MazdaCX-72008Overview/mazda/cx-7/2008/base/

2008 Mazda CX-7

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 CX-7.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2008 Mazda CX-7 is an SUV equipped with an Automatic (S6) transmission and EPA fuel economy ratings of 17/23/19 mpg. Within the model’s 2007–2013 lifespan, this year accumulated 191 owner complaints and five recalls, positioning it between the 528 grievances of the debut 2007 and the single complaint of the 2013 finale, with engine and engine cooling systems dominating the reported issues. This places the 2008 model between the launch-year peak and the final-year low in the reliability spectrum—markedly improved from the debut but still carrying the elevated complaint volume characteristic of the CX-7’s early production years.

Model year201220112010200920082007

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque65-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/23/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 360 CCA battery, OE oil filter LF0114312. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 360 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-60R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterLF0114312 alt LF0214342
Engine air filterAJ5713Z40A9U
Fuel filterL33L13ZE0 alt LFB613ZE1
Spark plug000018L3Y3
Battery000080124FWB alt F22118520E
Front wiper bladesTD1167330 alt GS1E67330
Serpentine beltL3BR15909 alt L3B615909
ThermostatLF0315165A alt L33615170
Cabin air filterEG2161P11

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length184.3 in
Overall width73.6 in
Overall height65 in
Wheelbase108.3 in
Curb weight3710 lb
Track (front / rear)63.4 / 63.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 23 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the CX-7 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.70 sec — 2008 Grand Touring
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2008Grand Touring 2.3L Turbo I-47.70 sec15.80 sec244 hpAWD
2007Sport 2.3L Turbo I-47.50 sec15.50 sec244 hpAWD
2007Sport 2.3L Turbo I-47.70 sec15.80 sec244 hpFWD
2007Grand Touring 2.3L Turbo I-47.80 sec15.90 sec244 hpAWD
2007Sport 2.3L Turbo I-47.90 sec16.10 sec244 hpAWD
2007Touring 2.3L Turbo I-47.90 sec16.00 sec244 hpAWD
2007Grand Touring 2.3L Turbo I-48.00 sec16.00 sec244 hpAWD
2009Grand Touring 2.3L Turbo I-47.80 sec16.00 sec244 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 65-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0-30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.4
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2 Pints
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-90 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity6
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) BearingsSOHC: 30-36 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsSOHC: 14-22 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts13.0-16.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32.0-47.0 ft-lbs
Main BearingsSOHC: 75-85 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-30.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs12-16 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-87 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub174-202 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub174-202 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 Turbo rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition TimingTurbo: 10, Non-Turbo: 8 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.10 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.06 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance360 cca

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance11.4
Injector Primary Resistance1.0-1.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Oil Pressure57-94 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.0087-0.0110 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0107-0.0129 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket61-68 ft-lbs / 16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle79-93 ft-lbs / 58-75 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.06 in / 0.66 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.03 in / 0.63 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
171-77 ft. lbs., step 2: 87-9371–77 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 75,000 mi; coolant at 60,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 60,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBody Lock Cylinders (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect)
Every 25,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 37,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 45,000 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miEmission Control System (inspect)
Every 75,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2008 Mazda CX-7 sits in the early portion of the first generation, following a high-complaint inaugural 2007 model year (528 complaints) and preceding a significant drop in 2009 (64 complaints). Across the generation's federal record, complaints generally trend downward from 2007 to 2013, with a notable mid-generation spike in 2010 and 2011 before tapering off at the end of the lifecycle. For 2008, complaints fell sharply to 191, yet the vehicle still carries 5 recalls and 241 technical service bulletins, indicating that Mazda was actively addressing widespread issues. The data does not specify root causes, but the top complaint areas for 2008 cluster around engine and engine cooling (31 complaints), engine (28), and air bags (22), alongside 9 fire complaints and 3 crash complaints. While the 2008 model represents a statistical improvement over the 2007 launch year, its elevated early-generation defect volume makes it a risky purchase unless a specific example has documented proof that all recalls and engine-related TSBs have been completed.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
241
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
191
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 9 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 191 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling31
Engine28
Air Bags22
Suspension,Air Bags20
Suspension14
Exterior Lighting9
Unknown Or Other5
Power Train5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V782000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 31/10/2019

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2012 CX-7, CX-9, and 2009-2012 Maza6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an…

17V429000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 29/06/2017

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Mazda6, and 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator with an…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 241 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SA-041-262026-06-18Electrical SystemThis SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in…
SA-029-262026-04-21Power TrainThis Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are…
SA-061-252025-12-17Electrical SystemIf you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start…
07-004-25a2025-12-10Unknown Or OtherA musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system…
SA-039/252025-08-21StructureSome vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.)…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific CX-7. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2008 CX-7 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the CX-7 get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined mpg.