Possibly one of the most bizzarre vehicle recalls has been announced in America as Mazdas came under spider attack.
Yellow sac spider Image: Eran Finkle |
The Japanese automanufacturer was forced to recall some 65,000 Mazda6 models in North and Central America after spiders were discovered to have taken a liking to the car's fuel system.
Although only 20 cases had been found at the time of the announcement, with no know accidents or fires reported, the company recalled 2009-10 models in the US, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico after yellow sac spiders were found to have laid egg sacs in fuel vent lines.
Apparently the spiders find the fuel tank vent a particularly comfortable environment for constructing a web and laying eggs. However, this causes the vents to become blocked, increasing pressure in the fuel tank which can result in cracks and fuel leaks.
Mazda dealers have been instructed to clean out any webs, check for cracks and install a spring in the vent line to keep the spiders away.
Although the spiders, which are usually less than two centimetres in length, can bite, they are not apparently fatal to humans although skin damage can result around the area of the bite.