Recalls: Mazda ER CX-7
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Mazda CX-7
2006-12 Mazda ER CX-7: Takata airbag recall
In July 2017, a recall was issued for Mazda ER CX-7 vehicles. Over time, the passenger-side airbag inflator in these vehicles may absorb moisture in environments of high absolute humidity. In the event of deployment, the airbag may therefore inflate abnormally and cause the airbag inflator housing to rupture such that metal fragments could be dispersed throughout the cabin. These metal fragments posed a serious risk of injury to vehicle occupants. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2017/16232.
Search online for recalls by VIN
To see if a Mazda vehicle has been recalled, you can conduct a search on the Mazda Australia website using its VIN.
Problems and faults: Mazda ER CX-7
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
2009-12 Mazda ER CX-7 Diesel: engine failure due to oil starvation
For 2009-12 Mazda ER CX-7 Diesel vehicles with 2.2-litre MZR-CD R2 2008 diesel engines, there have been reports of premature engine failures. For these engines, it is understood that the copper seals of the no.1 fuel injector could fail and cause combustion gases to heat the engine oil in the camshaft chambers, creating hard carbon deposits. Over time, these carbon deposits can get flushed into the oil sump and block the oil pick-up strainer/filter (in the oil sump). At worst, this blockage may starve the oil pump of oil, the oil warning light may illuminate due to the lack of oil pressure and the engine may seize. If the latter occurs, the engine must be replaced.
If the driver notices that the engine oil warning light illuminates, AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that the vehicle be stopped immediately and towed to a mechanic. It is understood that the low oil pressure warning light illuminates at around 6 psi, whereas normal oil pressure is 50-60 psi. As such, illumination of the engine oil warning light demonstrates seriously low oil pressure which poses an imminent risk of engine damage.
For owners, it is recommended that the strainer/filter be inspected when the oil is changed for any signs of blockage. Furthermore, AustralianCar.Reviews understands that since the oil strainer/filter sits low in the oil sump, it is not possible to completely drain the oil if the strainer/filter is blocked.
2006-10 Mazda CX-7: VVT ticking noise
In April 2012, Mazda USA issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 01-012/12) for Mazda ER CX-7 vehicles that had2.3-litre L3-VDT turbocharged petrol engines, were produced before 26 February 2010 and had VINs lower than JM3ER******327444. In these vehicles, there may be a loud ticking noise from the variable valve timing (VVT) actuator when the engine was first started due to:
- The lock pin of the variable valve timing actuator not fully engaging; or
- A worn lock pin hole.
To fix, the cylinder head had to be removed and the VVT actuator replaced. Subsequently, heat treatment was applied to the area around the hole of the variable valve timing rotor lock pin to prevent this from happening.
2006-09 Mazda CX-7: stretched timing chain
In April 2012, Mazda USA issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 01-012/12) for Mazda ER CX-7 vehicles that had 2.3-litre L3-VDT turbocharged petrol engines, were produced before 1 May 2009 and had VINs lower than JM3ER******300119. When the engine was warmed up, the Mazda3 CX-7 may exhibit a knocking/rattling noise from the front timing cover and/or valve (cylinder head) cover at engine speeds below 2000 rpm – this noise was caused by excessive stretching of the timing chain. To fix, the timing chain needed to be replaced. The design of the timing chain was subsequently changed to overcome the problem.
2006 Mazda CX-7: MIL and DTC P2407
In November 2006, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 01-037/06 for 2007 Mazda CX-7 vehicles that were manufactured before 3 August 2006 and had VINs preceding JM3ER**** ** 129357. In these vehicles, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) may illuminate and the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P2407 may be logged in memory – this may be due to abnormal current in the LDP sensor which exceeded the threshold of DTC P2407. Since the design specification did not meet the market need, the powertrain control module (PCM) software was changed to resolve the concern. The service bulletin described the procedure for updating the PCM.
2006 Mazda CX-7: DTC P0455 and EVAP leak
In January 2007, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 01-001/07 for 2007 Mazda CX-7 vehicles that were manufactured between 14 February 2006 to 1 August 2006 and had VINs in the range JM3ER29**70100057 to JM3ER29**70128616.
In these vehicles, the malfunction indicator light (MIL) may illuminate and the diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0455 may be issued (‘EVAP System Leak Detected – Large Leak’) – this may occur due to poor sealing between the fuel filler pipe and the fuel filler cap. To fix, the fuel filler cap was to be replaced with a modified cap (part number FEY2-42-250).
2006-07 Mazda CX-7: sticking swirl valve actuator
In July 2007, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 01-010/07 for 2007 model year Mazda CX-7 vehicles that were produced prior to 26 February 2007 and had VINs preceding JM3ER****** 163410.
In some of these vehicles, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) would illuminate and the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P2006 would be stored in memory due to the variable swirl shutter valve actuator intermittently sticking in cold weather – this was caused by inadequate spring force in the actuator. To fix, the variable swirl shutter valve actuator was to be replaced and the powertrain control module (PCM) re-programmed with new DTC detection logic.
2006-07 Mazda CX-7: low fuel pressure
In April 2008, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 01-022/08 for 2007-08 model year Mazda ER CX-7 vehicles that were manufactured prior to 19 November 2007 and had VINs preceding JM3ER**** ** 196510. In these vehicles, delayed fuel pressure build-up at the high-pressure fuel pump may cause:
- Rough idling, stalling and/or hesitation under cold conditions;
- Intermittent lack of power during acceleration when the engine gets hot; and,
- The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) to illuminate and issue Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P2177/P2187 (fuel system too lean at off idle).
The service bulletin attributed the delay in fuel pressure build-up to:
- The drive current from the PCM (powertrain control module) being insufficient for some fuel pumps; or,
- Some fuel pumps having a slower response.
To fix, the PCM software and the specification of the high-pressure fuel pump were changed.
2006-09 Mazda CX-7: variable idle speed and stalling
In February 2009, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 01-007/09 for 2007-09 model year Mazda CX-7 vehicles because of variable idle speed and, in some rare cases, stalling after the vehicle had stopped. The service bulletin attributed this behaviour to the accumulation of carbon deposits inside the throttle body which caused air flow to decrease. To fix, the throttle body needed to be removed, cleaned and re-installed using a new gasket.
2006-09 Mazda CX-7: squeaking seat
In October 2009, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 09-064/09 for 2007-10 model year Mazda ER CX-7 vehicles. In some of these vehicles, there may be a squeaking noise from the front seatback due to contact between the seat frame and seat frame spring. To fix,
- The headrest was to be removed;
- The seat trim and seatback pad were to be removed;
- Clamp B was to be widened to remove Spring A (see bulletin);
- Vinyl tape was to be wrapped around the clamped portion of the spring;
- The spring was to be fitted back into the clamp and the clamp squeezed to secure the spring; and,
- The seatback pad, seat trim and headrest were to be re-installed.
2006-08 Mazda CX-7: white/blue exhaust smoke
In April 2011, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 01-002/11 for 2007-09 model year Mazda CX-7 vehicles that were produced prior to 1 July 2008 and had VINs preceding JM3ER****9*224013. In these vehicles, white/blue smoke may be emitted from the exhaust pipes after long idle periods or while driving at slow speeds in heavy traffic – this may be due to insufficient crank case ventilation which causes oil leakage past the exhaust turbine shaft seal. If this were identified as the problem, ventilation components (i.e. the cylinder head cover, ventilation hose, engine hanger, air pipe, vacuum hose and related plug) were to be replaced.
Other possible causes, however, included:
- Engine oil viscosity break down due to insufficient oil changes; and,
- Usage of lower than 5W-30 viscosity engine oil.
2006-12 Mazda CX-7: front-end clunk after take-off
In January 2014, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 04-022/14 for 2007-12 model year Mazda CX-7 vehicles because some owners experienced a slight clunk/bang/buzz noise or jolt from the front of the vehicle during the vehicle’s initial forward movement after starting the engine. As per the service bulletin, this noise was due to a normal ‘Malfunction Detection Function’ being performed by the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and did not require repairs.
Mazda CX-7: other problems and faults
- The driver’s seat power height adjustment may stop working due to internal parts breaking.
- The air conditioner may become less effective while driving – particularly in hot weather – as the evaporator may frost up and restrict airflow.
- The windscreen washers may not provide adequate pressure; a higher pressure pump was subsequently released.
- The rear bumper may become soiled with exhaust soot because the tailpipe is too short.
