Concerns Over Spiders in Fuel System Prompts Mazda6 Recall

We’ve heard of recalls because of seatbelts, accelerator pedals on just about every other mechanical component out there, but this is definitely something different: Japanese carmaker Mazda has announced it is recalling about 65,000 cars in North and Central America because of concerns over spiders in the fuel system.

An official company spokesman has stated that dealers had found over 20 cases where webs of yellow sac spiders were found in a vent line. It is believed that this could increase pressure in the fuel tank, resulting in possible cracks or even fires. Mazda told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that spiders "may weave a web in the evaporative canister vent line."

This very unusual recall covers vehicles that were built at the Auto Alliance plant in Flat Rock between April 2008 and February 2010. In the US, a total of 50,000 2009-10 Mazda6 vehicles are affected, while another 15,000 are being called back in Canada and Mexico.

The company will include a "spring to prohibit spider intrusion" and the computer will be reprogrammed to prevent a build-up of pressure in the emission control system... all this for an itzy bitzy spider.

Mazda spokesman Jeremy Barnes said it was unclear why the yellow sac spider liked to build nests in the Mazda6. "Perhaps yellow sac spiders like to go zoom-zoom?" he joked, referring to Mazda's advertising slogan.

No accidents or fires have yet been reported because of the spider webs, but Mazda will begin notifying owners of the models involved regarding the recall starting March 14th.