NHTSA Complaint #10347783 — 2007 MAZDA CX-7

THE SUV BEGAN TO SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN STOPPED TO LOOK AT IT THE BELT HAD BEGAN TO MELT DUE TO THE AC COMPRESSOR LOCKING UP. WHEN WENT TO DEALER TO PURCHASE NEW COMPRESSOR PARTS REP STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ONLINE FOUND SEVERAL REPORTS OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS. CHANGED A/C COMPRESSOR, DRYER RECEIVER, AND BELT. YES THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS COST $420 AND IT WAS $90 TO RECHARGE THE SYSTEM (MAZDA QUOTED $450 FOR LABOR, HUSBAND IS MECHANIC SO HE DONE THE WORK). HAD THE BELT BROKE THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED ME TO BE STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH MY TODDLER IN 100 DEGREE WEATHER. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY ABOUT 50,000 ON IT AND A/C COMPRESSORS SHOULD LAST WAY LONGER THAN THAT. WHEN CALLED MAZDA THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE THE CAR 45 MILES TO THE DEALER PAY FOR AN INSPECTION AND THE DEALER WOULD SEND THEM A REPORT. I WAS NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS FAR SO WE BOUGHT THE PARTS FROM MAZDA AND DONE THE WORK. *TR