Mazda has once again issued a recall for their Mazda 6 sedans in the U.S. due to spider related problems. The issue in question is caused by a gasoline loving spider with a preference for making webs within the affected vehicles.
This is the second time in the past three years that Mazda has issued a recall for their Mazda 6 vehicles due to the yellow sac spider (genus Cheiracantium). This type of spider is often attracted to the smell of certain volatile compounds in gasoline. While most yellow sac spiders are relatively tiny ranging in size from 5 to 10 mm, the can weave webs that can cause restrictions in the fuel flow in affected vehicles. The webs can cause a blockage in the evaporative canister vent lines, which was the primary reason for both recalls.
"On certain Mazda6 vehicles, a certain type of spider may weave a web in the evaporative canister vent line, potentially causing a restriction in the line," said Mazda Group manager of Environmental, Safety & Powertrain Engineering David Robertson in a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "If this occurs, the fuel tank pressure may become excessively negative when the emission control system works to purge the vapors from the canister."
The first recall happened three years ago and it involved Mazda 6 sedans manufactured between 2009 and 2010. A total of 65,000 vehicles were recalled to due blockages in their vent lines.
"As the canister is purged repeatedly during normal operation, the stress on the fuel tank may eventually result in a crack, potentially leading to fuel leakage and an increased risk of fire. Mazda is not aware of any fires related to this condition," said Robertson.
This time around, the car manufacturer is recalling 42,000 Mazda 6 sedans. The affected vehicles all come with 2.5 liter engines and were manufactured between 2010 and 2012. To fix the Mazda 6's "bug problem," the company will issue a software update that will prevent pressure from building up to dangerous levels inside the fuel tanks.
"Mazda determined that the condition constituted a safety related defect, requiring a recall campaign to the vehicles which has a spring in the canister vent line to prevent spider intrusion and no PCM with modified software to avoid excessive negative of the fuel tank," Robertson added.
The company is hoping that the latest recall will be the last one and that the software update will prevent future spider related problems in the affected vehicles.
"Owners of record will be notified of this issue and instructed to take their vehicles to a Mazda dealer to be inspected and repaired, said Robertson. "Upon inspection/repair, the canister vent line will be cleaned and when there is a web in the canister vent line, the fuel tank and the check valve on the canister vent line will be replaced with new one."
