Of all of Mazda’s vehicles, the 2008 CX-7 is one of the least reliable. Drivers report engine and AC compressor failure, to name just two of its issues.

Written by Natalie Todoroff

Reviewed by Hillary Kobayashi

Updated on Jan 31, 2024

Table of Contents

How many miles can a 2008 Mazda CX-7 last?
Average life expectancy for a Mazda CX-7
FAQs

Mazdas have an average life expectancy of around 15 years, but the 2008 CX-7 skews that statistic. As one of the most complained about Mazda models, it’s not unusual for the ‘08 CX-7 to break down before the 80,000-mile mark.

In a perfect world, your Mazda may last you that long but in reality, it’s not uncommon for a 2008 CX-7 to putter out around 80,000 miles.
Maintenance is key to keeping your 2008 Mazda CX-7 running well.

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How many miles can a 2008 Mazda CX-7 last?

In theory, your 2008 Mazda CX-7 can keep chugging along for up to 250,000 miles. And, according to recent data from the Federal Highway Administration, the average American puts about 14,000 miles on their car each year. So, all totaled up, your ‘08 CX-7 could possibly last you just shy of 18 years.

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How long do Mazdas last?

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250,000 miles is a rather ambitious estimate, though. In a perfect world, your Mazda may last you that long but in reality, it’s not uncommon for a 2008 CX-7 to putter out around 80,000 miles—just under six years of ownership if you bought one new.

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Can a Mazda CX-7 last 500,000 miles?

If you take immaculate care of it—and never say never—then sure, it’s technically possible to get your 2008 Mazda CX-7 over the half-a-million mark. However, it’s very, very unlikely.

Although the ‘08 CX-7 is reportedly fun to drive, it’s much less fun to maintain, and earn a measly 3.5 out of 5 stars from RepairPal for reliability.

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Average life expectancy for a Mazda CX-7

Enough with the theoretical; let’s get into some real-world stats. On average, Mazdas have a life expectancy of about 15 years. In 2021, Consumer Reports named Mazda one of the three most reliable vehicle brands on the market, along with Lexus and Toyota. But the 2008 CX-7 is something of a special case.

We’ll take a better look at exactly what kind of problems you can expect, but be aware that the 2008 CX-7 is simply rife with potential problems. Some, unfortunately, were serious enough to make the car inoperable.

So, if you find a snazzy-looking 2008 Mazda CX-7 on a used car lot near you, make sure to take the following factors into account before purchasing, as they’ll play a major role in your car’s life expectancy:

Routine maintenance: Following a

maintenance schedule

can drastically improve the odds that your Mazda goes the distance. Keeping up with oil changes, filter changes, and getting your battery and brakes looked at can help keep your Mazda on the road for longer.

Mileage: When it comes to buying a used car, naturally, the fewer miles it already has on it, the better the chances that it will last you longer.

Accident history: This one is a no-brainer when it comes to buying used: ask for an accident history report! Services, like

Carfax

, make it easy for you to request it at the dealership.

How to extend a 2008 Mazda CX-7’s life expectancy

We know we’re beating a dead horse here, but when it comes to extending your vehicle’s life expectancy, maintenance is the magic word. In your Mazda’s owner’s manual, you’ll find a handy list of its recommended maintenance schedule—and it’s there for good reason!

Prevention is key, and regularly having your car checked out (whether you do it yourself or take your car to a mechanic) is the best way to nip problems in the bud.

On a similar note, taking care to use original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts for any necessary repairs will also help your Mazda shipshape. These are parts made by Mazda, for Mazda vehicles, and are the best way to ensure that whatever part you need will work seamlessly in your car.

Common 2008 Mazda CX-7 problems to watch out for

Let’s start with the bitterest pill: according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, the 2008 Mazda CX-7 is the Japanese automaker’s second most complained about vehicle. The first? Its predecessor, the 2007 CX-7.

As the first in a new iteration of the CX-7, the 2007 CX-7 came with tons of problems, many of which reared their heads again in the 2008 model. Here’s what to watch out for:

Engine timing chain failure: This is a more serious problem that will cause your Mazda to fail to start or turn off while you’re driving.

Turbocharger failure: When the turbocharger fails, your car’s oil seals will also fail.

AC compressor failure: You’ll know that your air conditioning compressor is broken when it blows less air or hot air through your vents.

Variable valve timing failure: Rough idling, a check engine light, and struggling to get up hills are all indicative of variable valve timing failure.

If this list has you in a panic, there’s still a silver lining: most of these problems happen early on in the vehicle’s history. We’re talking sometimes before even the 1,000 mile-mark.

So, if you find a 2008 Mazda CX-7 on a used lot, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a total dud. If it’s over the 1,000-mile hump and still hasn’t wracked up 100,000 miles, you should be in the clear.

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FAQs

What percentage of cars make it to 300,000 miles?

Hardly any! Only .03% of cars on the road will wrack up 300,000 miles.

What is the highest mileage on a Mazda?

The record for the most mileage on a Mazda is 613,521 miles on a 1993 Mazda MX-5. The MX-5 is widely considered one of the Japanese automaker’s most reliable models, along with the Mazda 6 and the MX-5 Miata.

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