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Mazda CX-7 2012 Problems

Are you having problems with your 2012 Mazda CX-7? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest 2012 Mazda CX-7 issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the 2012 Mazda CX-7 in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

Toyota Kluger: What SUV would have less cabin noise?

So many things affect road noise, which makes it difficult to fix. There’s the road surface itself, the tyres, and the noise insulation in the vehicle. The Honda CR-V might well be quieter, but could still be noisy on the roads you drive on. If the road noise is the thing that is making you switch vehicles, then it might be worth talking to a tyre dealer about a tyre that might be quieter than the ones on your Kluger. If you want to go down that road, you could try a Mazda CX-5 or CX-7, a Kia Sorento or Sportage, Toyota RAV4.

Mazda CX-7 2009: How reliable is it?

The CX-7 is a well-built, roomy, medium-sized SUV with the choice of 2.5-litre petrol engine and a 2.2-litre diesel. The diesel is the more economical of the two. Reliability is not a concern, you can buy with confidence.

Mazda, BMW affected again by Takata recalls
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced another round of safety recalls, with models from Mazda, Holden, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar affected.
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Used Mazda CX-7 review: 2006-2012

Mazda CX-7 entered new territory when launched downunder in November 2006. Most in this class were SUVs that were a cross between a station wagon and a 4WD.

But, the CX-7 is a cross between a hot-hatch and an SUV. Powered by a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine closely related to the MPS power units used in the Mazda3 and ‘6 passenger cars it has175 kW and a hefty 350Nm so gets up and boogies. Not surprisingly it likes a drink. 

The CX-7 really isn’t intended to do any more than mild off-road running. You could conceivably take it onto a beach, but most owners are unlikely to go beyond dirt tracks.

Note that the ‘7’ stands for medium-sized vehicle in Mazda terminology, not that it has seven seats (Mazda CX-9 fills that spot). The CX-7 has good interior space for four adults and a child. There's plenty of legroom in all seats, but the sunroof fitted in the upmarket versions steals a fair bit of headroom. Try before you buy.

a hot hatch

The sporty slope of the roof also limits what can be carried in the way of bulky items as the top of the rear hatch is almost over the rear-seat backrest. The boot floor is relatively high as is common in many wagons in this class, but the width and length make it a good load carrier.

On-road comfort and handing are more in line with that of a hot hatch than an SUV. The higher than average centre of gravity obviously slows it, but unless pushing hard few will approach the limits of the chassis.

In October 2009, Mazda expanded the CX-7 range, offering a cheaper model with 2WD and a lower power 2.5-litre non-turbo petrol engine with 120kW and 205Nm. Like its turbo-petrol brother it’s not particularly economical.

Economy was offered by a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine, also added to the range as part of the 2009 range revision and body makeover. The turbo-diesel has 129kW of power and 420Nm of torque.

Styling of the 2009 CX-7 saw a new radiator grille and head and fog-lights and a reshaping of the front bumper. Inside there’s a revised dash with a 3D look, changes to the instrument lighting and a new design of steering wheel incorporates controls for various in-car systems. A larger in-dash screen is fitted to all models.

Added sound deadening and a slight improvement in rigidity of the body give the 2009 to 2012 CX-7 a more sophisticated feel.

Mazda was one of the trailblazers amongst the Japanese marques first selling cars here in the early 1970s. Fifty years later it’s a major player and has showrooms and service centres Australian wide. Naturally, there’s a heavy concentration in urban and country city areas so if do live in more remote regions it’s wise to check on availability of spares and repairs before committing to buying a used one.

Insurance costs are generally moderate, with insurance companies apparently not having noticed Mazda sneaking semi hot-hatches onto the market.

Mazda CX-7 was quietly withdrawn from the market late in 2012, a victim of the even more stylish CX-5 that had been launched at the start of the year and was selling its wheels off. Resale value of the CX-7 doesn’t appear to have suffered from this.

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Used Mazda CX-7 review: 2009-2012

Mazda's heavy use of "Zoom Zoom" in its advertising was enough to tell you it was playing the sports card with its cars, no matter the model. The CX-7 SUV was no different.

From the moment the CX-7 was launched in 2006 Mazda pushed the sporty message, and it didn't back off with the introduction of the Series 2 in 2009.

Sleek, flowing lines helped smooth the traditional boxy SUV shape without affecting the all-important cabin space, while the traditional and popular high-riding stance was maintained to give CX-7 riders the great view of the road they so craved.

The CX-7 was a five-seater wagon that came in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions, and with petrol or diesel power options. At the bottom of the totem was the Classic front-wheel drive model, which offered a more affordable way into the CX-7 family.

As well as front-wheel drive the Classic had a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and five-speed automatic transmission. The bulk of the range boasted all-wheel drive, which carried the Sports tag. In most driving situations it worked as a regular front-driver, until slip was detected at the front wheels and then drive was directed to the rear wheels as well.








Two engines were on offer in the all-wheel drive models. They were a turbocharged 2.3-litre direct injection four-cylinder engine and a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel.

When the 2.3-litre turbo engine was chosen it was coupled to a six-speed sports auto; when the turbo-diesel was in play the transmission was a six-speed manual. Sadly, there was no auto option for diesel lovers.

On the open road the CX-7 was poised and assured with a nice balance of ride comfort and grip. The performance of the Classic's petrol four with the five-speed automatic was modest rather than inspiring; for that level of performance you needed to step up to the turbocharged four in the Sports models. And then you paid the penalty at the bowser.

With 400 Nm of torque the diesel happily pulled hard from low engine revs and delivered decent fuel economy.

Mazdas are well built and generally reliable, but it's still important to carefully check any car before buying it; you don't know what use/abuse previous owners have possibly subjected it to.

Servicing is one thing that is vital to long-term good health, particularly of the engines, and even more important with turbocharged engines. Regular oil changes avoid the build-up of sludge in an engine, and sludge is the number one killer of modern powerplants.

Of the CX-7 engines the 2.3-litre turbocharged engine is the one that needs extra special care when buying, the others are generally sound and reliable. Before buying a CX-7 with the turbocharged engine it's best to have it checked by a mechanic experienced in what to look for.

If you choose to check it yourself look for oil leaks around the engine, particularly around the turbocharger. An oil leak points to a problem with the turbo seal, a relatively common problem.

Reports from owners suggest that the turbocharger can also be problematic. If you believe that the performance of your potential purchase is not up to par when you road test it, walk away, it could be a sign the turbo is on its way out. If you see smoke coming from the exhaust definitely pass on the car, that's a sure sign of turbo trouble.

Listen intently for noise from the timing chain. It's quite common, and problems with the chain can lead to problems with the VVTi camshaft timing system. The VVTi sensor is an often-reported problem area.

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Complete guide to Mazda CX-7 2012
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