MAZDA STATEMENT ON 2010-2012 MAZDA6 FUEL TANK VENT LINE RECALL

Company press release.

Apr 10, 2014 -- Mazda will be notifying approximately 42,000 U.S. owners of 2010-2012 Mazda6 vehicles, equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, of an upcoming safety recall. Dealers will inspect the fuel system of affected vehicles for damage due to spider webs blocking the fuel canister vent line.

Similar to a related recall in 2011 when a certain type of spider (the Yellow Sac spider) was found to weave a web in the evaporative canister vent line, the webs may cause a restriction in the fuel tank system. Should this occur, the fuel tank pressure may become excessively negative when the emission control system works to purge the vapors from the canister. As the canister is purged repeatedly during normal operation, the stress on the fuel tank may eventually result in a crack, potentially leading to leakage and an increased risk of fire.

Affected vehicles of this current campaign were not part of the original Mazda6 safety recall because they received the countermeasure utilized on previously affected vehicles as a production running change. This countermeasure was adding a spring to the canister vent line in order to prevent a spider's intrusion. An additional countermeasure was later created, which was modifying the Power Control Module (PCM) software to minimize pressure received in the fuel tank. However, the emission control system of some later production vehicles is not adequately purging the vapors from the evaporative canister, requiring a PCM software update.

Dealers will inspect and clean the canister vent line of affected vehicles. Should cracks or spider intrusion be found, the fuel tank and the check valve on the canister vent line will be replaced. Also, the PCM will be reprogrammed with modified software to minimize negative pressure in the fuel tank.

There have been no injuries or accidents in conjunction with this issue.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through more than 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.