Mazda recalling Mazda6 due to spiders causing fuel tank failure

It seems that the evaporative canister vent line in the 2009-2010 Mazda6 sedan is an ideal home for a certain breed of spider. While Mazda does not mention what type of spider or if there are certain geographic locations most likely to deal with this problem, these spiders can crawl into the system and their web is thick enough to cause an obstruction in the canister vent line.

Over time as the canister is purged during regular operation of the Mazda6, the blockage in the vent line can cause repeated, extreme vacuum pressure to the fuel tank and that can cause the fuel tank to crack. The cracked tank can leak, obviously increasing the likelihood of a fire and for those who park their Mazda6 in a garage, the fumes from the leaking gas tank can create problems of their own.

This Mazda6 recall affects around 52,000 Mazda6 sedans and while there is no mention of any fires, accidents of injuries stemming from the spider-infested Mazda6 sedans, the danger of the most extreme cases is clear so Mazda will begin sending out letters to owners later this month. The owners of the possibly-infested 2009-2010 Mazda6 sedans will be asked to head to their local dealership where the canister and the vent line will be inspected and cleaned out if necessary. Also, a spring-loaded safety valve will be installed to prevent the spiders from getting into the vent line after the system has been cleaned out.

This is probably the most obscure reason that I have ever heard for a safety recall but if spiders are making Mazda6 sedans catch fire, this recall is an interesting, yet wise decision.

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