CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2010 Mazda CX-7 appears to share the same engine defects as the three previous model years: VVT/timing chain failure & turbo failure. The timing chain failure is especially bad with many cars requiring an engine replacement ($9,000+).

In 2011, Mazda began a "Special Service Program" that extended the warranty to 7 years/70,000 miles covering 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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,850 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.

2010 Mazda CX-7 engine problems

engine problem

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2010 Mazda CX-7 Owner Comments

problem #7

Oct 082019

CX-7

  • 35 miles

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

Upon putting my car in reverse with my foot on the break, the vehicle accelerates to the point I have to smash the break to the floor. This has happened several times while putting my car in drive and while waiting at red lights. I've almost been in several accidents because of this issue. It has been happening since I purchased the vehicle new. The dealer was unable to duplicate the problem so they decided the car was fine.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #6

Aug 142017

CX-7

  • 63,000 miles
On 4 separate occasions, the brakes failed to stop the car. The last 2 times, the car not only didn't stop but it accelerated. I could have been involved in a couple of very serious accidents. Each time, I was driving on city streets on dry pavement. The last occurrence was on Aug 14, 2017, and I tried to stop the car by using the gear shift, but the car didn't stop right away. The dealership is currently working with Mazda tech support, but they can't find a cause for this. They want to install a flight recorder, and for me to take the car back so I can drive it until this happens again. I told them no because of the seriousness of the problem, and the dealership is testing it now. This problem began in August 2015, and I've already spent over $1000 on repairs related to it.

- Cudahy, WI, USA

problem #5

Jun 302017

CX-7

  • 74,000 miles
I lost power to my 2010 Mazda CX7 while going 60 mp downhill in a mountain pass. My car went from 60 mp to 40 mp in about 30 seconds. I immediately pulled over as black smoke poured out of my tail pipe and had the car towed. My mechanic said the turbo was blown, which cause the car's oil to completely burn up, causing damage to the timing chain and engine. All of the oil was gone in a matter of a few miles. The car had been up to date on all maintenance. A new turbo and engine was needed on a car that had 74,000 miles on it.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #4

Sep 012014

CX-7 4-cyl

  • 55,000 miles

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

After I have come to a stop the check engine light and tcs/dsc indicator light illuminate. My car remains on but when I push on the gas throttle my car does not go anywhere. I have to turn off my car for a minute or so and then restart before I can drive. This had happen 4 times now (in a 2 month time frame). It usually happens when I am at a stop light and do not have a way to get off of the road. The check engine light stays on for a day or so and then goes away. Then it will happen again. I have been driving on the road when this has happened and had to pull off quickly on the side of the road. This is very dangerous! I have an appointment with a Mazda dealership to have it looked at.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

problem #3

Jun 252013

CX-7 4-cyl

  • 53,000 miles
Loss of power when trying to accelerate. Puff of white smoke along with a clacking noise.

- Blue Bell, PA, USA

problem #2

Jun 112013

CX-7

  • 33,500 miles
When driving with the A/C on, the ECM seems to malfunction and increase the speed of the car when the ac compressor turns on. If you are in the process of braking, the car will not stop and it will require the driver to press harder on the brakes. The car gets and extra boost of energy and even though you are braking, the car lunges forward and continues to roll further. If the driver is caught off guard, this will lead to an accident. I crashed my car into a family members house as I was parking. Luckily, the parking bumper slowed down the car enough so as to only slightly bump the house. It has happened in regular traffic as well. Luckily, I keep a safe distance from cars and brake early but now I brake even earlier just in case. Volkswagen had the same problem and they did a large recall on the vehicle because of the safety issue it involves. If you own a Cx-7 keep an eye out for this, especially when the A/C is on. It only happens when the timing is just right that you are braking and the compressor turns on a that precise moment so it will catch you off guard and scare the daylights out of you. I've been lucky so far but this could definitely cause major damage if not recalled in order to fix. Here is the info from a recall from Volkswagen. Volkswagen is recalling approximately 4,000 of its cars. The automaker will fix engine control module software that can trigger an unexpected increase in engine RPM, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "these vehicles have an engine control module containing software that may not properly control engine idle with the air-conditioning turned on, " NHTSA said in its summary of the problem. "in rare cases, the ECM may unexpectedly increase engine RPM. An engine surge caused by an unexpected increase in engine RPM may surprise the vehicle operator and can result in a crash without warning."

- Hialeah, FL, USA

problem #1

Dec 292009

CX-7

  • 414 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Mazda Cx-7. while driving at 30 mph, the contact experienced difficulty reading the gauges on the instrument panel in the bright sunlight. The contact also stated that the gauges were difficult to see at night because they were illuminated with a white lighting. Furthermore, the contact stated that the space between the brake pedal and accelerator pedal were too close making it hard to depress the correct pedal while driving. The current mileage was approximately 700. The failure mileage was 414.

- Garden City, NY, USA

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