TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results - Mazda CX-7

[P5w3kids]

The latest TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results have been posted. These are for the year ending June 30, 2007. Late responses could lead to further changes, but these are unlikely to be large.

For the 2007 Mazda CX-7, I have an average of 3.6 months of data on 24 cars. The stat of 110 successful repair trips per 100 vehicles per year (1.1 per vehicle) is worse than average for a 2007 model.

This result is asterisked and visible only to panel members because fewer than 25 responses were received (yes, a single response short). I'm posting them here because this forum and its owner have been so helpful. Because of the sample size, the result provides a somewhat rough indication of repair rates.

Most of the reported issues involved sensors, valves in the intake manifold, and powertrain modules. Not major problems, but they did affect driveability.

I should also note that only completed repairs are included in this analysis. In some cases Mazda dealers have not been able to fix the problem.

I've been seeing lower repair rates for the Ford Edge and especially for the Acura MDX. Repair rates for the Hyundai Santa Fe, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook have been in the same ballpark.

It is possible that Mazda will sort these issues out, and repair rates will start to decline. Results will be updated in three months.

Everyone who has been helping out with this research, thanks, I literally couldn't have done it without you. Those who aren't yet helping out, I hope you'll consider doing so. It would be nice to get rid of that asterisk.

Other results:

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

 

[Xenon Expert]

woh...so from your info..2007 CX-7 is not a reliable car. Was looking at a 2008 model but that makes me nervous although it's not a huge list of people surveyed.

Also, can there be more unhappy owners that participate than happy ones?

 

[CX-7owner]

Late builds seem to be problem free so I wouldn't see where your worries lie.

 

[erhayes]

Zero problems for my CX7T

 

[mikey1981]

woh...so from your info..2007 CX-7 is not a reliable car. Was looking at a 2008 model but that makes me nervous although it's not a huge list of people surveyed.

Also, can there be more unhappy owners that participate than happy ones?

would their problems create unhappiness, or their unhappiness create a problem?

 

[CX-7owner]

would their problems create unhappiness, or their unhappiness create a problem?

Both, I'm sure anyone with major problems would be very unhappy with their car, but if mostly those people and a few people who have had their cars with out any major troubles at all, those unhappy people could influence the results of the reliability test.

 

[mikey1981]

i still loved my 7, even tho it was a s*** box

 

[CX-7owner]

Hows the RDX going? If given the same choice to pick between the two, would you still pick the RDX?

 

[mikey1981]

Yes, Acura with about 90% backing. The other 10% i give to the Mazda, it truly is so fun to drive and the braking is excellent, really instills confidence on the road.

But, the level of refinement, fit and finish, and other odds and ends are just no match for the RDX.

I would put it this way, if you are going to go all out and buy a 7 with the tech package, i would urge the buyer to strongly consider the RDX. If non-tech, then obviously the AWD GT is a winner (im basing this on just price). The Mazda is a great vehicle, all around sporty, does mostly everything well, and the ride quality is better than the Acura for sure. Where the corners are cut in the Mazda, the Acura really shines through. If the 7 had the interior level of the 9 and better reliability, itd be alot tougher decision.

I will say that if the CRV had an actual decent-sized engine, it would go toe to toe with the Mazda

 

[Mazda3]

ZERO problems here with 23k on the car, just like my other 3 Mazdas.

 

[blkcherimika]

ZERO problems here with 23k on the car, just like my other 3 Mazdas.

Ditto! 4 other Mazdas.

 

[vbbuilt01]

Statistically insignificant. Extremely small sampling of owners compared against the entire pool of U.S., Canadian, Aussie, European, and Japanese CX-7 owners. I would also venture most drivers don't even visit these forums, therefore, have no opportunity to participate. Based on those reasons alone, I wouldn't hinge my buying decision on the outcome of this "evalution".

Vince.

 

[mikey1981]

yea, the sample size is just too small to matter i think

 

[MMPC]

No problems with my 7 so far - just had my first oil change at 3,000 miles.

 

[ljmattox]

I really enjoy my CX-7, it's performance/utility/style combination is just great for us.

It has had a fairly robust set of first-year corrections, judging from the TSB's. Many of these were affecting early production ones (like I have); I suppose I could've not bothered with the door seal, power control, and transmission control fixes. If I'd ignored the TSBs, I guess I could then say it's been trouble-free, even though it had/has some issues that really should be fixed.

The A/C problem I had (the "100 degree / long distance" A/C cuts out TSB) is the only one I've had (so far) that substantially affected my use of the vehicle.

Hey, maybe it's the internet's fault: if I hadn't known of others reporting jumpy throttle response, surging on the highways, and road debris accumulating on the insides of the doors, and of the known Mazda fixes for these, I wouldn't have known to get these problems addressed. And add to the "yes, my vehicle's been to the shop for fixes" statistics.

 

[spike blue]

have almost 40k miles on my dads and no problems at all

 

[Alpha Wolf]

I really enjoy my CX-7, it's performance/utility/style combination is just great for us.

It has had a fairly robust set of first-year corrections, judging from the TSB's. Many of these were affecting early production ones (like I have); I suppose I could've not bothered with the door seal, power control, and transmission control fixes. If I'd ignored the TSBs, I guess I could then say it's been trouble-free, even though it had/has some issues that really should be fixed.

The A/C problem I had (the "100 degree / long distance" A/C cuts out TSB) is the only one I've had (so far) that substantially affected my use of the vehicle.

Hey, maybe it's the internet's fault: if I hadn't known of others reporting jumpy throttle response, surging on the highways, and road debris accumulating on the insides of the doors, and of the known Mazda fixes for these, I wouldn't have known to get these problems addressed. And add to the "yes, my vehicle's been to the shop for fixes" statistics.

This is just about like mine.

Yes I had to take it in for the TSBs.

Yes these have addressed my issues I saw as problems.

Still enjoy it each and every time I get into it.

Touring model AWD(thumb)

Not sure how you can compare my car with the Lexus (My friend bought one just after I got my CX7). It cost over $9,000 more than my car. It does not have enough head room for me. It has a more '79 Caddy feel to it. Softer suspension, Soft mushy seats, Faux wood trim everywhere. Shifter in the dash, does not stop, turn anything like my CX. But he was not after performance, just luxury soft ride which it does.

Same sort of goes for the Acura. Yes there are some nice touches to the interior. I can't stand the way it looks and felt the driving experience with the CX better than the Acrua I tested. Then here you could not touch one for nearly $10,000 over what I paid for the CX as they only stocked fully loaded models and were not offering deals and would not order a basic model. I guess they sell enough they do not need to.

Yes money matters to me as a prime factor in any vehicle purchase.

That and my tastes run to a more simple look than many of my friends/family so I like the interior of my Mazda.

A few things I would like:
A better Radio Dash Display for the I Pod would be nice.
50 more hp
A 6 speed manual transmission. Failing that throttle restrictions in ECU should be removed.
Manual mode transmission shifts could be quicker and firmer.
A few more mpg would also be nice.


But I knew I was getting a new model so I expected a few trips back the first year to get things right. This means it is not the same as a model out a few years with all the kinks worked out.

Survey listed is too small to be trusted. Way too small a sample.

 

[Alpha Wolf]

have almost 40k miles on my dads and no problems at all

Spike Blue?

I thought he posted he was selling it months ago..

He still has it?

 

[MrEous]

IMO, the bugs being worked out in the first year for the CX7 are fairly minor compared to the recalls you see for powertrains or some other 'important' issues on other cars...

 

[P5w3kids]

I don't seem to be receiving automatic notifications for this thread, because apparently I did not select it...

So sorry for the delayed response.

The sample size is large enough for the result to be meaningful, but not large enough for it to be precise. It is asterisked. That said, the CX-7 is clearly having more problems than most vehicles these days.

Would I like to have a larger sample size? Absolutely. But this is the one part of the whole endeavor I personally cannot control. I do everything I can, but in the end it's up to owners to sign up and help out.

It is very likely that these issues mostly affect early production. With many new models I see high repair rates for the first few months of production, then steady improvement as the manufacturer identifies and fixes common problems.

This is one reason I update quarterly. If there is improvement, it will quickly become apparent. No need to wait a whole year for the next update. I just posted these results a couple weeks ago, and I'll have a pretty good idea of what the November results will be about a month from now.

If there is improvement, you guys will be the first to know.