NHTSA — Power Train: Automatic Transmission 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.

3.3

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,254 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2007 Mazda CX-7:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2007 Mazda CX-7 Owner Comments

problem #5

Feb 012011

CX-7

  • 68,314 miles

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

The official tsb was listed in 2008 power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive) date reported April 16 2008 NHTSA reference #10024861 tsb reference #03-003/08 description: Gear oil dripping from transfer case oil seal. 4WD vehicles with VIN's lower than jm3er****188196 (produced before Oct. 1, 2007). Repair information for NHTSA #10024861 they new it was a dangerous situation and we could have been killed if the trans locked up. I went in today to have them fix it and they said it was 6800 miles out of powertrain warranty.

- Lakeside, CA, USA

Add Complaint
problem #4

Jul 302010

CX-7

  • 47,959 miles
2007 Mazda Cx-7. 47,000 miles. Clean engine and clean oil per the service desk at the Mazda dealership. Pin related to timing chain broke, which caused the timing chain to break and ruined the entire engine. My car died in the middle of a very busy road and another vehicle almost collided with me as I slowly tried to move it over to the side of the road before it stopped altogether. While the company has yet to decide if they will pay for the repair since the car is under warranty, I still believe this problem should be investigated as a recall issue because of the amount of complaints I have seen online about other Mazda Cx-7 owners have this same issue.

- Garland, TX, USA

Add Complaint
problem #3

Feb 112008

CX-7

  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Mazda CX7. The contact stated the cvt transmission and spring tensioner failed. The contact stated the parts were manufacturer from plastic and believed it to be the cause of the failure. As a result, the timing chain would continuously fail. The vehicle was repaired by the dealer. The failure continued to recur. There was not a recall for the failure and the vehicle was not further repaired. The manufacturer did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 45,000 and current mileage was 78,000

- Lenexa, KS, USA

Add Complaint
problem #2

Jul 102010

CX-7

  • 33,000 miles
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. No one wanted to listen to me..I do remember that when my oil was changed, the mechanic had told me in the past that it seemed to have "sludge", but that was only between 3,000 miles. I had taken care of my car, and they were telling that it had "poor maintenance" and would not honor the warranty!

- Lake Charles, LA, USA

Add Complaint
problem #1

Feb 172008

CX-7 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,995 miles
After short duration idol "5-10" minutes car blew heavy white and black smoke out of exhaust followed with a clanking/rattling sound from the rear of car. Three time this happened in a short 4-7 mile drive home. Took it to the dealer and at first the said they could not duplicate the problem but updated the engine and transmission computer program. Then they let the car idol for some time and it blew the smoke and heard the sound. So they decided after calling and reporting the event to the regional manager to replace the turbo. I have looked on-line about these problems and have come across owners that have had their turbos replaced a few times and the problem still exists. When the parts are in and they replace the turbo, I will see if this is a fix. I have very little faith that this will fix the problems this vehicle has. And it has many.

- Oak Harbor, WA, USA

Add Complaint

Not what you are looking for?