise from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the noise was normal but they were unable to determine what was causing the noise. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 49,000 and the current mileage was 49,500.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA