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Dublin: 11 °C Friday 8 November, 2024
The Yellow sac spider is attracted by the smell of petrol Joel Mills via Wikimedia Commons

Total Recall: spiders cause Mazda major headache

Over 50,000 vehicles at risk after car manufacturer says webs in the fuel tank could lead to fire.

JAPANESE CAR GIANT Mazda is recalling over 50,000 cars in North America over concerns about spiders in the fuel system, according to Reuters.

The yellow sac spiders are attracted by the smell of gasoline and are small enough to crawl inside a vent line and spin webs, increasing pressure in the fuel tank and potentially causing fire.

The only model affected is the Mazda6, due to two pipes coming out of its gas tank which allow the spiders access. The recall will see dealers installing a spring that prevents the spiders from entering the vent line.

When asked about the problem, Mazda spokesperson Jeremy Barnes joked, “Perhaps yellow sac spiders like to go zoom-zoom?”, referring to to the company’s well-known advertising slogan.

Mazda said it was not aware of any fires or accidents caused by the webs and Mazda Ireland confirmed to TheJournal.ie that the recall was confined to North America and did not apply to Europe.

Author
Andrew Wade
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