2008 MAZDA CX-7 Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

I HAD SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AC COMPRESSOR WAS BURNING UP, AND ENTIRE AC SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ONLY FOR THE AC TO STOP OUTPUTTING COOL AIR ON HOT DAYS UNLESS I'M DRIVING OVER 55 MPH. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

THE AC IN THIS VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS UNDER PERFORMED. IT DID NOT GET REALLY COLD AND HAD TO BE RUN ON THE HIGH SETTING CONSTANTLY. JUST LAST WEEK THE COMPRESSOR FAILED COMPLETELY. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

EGR VALVE FAILURE ON A 2008 MAZDA CX-7 WITH 47,500 MILES. I HAD NEVER HEARD OF A EGR VALVE BEFORE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE TO HAVE THEM TELL ME THE ERROR CODE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE WARRANTY FOR THE PART WAS 60MONTHS/60,000 MILES. WHILE I WAS WAY UNDER ON THE MILES, I WAS 5 MONTHS OVER ON THE TIME. SINCE THIS WAS MY 3RD TRIP INTO THE DEALERSHIP OVER THE PAST 5 MONTHS DEALING WITH PROBLEMS/MAINTENANCE WITH MY CX-7, I ASKED WHY THIS PARTICULAR PART FAILED. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF ETHANOL. AFTER SOME QUICK RESEARCH, IT IS CLEAR THAT 2007-2008 MAZDA CX-7 HAS SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE EGR VALVE. IT WILL COST ME $650 TO FIX. MAZDA SHOULD HAVE BEEN FORCED TO RECALL THIS PART SINCE IT LOOKS LIKE IT WAS DEFECTIVE FROM THE START. WAS TOLD THAT A NEW REPLACEMENT PART FOR THE EGR VALVE WOULD BE PUT INTO THE VEHICLE WHICH WILL NOT BREAK DUE TO PRESENCE OF ETHANOL IN GAS. *TR

Mileage: 47,500

HAD TO REPLACE THE A/C COMPRESSOR THAT WENT BAD, WAS A RECALL ON THEM BUT MY WARRANTY WAS OUT. THEN NOW 11/8/13 I AM BEING TOLD THAT MY EGR VALVE IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT SO HAPPENS GUESS WHAT THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY HAS RAN OUT. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON LINE ABOUT THE A/C COMPRESSOR AND NOW THE EGR VALVE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 25MPH WHEN I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. I PULLED OVER AND POPPED THE HOOD AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE AC COMPRESSOR. IT TURNS OUT THAT THIS IS COMMON FOR THIS MODEL. MAZDA EXTENDED THE WARRANTY BUT OF COURSE MINE EXPIRED THIS YEAR. IT'S JUST A SHAME THAT MY CAR HAS LESS THEN 40K MILES AND MAZDA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS IS AN INFERIOR PART, BUT WONT HELP COVER THE COST. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS OF THIS PART FAILING AND BREAKING THE SERPENTINE BELT CAUSING THE CAR TO LOSE ALL POWER. THIS SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE A RECALL. IMAGINE THIS HAPPENING WHILE ON A HIGHWAY OR TURNING AT AN INTERSECTION. *TR

Mileage: 35,000

AIR CONDITIONING BEGAN BLOWING HOT AIR. MANY COMPLAINTS LOGGED ONLINE FOR THIS YEAR VEHICLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS ISSUE. RECOMMENDATION WAS TO CONTACT MAZDA CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. THEY PROVIDED A FILE NUMBER AND INFORMED I NEEDED TO HAVE THE DEALERSHIP CONFIRM THE ISSUE WAS THE COMPRESSOR. THE DEALERSHIP DID CONFIRM THE COMPRESSOR AND BELT NEED REPLACED. CONTACTED THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NUMBER BACK AND THE APPEAL/COMPLAIN PROCESS BEGAN TO SEE IF THEY WOULD PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN REPLACING THE COMPRESSOR AND BELT SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD JUST EXPIRED AND ONLY HAS 28,000 MILES. WAS INFORMED 2 DAYS LATER THAT THE DECISION WAS THAT THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE IT IS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. VERY DISCOURAGED THAT A CORPORATION WOULD NOT STAND BEHIND THEY VEHICLE UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE FACT THAT THEY KNOW THIS VEHICLE HAS THESE ISSUES. I COULD UNDERSTAND IF THE VEHICLE HAD 60,000 MILES BUT THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING. *TR

Mileage: 28,600

THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT ON MY 2008 MAZDA CX-7 CRACKED, CAUSING THE PULLEY ASSEMBLY TO FREEZE UP. AS A RESULT, THE PULLEY NO LONGER TURNED ON THE SERPENTINE BELT AND MADE A LOUD NOISE, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO WORK. THE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT TO THE NEAREST MAZDA DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR, OUT OF CONCERN THAT DAMAGE TO THE BELT MIGHT OCCUR. IN REVIEWING MY FILES LATER, I FOUND AN AUGUST 2010 NOTICE FROM MAZDA ADVISING ME THAT THE MODEL YEAR OF MY CAR MIGHT HAVE THIS PROBLEM, AND THAT THE WARRANTY COVERAGE WOULD BE EXTENDED TO 5 YEARS OR 60,000 MILES. IT FURTHER STATED THAT NO ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN UNLESS I WAS EXPERIENCING AN ISSUE WITH THIS COMPONENT OF MY CAR, WHICH I WASN'T AT THAT TIME. UNFORTUNATELY, MY PROBLEM DID NOT EMERGE UNTIL NOW, AND IS NOT COVERED BY THIS WARRANTY EXTENSION SINCE I NOW HAVE 75000 MILES ON MY CAR. HOWEVER, AIR CONDITIONER UNITS NORMALLY DO NOT FAIL ON CARS OF THIS AGE AND THE NOTICE FROM MAZDA MAKES IT CLEAR THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT MAZDA SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND COVER THE COST OF REPLACING THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT IN MY CAR. *TR

Mileage: 75,400

MAZDA CX-7 2008; I PURCHASED THE CAR IN SEPTEMBER 2007 AND IT CURRENTLY HAS 19,908 MILES. THE AC IS BREAKING DOWN. WHILE I'M DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH, THE PRESSURE OR HIGH AC AIR PRESSURE DROPS AND HOT AIR COMES OUT. I ALSO EXPERIENCED BURNING SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. I HAD THE CAR INSPECTED BY THE DEALER BACK ON AUGUST 3, 2012 AND THEY REPLACED THE VALVE COVER. ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2012 I WAS DRIVING AGAIN ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY FAMILY AND WE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE AC PRESSURE DROPPED, HOT AIR WAS FLOWING OUT OF THE AC AND WE SMELLED BURNING SMOKE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THIS MORNING AND THEY ARE NOW ADVISING ME THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE THE BLOWER FAN WHICH IS OUT OF WARRANTY (3 YEARS/36K MILES) AND WILL COST $500. I HAVE NO PROBLEMS PAYING FOR A PART, BUT THE VALVE COVER, BLOWER FAN, OR AC ITEMS SHOULDN'T BE BREAKING DOWN AT 19K ORIGINAL MILES. I ASKED WAYNE MAZDA SERVICE CONSULTANT: ANTHONY CUNHA IF THE BLOWER FAN WAS PART OF THE AC COMPRESSOR AND HE SAID, "NO". I STRONGLY FEEL THAT MAZDA INSTALLED FAULTY AC COMPRESSOR/UNITS ON THE 2008 CX-7. THIS ISSUE HAS TO BE INVESTIGATED BEFORE A CAR CATCHES ON FIRE AND PEOPLE GET BURNED ALIVE OR WORSE, A MULTIPLE CAR CRASH ON THE ROAD RESULTING IN DEATHS. *TR

Mileage: 19,002

ON MY WAY TO WORK I GLANCED IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT FROM BEHIND MY CAR. I LOOKED AT MY GAUGES AND NOTICED THAT MY BATTERY LIGHT WAS ON AND MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS ALL THE WAY ON HOT. PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND, AS I PULLED OVER MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I SHUT OFF THE CAR AND CALLED MY HUSBAND (WHO OWNS A COLLISION REPAIR SHOP AND A TOW TRUCK) AND TOLD HIM TO COME AND GET ME AND MY DISABLED CAR. AS I SAT IN MY CAR WAITING, A POLICE OFFICER CAME TO CHECK THAT I WAS O.K. THE OFFICER SAT IN HIS CAR BEHIND ME FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND THEN BACKED OUT AND LEFT. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES OF THE OFFICER LEAVING A GENTLEMAN AND HIS WIFE PULLED OVER A GOOD WAY UP IN FRONT OF MY CAR. THE GENTLEMAN GOT OUT OF HIS CAR AND STARTED RUNNING TO ME SHOUTING GET OUT, GET OUT, YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE!? THE GENTLEMAN CALLED 911 TO SUMMON THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. AS WE WAITED FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT A HIGHWAY PATROL ASSISTANCE VEHICLE PULLED OVER BECAUSE THEY HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. MY HUSBAND ARRIVED AND TOOK THE CAR BACK TO HIS PLACE OF BUSINESS. OUR INSURANCE WAS COMPANY WAS CALLED AND THEY SENT A CLAIMS ADJUSTER OUT TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE. OUR CLAIMS ADJUSTER DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE HAD STARTED WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HAD CAUSED $3,900.00 IN DAMAGE TO THE MECHANICALS OF THE CAR. *TR

Mileage: 87,000

THIS MAZDA CX-7 IS AT A MAZDA DEALER'S SERVICE CENTER RIGHT NOW GETTING THE TIMING CHAIN REPLACED, VVT ISSUE CORRECTED, A NEW TURBO SYSTEM TO KEEP IT FROM DUMPING TONS OF BLUE SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST, A/C SYSTEM FIXED, AND THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUE AS WELL. NOT HAPPY OBVIOUSLY, AS THESE ARE ALL KNOW ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. MAZDA HAS AGREED TO PAY FOR THE TIMING CHAIN, BUT THE REST COMES OUT OF MY POCKET. *TR

Mileage: 62,501

MAZDA HAS A BULLETIN OUT TO MECHANICS ABOUT CX-7'D TIMING CHAIN. THE TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM COULD CEASE AN ENGINE ON A HIGHWAY AND CAUSE SAFTEY HAZARDS. MAZDA IS ALSO REFUSING REPAIRS ON MY TIMING CHAIN BECAUSE I CANNOT PRODUCE THE PAPERWORK FOR MY OIL CHANGES. I EVEN HAVE A 70,000 MILE WARRANTY WHICH WAS EXTENDED BECAUSE OF THE TIMING CHAIN PROBLEMS. I EVEN CALLED MY BANK TO GET STATEMENTS PROVING PAYMENT IN THE SAME AMOUNT FOR THE PLACE I GET MY OIL CHANGES DONE, WHICH MAZDA HAS A COUPLE COPIES OF, BUT THEY REFUSED BANK STATEMENTS. THIS IS HORRIBLE BUSINESS PRACTICE AND US, CONSUMERS SHOULD BE PROTECTED AGAINST THIS. MY CAR HAS 65,000 MILES AND I'M STILL MAKING CAR PAYMENTS. I CAN GUARENTEE I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER MAZDA AND WILL TELL EVERYONE I KNNOW AND POST IT ON EVERY SITE I CAN. *TT

ONE MORNING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURN ON, THE COMPUTER CODE CAME BACK AS EGR VAL,I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR OVER 3YRS THIS IS A PRICEY PART, I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCE THIS AS SOON AS THEY REACH THE 62K MILES THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I HOPE THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH A NOISE THAT THE ENGINE HAVE EVER SINCE O BOUGHT IT WHICH THE SAID IT WAS NORMAL... AS PER THE TIRES I HAD TO REPLACE THEM AS SOON AS I REACHED THE 1 YR, NEVER WILL I BUY A MAZDA AGAIN.... *TR

Mileage: 62,636

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. TURNS OUT THE TIMING CHAIN, GASKETS, LOCK, AND BOLT, OIL PAN GASKET, AND EGR VALVE NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 37,437 MILES ON IT. TO HAVE MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEMS IS RIDICULOUSLY UNSAFE. MAZDA HAS MANY CASES WITH THESE SAME ISSUES AND YET HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. EVEN WITH THE WARRANTY COVERING ENGINE PARTS/LABOR IT'S ABSURD! THEY NEED TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR SELLING LEMONS TO THE PUBLIC. *KB

Mileage: 37,437

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR CLOSE TO HOME AND I WAS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 30 MPH. I HEARD A FEW TAPS AND THEN TURNED OFF THE HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING. AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY, THE NOISE RESUMED AND A BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL STARTED AND ACTUALLY THE SMELL REMAINED THE ENTIRE NIGHT. I HAD IT TOWED THE NEXT DAY TO MY LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR PLACE AND AS IT CURRENTLY STANDS THE CLUTCH BURNED UP IN THE COMPRESSOR AND THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, RUSSEL, IN BALTIMORE AND ASKED IF THERE HAD BEEN THESE PROBLEMS AND I WAS TOLD NO. I HAVE SINCE READ MANY STORIES THAT ARE ABOUT THE SAME. *TR

Mileage: 61,000

I WAS TRAVELING IN VALENCIA ON THE 5 FREEWAY AND THE INTERIOR OF MY 2008 MAZDA CX-7 FILLED WITH SMOKE TO THE POINT WHERE I FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. I PULLED TO THE EXIT (MAGIC MOUNTAIN PKWY) AND PULLED TO THE SIDE TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES I LIFTED THE HOOD TO FIND THAT THE ENGINE WAS STILL SMOKING AROUND THE BELT AREA. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO FIRESTONE NEWHALL, CA WHERE THEY ARE STILL LOOKING AT IT. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE AC COMPRESSOR SEIZED CAUSING THE BELT TO FIRE AND ALMOST CATCH FIRE. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. *TR

Mileage: 59,600

ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2011 OUR 2008 MAZDA CX-7 EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY: THE ENGINE HAD NOT PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS OR MADE ANY UNUSUAL NOISES, NO INDICATOR LIGHTS HAD SIGNALED A PROBLEM, AND WE HAD MADE OIL AND OIL FILTER CHANGES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. THE FAILURE CREATED AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AS THE CAR LOST POWER AND THIS MEANT THAT SEVERAL CRITICAL FUNCTIONS, MOST NOTABLY, THE STEERING, WERE SEVERELY COMPROMISED; THE DRIVER ONLY JUST MANAGED TO BRING THE CAR TO A SAFE STOP. THE MAZDA SERVICE CENTER EXAMINED THE ENGINE OF THE CAR ON SEPTEMBER 26 AND REPORTED THAT THE PISTON IN THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER HAD FAILED DAMAGING THE ENGINE BEYOND REPAIR. THE SERVICE MANAGER VERIFIED OUR MAINTENANCE RECORDS AND INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FREE OF SLUDGE OR OTHER BUILD UP. *TR

Mileage: 61,996

PURCHASED MY 2008 MAZDA CX7 BRAND NEW 12/08/2008. STARTED NOTICING WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPES WHILE IDLING AND I LIVED IN SOUTH FLORIDA AT THE TIME. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE CAR WAS LEAKING OIL AND THEY WANTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM BY PUTTING IN OIL THAT WOULD COST OVER $100 PER OIL CHANGE. AFTER PUTTING IN THE OIL THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND THEY THEN STATED THAT THE ONLY FIX WOULD BE TO REPLACE THE TURBO AND THAT I HAD TO CONTACT CORPORATE TO GET IT FIXED. AFTER SPEAKING WITH CORPORATE THE TURBO WAS REPLACED, BUT I AM NOW HAVING WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR AGAIN AND I AM AT 45,500 MILES. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT I SEE LISTED OFTEN ON THIS SITE AND WITH SOME CARS STARTING ON FIRE. I HOPE THAT WOULD NOT HAPPEN, BUT IF MAZDA HAS CHANGED THE TURBO DUE TO THIS PROBLEM IN NEWER MODELS A RECALL SHOULD BE LOOKED AT TO KEEP THE PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING. *TR

Mileage: 11,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE EGR VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

Mileage: 45,900

I HAVE A 2008 CX-7 WITH A FAILED EGR VALVE. THEY REFUSE TO COVER THIS PART UNDER MY POWER-TRAIN WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THIS IS CLEARLY AN EMISSIONS FAILURE. I HAVE BEEN DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY'S WEBSITE AND IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS ARE REQUIRED TO DESIGN AND BUILD THEIR VEHICLES TO MEET EMISSION STANDARDS FOR THE USEFUL LIFE OF THE VEHICLE SPECIFIED BY LAW. UNDER SECTION 207 OF THE CLEAN AIR ACT, IF EPA DETERMINES THAT A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF VEHICLES IN A CLASS OR CATEGORY DO NOT MEET EMISSION STANDARDS IN ACTUAL USE EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND USED, EPA CAN REQUIRE THE MANUFACTURER TO RECALL AND FIX THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. MY CAR HAS LESS THEN 30,000 MILE ON IT AND THE ERG VALVE SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT ALREADY. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY $712 TO REPLACE A PART THAT DOES NOT MEET EMISSION STANDARDS SET FORTH BY CALIFORNIA. IT IS NOT JUST MY VEHICLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM, THE MORE RESEARCH I DO THE MORE I REALIZE THAT THIS AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH MULTIPLE MAZDA CONSUMERS. *TR

Mileage: 28,000

I PURCHASED A MAZDA CX-7 NEW IN 2008. I RECENTLY EXPERIENCE TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE WHILE RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY DAUGHTER. THE MAZDA DEALER LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND CONTACTED THE WARRANTY COMPANY AND MAZDA ON THIS ISSUE, MAZDA STATED THERE WAS "SLUDGE" IN THE ENGINE AND THAT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THEY STATED THIS MUST'VE BEEN CAUSED BY OWNER MAINTENANCE, HOWEVER, I HAVE MAINTAINED THE CAR AS STATED IN THE MANUAL. THE COMPANY STATED WE NEED TO PRODUCE COPIES OF ALL OF OUR OIL CHANGES SINCE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE DATES/MILEAGE AT THE OIL CHANGE. WE DID NOT HAVE THIS INFORMATION, HOWEVER MANY COMPLAINANTS WHO HAVE PRODUCED THE OIL CHANGE HISTORY ARE STILL DENIED WARRANTY CLAIMS. THIS ISSUE OF SLUDGE IS NOT ONLY CAUSES BY THE OWNER, BUT ALSO CAUSED BY MANUFACTURED DEFECTS AS IN THE TOYOTA CASE. MANY OTHER MAZDA OWNERS AND MECHANICS HAVE STATED THE TURBO CHARGING IN THE NEW MAZDA CX-7 HAS STARTED TO "COOK" THE OIL TOO FAST AND THIS CAUSES THE SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE, HOWEVER MAZDA WILL NOT OWN UP TO THIS DEFECT AND HONOR THE WARRANTY AND THIS VEHICLE. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN SITED ISSUES OF THE TIMING CHAIN CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE HOWEVER MAZDA WOULD NOT LOOK AT ANY OTHER ISSUES. MY VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY AND A DEFECT OF THE ENGINE GOING OUT SHOULD BE COVERED. MAZDA IS ILLEGALLY MAKING THE ALLEGATION ABOUT THE OWNERS OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE ENGINE FAILURE IN A CAR ONLY TWO YEARS OLD, ONLY TO NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A PROBLEM IT HAS CAUSED. PLEASE HELP ME AND OTHER MAZDA OWNERS CORRECT THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE CURRENTLY MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS AGAINST MAZDA AND MANY VEHICLE OWNERS SUCH AS MYSELF ARE WITHOUT A VEHICLE WHILE IN LITIGATION WITH THIS ISSUE. THE REPAIRS WOULD COST OVER $7000. I HAVE ALSO COPIED AND PASTED THE FORUM IN WHICH OVER 100 PEOPLE HAVE DISCUSSED THIS EXACT TREND IN THEIR VEHICLES AND MAZDA BEING LESS THAN WILLING TO FURTHER ASSIST WITH THIS ISSUE. HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F1826A6/100. *TR

Mileage: 56,000

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON IN MY 2008 MAZDA CX-9. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THE EGR VALVE HAS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO IT BEING WARN OUT. MAZDA STATES THIS PART DOES NOT FALL UNDER EMISSIONS WARRANTY. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MAZDA'S AND I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD BE PAYING $1200.00 TO FIX A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD. MAZDA HAS BEEN NO HELP JUST TRYING EXTORT MONEY FROM CONSUMERS. *TR

Mileage: 42,000

2008 MAZDA CX 7 GRAND TOURING - PURCHASED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE FROM A CERTIFIED MAZDA DEALER IN OCTOBER 2008, HAD A LOUD ENGINE SOUND AND DEALER ADVISED THIS WAS "NORMAL", JUST BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRATION FOUND THAT TRANSMISSION SEAL WAS BAD AND REPLACED THIS AS WELL AS THE RECALLED COMPRESSOR. NOW AT 64K AND NOISE IN ENGINE IS GETTING WORSE AND IT IS IN FACT THE TIMING CHAIN LAPPING. FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THE CHAIN BREAK LEAVING THEM STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. ALSO FOUND THAT THE ENTIRE CASING AND THE TENSIONING BELT/MECHANISM IS FAILING. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND I AM SURPRISED THAT NO ONE HAS RECALLED THIS, IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THE 07 MODEL AS WELL. WILL REQUEST OLD PARTS BE KEPT. CURRENTLY BEING WORKED ON. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

I HAVE A 2008 MAZDA CX7 WITH 60,000 MILES. MY AC COMPRESSOR JUST WENT OUT. FIRST NOTICED A SLIGHT SQUEALING NOISE WHICH I THOUGHT MIGHT BE A LOOSE BELT. THE NEXT DAY I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL LIKE BURNING RUBBER. CAR SEEMED TO DRIVE FINE. TWO DAYS LATER I FINALLY GOT IT CHECKED OUT AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE COMPRESSOR AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I DIDN'T GET IT FIXED RIGHT AWAY BUT THEY DID TELL ME I SHOULDN'T WAIT TOO LONG CAUSE OF POSSIBLE LOCK UP AND BELT BREAKING. LATER THAT NIGHT WHEN I TURNED ON THE CAR THERE WAS A SQUEALING SOUND AND LIGHTS WENT CRAZY AND DIDN'T WANT TO START. I TURNED IT OFF THEN TRIED AGAIN. IT BARELY STARTED THAT TIME. THE VERY NEXT MORNING IT DID THE SAME THING AND I DROVE IT STRAIGHT TO BE FIXED. WENT HE MECHANIC TURNED THE CAR ON TO MOVE IT FINALLY LOCKED UP AND WOULDN'T START. I DID NOT HAVE IT REPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE EVERYONE SAYS IT'S MORE EXPENSIVE. THE PLACE THAT FIXED IT GAVE ME TWO OPTIONS OF FIXING. JUST THE AC COMPRESSOR OR THE COMPRESSOR, EXPANSION VALVE AND RECEIVER DRYER. THEY TOLD ME I COULD JUST DO THE COMPRESSOR WHICH IS WHAT I DID. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

I'M MEXICAN WOMAN . THE FIRST OF AUGUST 2010 TO GO ON THE ROAD (TOWARDS THE CITY OF QUERETARO, MEXICO, IN A VAN MAZDA CX 7 2008 MODEL FIRST AND LET THE AIR CONDITIONING RUNNING, THEN STARTED TO SMOKE THE DRIVER'S SIDE, SUDDENLY THE SHORT TIME STOPPED THE CAR AND WHEN WE GOT OFF SHORE AND WE SAW THAT WAS ON FIRE, STOPPED THE FIRE AND WATER DAMAGE, ACCORDING TO THE AGENCY ARE OF 46 THOUSAND PESOS AS TWO MONTHS AGO THAT ENDED OUR WARRANTY DOES NOT WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INCIDENT . WE WERE ALL FAMILY, INCLUDING MY SUN OF FOUR YEARS, I THINK THAT COULD HAD PASSED IF THE CAR HAD EXPLODED, WE TOOK GASOLINE 30 MINUTES PREVIOUS TO THE FIRE . I'VE GOTTEN A NUMBER OF FORUMS TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS AND THERE ARE SCORES EQUAL TO THAT OF THE SAME MODEL. THERE ARE OTHERS IN THE CX 9 THAT EVEN IF YOU ALREADY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE AGENCY IS ALSO A RISK OF FIRE TRUCKS WERE SUMMONED AC. IN OUR CASE SAY IT IS FOR USE AND IS NOT FACTORY DEFECT NOTHING, NOT EVEN NOW DENY THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR AND THIS WAS WHAT WE HAD SAID NOW SAY IT'S PULLEYS. HONESTLY I'M DESPERATE, I WANT TO HELP, SEE QE MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND IS NOT FAIR IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND ESPECIALLY DJANDO THE MONEY WAS REALLY TERRIBLE, I WAS SHOCKED MUCHISIMO FEARED FOR OUR LIVES AND I THINK THAT IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER AND ARE NOT TAKING WELL. PLEASE I NEED HELP. THE ONLY THING I'M TOLD BY PHONE MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE IN MEXICO IS THAT THERE IS NOTHING TO DO AND THERE IS NO INSTANCE WHERE TO TURN, THIS SCARES ME A LOT I CAN NOT BELIEVE IT. *TR

Mileage: 35,960

2008 MAZDA CX-7 AIR COMPRESSOR FAILED AT 42,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD A FEW DAYS AGO. APPEARS TO BE A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 2007 AND THE 2008 MAZDA CX-7 MODELS THAT WERE BUILT IN '07 (AS IS THE CASE WITH MY '08). MAZDA NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND RECALL THE 2007 AND 2008 MAZDA CX-7 AND REPLACE THE AIR COMPRESSOR. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE A/C OFF AND DRIVE MY CAR TO SAFETY. NOT EVERYONE HAS BEEN THAT FORTUNATE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A HORRIFIC ISSUE HAD I BEEN TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WITH SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR. THIS IS NOT JUST AN A/C ISSUE. ONCE THE COMPRESSOR ON THE MAZDA CX-7 FAILS, THERE ARE A LIMITED # OF MILES THE CAR CAN TRAVEL UNTIL THERE ARE ENGINE ISSUES - EVEN WITH THE A/C TURNED OFF - WILL STILL CAUSE ENGINE PROBLEMS IF NOT FIXED IMMEDIATELY. *TR

Mileage: 42,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX-7. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL SQUEALING NOISE AND STALLED. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WAS EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL SLUDGE BUILDUP AND THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,800.

Mileage: 36,800

MAZDA CX7- TURBO ENGINE FAILURE. EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND BURNING OIL LEAD TO TURBO FAILURE AND CEASED ENGINE. JUNE 30, 2010. HAD TO PAY $10,000 TO REPLACE ENGINE AND OTHER MAJOR PARTS IN SUV.MAZDA BLAMED CUSTOMER ALTHOUGH THERE ARE 100'S OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS VERY ISSUE WHEREAS THE CUSTOMER WAS ULTIMATELY BLAMED. IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED ABOUT THE EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION AND ENGINE CEASING ON THESE VEHICLE. EACH COMPLAINT HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AND END RESULTS. CUSTOMER IS BLAMED FOR LACK OF OIL CHANGES AND THEREFORE BLAMED ON THE FAILURE OF THIS VEHICLE.I EVENTUALLY HAD ALL OF MY OIL CHANGE CERTIFICATES AND WAS TOLD BY MAZDA THEY DO NOT HONOR HAND WRITTEN RECEIPTS. MAZDA ONLY WANTED COMPUTERIZED RECEIPTS. ALL OF MY MAINTENANCE WAS DONE BY MECHANICS THAT HAVE A COMBINED 50 YEARS IN BUSINESS .THAT WAS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR THEM. THERE FORE I HAD TO PAY THIS HUGE BILL TO GET MY VEHICLE BACK. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

THIS NARRATIVE IS ABOUT TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE IN A MAZDA CX-7 2008. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. I GOT REGULAR OIL CHANGES WELL WITHIN THE MANUAL RECOMMENDED 5000-7500 MILES. ONE MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK, THE CAR SIMPLY STOPPED ACCELERATING WHEN I HIT A SMALL HILL. THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NO WARNING, NOTHING. I DROVE THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TO MAZDA SERVICE. AS I WAS DRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID IN FACT COME ON. UPON LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM, THE DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT IT AN DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE AND THAT THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED. I HAD A WARRANTY YET MAZDA REFUSED TO COVER IT DUE TO "LACK OF MAINTENANCE" FROM OWNER. I WAS FORCED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AND WAS TOLD IF I WENT THE ROUTE OF ANOTHER ENGINE FROM A DIFFERENT MECHANIC OR MANUFACTURER, THAT THE ENGINE WOULD BE BRANDED. THEREFORE, I ENDED UP PAYING $7600. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND STORY AFTER STORY WITH THE SAME PLOT LINE. THIS ENGINE MUST BE RECALLED. IT IS FAULTY AND DANGEROUS AND MAZDA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT FOR FINANCIAL REASONS. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

I OWN A MAZDA 2008 CX7 SPORT - PURCHASED NEW ON 11/28/2007. I HAVE 62,500 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER ON 6/22/2010 WITH LOUD WHINING NOISE AND LOSS OF POWER. DEALER SAID THE TURBO IS MALFUNCTIONED. OVER THE NEXT WEEK THE EXTENDED SERVICE COMPANY FOR MAZDA REQUESTED MAINTENANCE RECORDS. I HAD THE OIL CHANGED OUTSIDE OF THE DEALER SOME OF THE TIME. THEY LOOKED AT THIS AND DECLINED THE WARRANTY REPAIRS. I KEPT CALLING AND THEY AGREED TO SEND OUT AN INDEPENDENT ADJUSTER. HE NOTED A "SLUDGE" BUILD UP ON THE OIL RETURN HOSE BOLT TO THE TURBO. THEY DECLINED MY WARRANTY COVERAGE. I AM HAVING TO PAY $2500 TO REPAIR. I HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH ONLINE AND THIS VEHICLE IS HAVING NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH SLUDGE BUILDUP. THIS COMES FROM THE ENGINE RUNNING TO HOT AND BREAKING THE OIL DOWN TO CREATE BLOCKAGES THAT ULTIMATELY AFFECT THE TURBO OR OTHER INTERNAL ENGINE PARTS. IF YOU LOOK ON EDMUNDS WEBSITE YOU CAN SEE THEIR ARE OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. MAZDA WILL NOT MAKE THE RECALL OR ASSIST THE CONSUMERS. WE FOLLOW THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS ON OIL CHANGE AND ARE GETTING NO ASSISTANCE. I AM AFRAID THAT I WILL HAVE ADDITIONAL ISSUES ONCE THIS IS REPAIRED AND THEY WILL DECLINE FUTURE SERVICE. HAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP? I ACTUALLY HAVE THE DEALERS PRINTED COPY OF WHERE THEY REPAIRED THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER IN APRIL AT 57K MILES. ACCORDING TO THE SUPERVISOR FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE AT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OFFICE HIS COMPUTER RECORDS SHOW THEY REPAIRED THE SERPENTINE BELT FOR LESS MONEY THAT THE DEALER RECORDS I HAVE IN HAND. WHAT IS GOING ON THIS JUST DOES NOT SEEM HONEST. I NEED HELP AND THERE ARE OTHERS WITH THE SAME SITUATION OVER THE LAST YEAR - SOME HAVING TO SPEND $7500 + OUT OF POCKET TO REPAIR THEIR CX7. PLEASE CALL ME FOR HELP. *TR

Mileage: 62,500

THE OIL LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT ON MY CAR CAME ON THE EVENING OF JUNE 8, 2010, AND STALLED IMMEDIATELY. THAT NIGHT I POURED 5 QUARTS OF OIL INTO MY ENGINE. THE FAULT WAS EVENTUALLY DISCOVERED TO BE A MISSING GASKET AT THE OIL FILTER CAP WHICH ALLOWED OIL TO SEEP OUT OF THE CAR NONSTOP SINCE MY LAST OIL CHANGE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE OIL LIGHT ONLY CAME ON AFTER THERE WAS VIRTUALLY NO OIL LEFT IN THE CAR. IF I HAD BEEN ON A HIGHWAY AT THE TIME, I WOULD HAVE HAD ALMOST NO WARNING BEFORE MY ENGINE DIED OUT ON ME. NOW, THE ENTIRE ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT RAN FOR 2 MILES WITH OIL. *TR

Mileage: 17,000

I WAS DRIVING TO MY DESTINATION WHEN THE A/C STOPPED WORKING AND I SMELLED/SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH MY VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR COMPRESSOR WAS LOCKED UP AND THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT A FEW DAYS FOR A REPLACEMENT PART OR DRIVE HOME WITHOUT THE A/C IN 90+ DEGREE HEAT. REMEDY, REPLACED AIR COMPRESSOR AT A COST OF $957.43 AND BY THE WAY THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 39203 MILES ON IT. *TR

Mileage: 39,203

I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 MAZDA CX-7 FROM BAYTOWN, TEXAS TO KILLEEN, TEXAS WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED WORKING. APPROXIMATELY 3-5 MILES LATER WHITE SMOKE BILLOWED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND MY STEERING LOCKED. BECAUSE THERE WAS NO SUITABLE TERRAIN ON THE RIGHT AND BECAUSE I WAS STEERING AROUND A RIGHT-TURN, I WAS FORCED TO PULL TO THE LEFT. BECAUSE OF THE SMOKE AND THE DISTRACTION CAUSED BY THE INCIDENT, I DID NOT REALIZE THAT THERE WAS A SEMI-TRUCK HEADING TOWARDS ME IN THE OTHER LANE. IF IT WASN'T FOR THE ADEPT HANDLING OF THE TRUCK DRIVE, I WOULD HAVE SURELY GONE HEAD ON AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I WAS TOWED TO BRYAN, TEXAS WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AFTER A WHOLE DAY IN THE SHOP. THEY REPAIRED THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR, AN ENGINE MOUNT, A PULLEY I BELIEVE AND SOME OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS TO THE TUNE OF OVER $1,400. I WAS EXTREMELY UPSET WHEN I FOUND OUT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM...ONE THAT NEARLY CAUSED ME MY LIFE. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN THAT DRIVE WITH ME EXTREMELY FREQUENTLY AND I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT NOTHING S BEING DONE ABOUT MAZDA PLACING PEOPLE IN DANGER LIKE THIS. *TR

Mileage: 47,800

SUDDEN AC CLUTCH/COMPRESSOR FAILURE WITH 29000 MILES ON VEHICLE. DIDN'T NOTICE UNTIL WE STOPPED AT A SCENIC OVERLOOK OFF I 75 IN TN AND HAD HEAVY WHITE SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD W/ A GRINDING BEARING NOISE. REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOT SURE IF W/ AN UPDATED PART(S). RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM W/ THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 29,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA CX7. WHILE DRIVING BLACK SMOKE WAS EXPELLED THROUGH THE VENTS OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING CLUTCH AND BELT HAD FAILED. HE THEN ADDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. HOWEVER,THE ESTIMATED COST FOR THE REPAIR WAS $1,243.00. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A REPORT, AND A REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THEY WOULD ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 42,000.

Mileage: 42,000

2008 MAZDA CX-7 A/C COMPRESSOR FAILURE SENDING SPARKS OUT FROM UNIT, INSIDE ENGINE BAY. *TR

Mileage: 42,000

MAZDA USING THE WRONG OIL. RECENTLY HAD THE OIL CHANGED IN MY 2008 MAZDA CX-7. WHEN I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT THE CAR SMOKED LIKE CRAZY. THEY SAID THEY WERE USING THE WRONG OIL SO THEY REPLACED IT WITH 5W-30 INSTEAD OF 5W-20. THEN CAR CONTINUED TO SMOKE. SO NEXT DAY THEY PUT 5W-40 IN IT. THE OIL IS LEAKING INTO THE TURBO CREATING A FIRE HAZARD. *TR

Mileage: 17,500

2008 MAZDA CX7, A/C COMPRESSOR LOCKED UP,BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW FROM DEALER AND ONLY AT 14,500 MILES IT LOCKS UP ON ME. *TR

Mileage: 14,586

ON 6/17/09, MY 2008 MAZDA CX-7 ERUPTED IN SMOKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH MY 1 & 3 YEAR OLD. I WAS TERRIFIED IT WOULD CATCH ON FIRE & LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO GET MY BOYS AND I OUT SAFELY OFF THE FREEWAY. HERZOG MEIER MAZDA IN BEAVERTON, OR CONFIRMED IT WAS THE AC COMPRESSOR THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BREAK DOWN. THE ESTIMATE TO FIX WAS $2400. I DECIDED TO GO ONLINE & DO RESEARCH. I WAS OUTRAGED BY WHAT I DISCOVERED. THERE ARE ENDLESS AMOUNTS OF CX7 OWNERS WHO ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE A/C COMPRESSOR MOST WITH LESS MILEAGE THAN MY VEHICLE. I CALLED MAZDA TO FILE A COMPLAINT TODAY. MAZDA SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ERROR & DO A RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 56,000

PURCHASED VEHICLE IN 1/2008. 2008 MAZDA CX-7 WE TOOK A TRIP FROM SALT LAKE CITY, UT TO LAS VEGAS, NV THE WEEKEND OF MAY 1-3, 208. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, ALONG WITH THE AT LIGHT WHEN WE CLIMBED ANY SORT OF A HILL ON I-15 I MADE AN APPOINTMENT ON MAY 4TH THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP (D. DAHLE MAZDA SALT LAKE CITY) DID THE REPAIRS WHEN I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE, TRANSMISSION WAS REPROGRAMMED BECAUSE THE SHIFT POINTS WERE NOT CORRECT. MILEAGE OUT WAS 10408 ON 5/18/09 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON I-15 WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE AND AT LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN JUST NORTH OF MILE MARKER 185. SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE VENTS WHEN SHE PULLEDOVER. WITNESSES RAN UP TO THE CAR YELLING FOR HER TO GET OUT, THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. DRIVERS AREA WAS FULLY ENGULFED. ALTHOUGH SHE WAS NOT INJURED (THANK GOD) IT WAS A NARROW ESCAPE ACCORDING TO WITNESSES CONTACTED MAZDA ROAD SIDE SERVICE THEY CONTACTED STEELE TOWING. FLAGGED DOWN TWO SEMI DRIVERS, THEY GOT OUT THERE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND DISCHARGED THEM THE VEHICLE BECAME FULLY ENGULFED, AND ENDED UP HAVING AN EXPLOSION UHP ARRIVED ON SCENE (TROOPER DEREK SPENCER BADGE # 341 ) LOCAL FIRE ARRIVED. TWO FIRE TRUCKS ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO STEELE TOWING IN NEPHI, UT MET STEELE TOWING AT 8:00 A.M. NEXT MORNING BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO D. DAHLE MAZDA IN SALT LAKE CITY CLOSE TO 200 PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE VEHICLE AND SPOKE WITH THE TOWING COMPANY. CONTACTED ROB MEYER GENERAL MANAGER DURING OUR DRIVE HOME. ALL HE WOULD SAY TO US IS 'TO CONTACT OUR INSURANCE COMPANY'. THIS IS NOT AN INSURANCE ISSUE. THIS IS A FAULTY VEHICLE, A DEALERSHIP, AND AUTO MANUFACTURER THAT WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY AND KEEPS DIRECTING US TO CONTACT OUR INSURANCE COMPANY. I DO NOT WANT TO SEE THIS HAPPEN TO ANOTHER PERSON.. THIS IS OF GREAT CONCERN TOWARDS CONSUMERS, VEHICLE SAFETY AND THE UNWILLINGNESS OF THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARD THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC. MUCH MORE DOCUMENTATION, PHOTOGRAPHS. *TR

Mileage: 10,408

WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW FROM A MAZDA DEALER. FROM THE TIME WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I HAVE NOTICED EXCESSIVE CARBON BUILDUP AROUND THE EXHAUST OPENINGS AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ARE GETTING RED HOT. THE CHROME EXHAUST TIPS ARE NOW DISCOLORED DUE TO THE HEAT. THIS VEHICLE WAS CHECKED SEVERAL DAYS AFTER PURCHASE, WHERE ACCORDING TO THE MAZDA DEALER, THERE WERE NO ISSUES. WE MOVED, AND A NEW MAZDA DEALER IS SERVICING THE VEHICLE. TODAY, 03-18-09 IT WAS AGAIN CHECKED DIAGNOSTICIANS WITH NO ISSUES. WHEN THIS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES OR MORE THE EXHAUST SYSTEM GETS EXTREMELY HOT. IT IS THIS "LAYMAN'S OPINION" THAT THIS ENGINE IS RUNNING VERY RICH, "STARVING FOR AIR". I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL EVENTUALLY CATCH FIRE FROM THE EXCESSIVE HEAT GENERATED AT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND TRANSMITTED THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. (LAST TRIP BACK FROM PHILA AREA WAS 03-11-09...I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT PARKING IT IN THE GARAGE UNTIL IT COOLED DOWN). *TR