Makes›Mazda›CX-7›2008

2008 Mazda CX-7

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.

Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV FWD Gs/GT
Engines
2.3L 4-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
19 combined · 17 city / 23 hwy
Length
184.3 in
Curb weight
3,710 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 26 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2008 Mazda CX-7 is a SUV - offered with a 2.3L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 184 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,710 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (17 city / 23 highway), 1% better than the 2008 SUV - average of 18.9 MPG, for an estimated $4,350 a year in fuel.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 93 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2008

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2007 CX-7 — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 CX-7 →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV FWD Gs/GT184.3 in73.6 in65 in108.3 in63.4 / 63.8 in3,710 lb58/42

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
CX-7 2WD2.3L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive17 / 23 / 19+1%$4,350468
CX-7 4WD2.3L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 18+3%$4,550494
Spend $9,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.9 MPG2008 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Mazda CX-7 under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2008 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2008 Mazda CX-7 (this car)19 MPGNot rated4
2008 Toyota RAV424 MPGNot rated13
2008 Honda CR-V23 MPGNot rated11
2008 Subaru Forester22 MPGNot rated1
2008 Toyota Highlander26 MPGNot rated10
2008 Hyundai Santa Fe20 MPGNot rated3
2008 Ford Escape32 MPGNot rated3

Recalls (4)

Safety advisory: 3 recalls for this model year carry a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Oct 31, 2019 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 19V782000 · 69,879 vehicles

Problem
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2012 CX-7, CX-9, and 2009-2012 Maza6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V356 and 17V012.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jul 18, 2017 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 17V457000 · 79,402 vehicles

Problem
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2012 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2007-2008 CX-7 and CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recall 17V-012.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jun 29, 2017 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 17V429000 · 205,377 vehicles

Problem
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Mazda6, and 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recall 16V356 and all vehicles that were not remedied under that campaign are now covered by this one.
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint · Aug 11, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V593000 · 190,102 vehicles

Problem
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Mazda CX-7 vehicles manufactured February 14, 2006, to May 9, 2012. In the affected vehicles, water may enter the front suspension ball joint fittings. If the water is contaminated with salt, such as from driving on snowy roads that have been treated, the ball joint may corrode and separate from the lower control arm, resulting in a loss of steering control.
Risk
A loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower control arms, free of charge. As a priority, Mazda will first address all affected 2007-2008 vehicles as well as 2009-2011 vehicles currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia. West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The remaining vehicles will be addressed as parts are available. The recall began September 20, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9716H.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2008 Mazda CX-7 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

93Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
2Involved a crash
3Involved a fire
2Injuries reported
98,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags49
Suspension38
Engine17
Exterior Lighting10
Unknown Or Other5
Electrical System5
Steering5
Power Train3
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
17/03: 217/04: 317/05: 317/06: 217/07: 617/08: 1117/09: 217/10: 317/11: 317/12: 118/01: 318/07: 118/08: 218/12: 119/01: 120/01: 220/02: 120/06: 120/08: 120/09: 120/10: 120/12: 321/12: 126/10: 117/0317/0617/0917/1218/0820/0120/0820/12max 11

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2008 Mazda CX-7 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
  3. Air Bags — 49 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  4. Suspension — 38 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
  5. Engine — 17 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  6. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 98,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Mazda CX-7. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other CX-7 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2012 CX-722184.3 inNot rated437
2011 CX-723184.3 inNot rated4141
2010 CX-723184.3 inNot rated5126
2009 CX-720184.3 inNot rated542
2007 CX-719184.3 inNot rated4169

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mazda. How we calculate this →