The automaker Mazda has manufactured many stylish and capable vehicles over the years. Its sporty Mazda6 sedan is so agile and fuel-efficient that it even rivals the popular Honda Accord. Additionally, the CX-3 and CX-5 were two of the most reliable 2020 SUVs, according to Consumer Reports. Another great family hauler you can buy is the Mazda CX-7 SUV. This car was available from 2007-2012 and got pretty good reviews from consumers. It has an available turbocharged engine and a very luxe interior. However, some CX-7 owners may run into some very expensive repair problems.

Mazda CX-7 turbo engine issues

According to CarComplaints.com, drivers who bought the CX-7 in its initial model year experienced the most severe issues. The most expensive of these was related to the car’s optional turbo engine. Drivers with this engine reported that their cars would functioning completely, sometimes while they were on the highway.

Prior to this, many drivers also said that their cars had been leaking a lot of oil. Turbo failure seems most common once the vehicle has been driven for 87,000 miles. Dealers recommended having the turbocharger replaced, which cost most drivers around $2,900. However, according to some complaints, many Mazda dealerships quoted frustrated drivers a $9,000 repair.

Stretched timing chain

The turbo engine’s major engine damage could also be directly related to its faulty timing chain. At around 80,000 miles, the CX-7’s check engine light would come on and the engine would become very noisy. The timing chain would also make loud rattling sounds.

Since the warranty expired after 60,000 miles, many drivers had to pay for expensive replacement parts themselves. Mazda mechanics recommended replacing the timing chain for upwards of $2,000. The issue was so common that one user even started their own website to catalog the complaints. Despite this, no recall was ever issued for the timing chain or turbo engine.

Engine failure

2008 Mazda CX-7 models received many fewer complaints, but the engine still gave some drivers headaches. At 107,000 miles, a few drivers reported illuminated check engine lights as well as failed turbochargers. Some CX-7 models experienced a complete engine failure. A few drivers even said that the engine stopped working with no prior warnings.

The only way to fix the engine was by replacing it entirely. To make matters worse, some dealers also wanted to replace the timing belt and speed sensors. Altogether, some drivers had to pay over $5,000 to get everything fixed.

Complaints in later Mazda CX-7 model years

The Mazda CX-7 from 2009 has almost no reported issues. However, drivers may still want to be wary of models from 2010 and 2011. The turbo engine failure is still an issue, though it was far less frequent than in 2007.

Some cars from these two model years also had suspension problems. This was due to the ball joint fitting, which would become disconnected from the front control arm. Thankfully, Mazda did release a recall for this problem.

Why was the Mazda CX-7 discontinued?

The 2012 CX-7 has an almost perfect track record, with only a few complaints related to paint and engine problems. This was the car’s final year of production, but its discontinuation wasn’t related to its engine. According to a Mazda spokesperson, the CX-7 died due to low sales numbers. During its most successful year, only 1,000 CX-7 units were sold.

The good news is that you can buy a used 2012 Mazda CX-7 for as little as $6,000. Considering its original $22,000 price tag, this is an excellent bargain. If you don’t want to encounter any big engine problems, just steer clear of 2007 and 2008 models.