Auto defects can expose consumers to a variety of different harms. Some auto faults pose a fire risk. Auto fires can result in consumers suffering incredibly painful burn injuries.
Recently, an auto recall was issued regarding a rather unusual fire risk. What is unusual about the risk is what is causing it: spiders being able to get into one of the parts of a vehicle.
The recall is being conducted by Mazda and it regards model year 2010-12 Mazda6s with 2.5 liter, four-cylinder engines. In total, around 42,000 vehicles are covered under the recall.
The problem with the vehicles is that spiders can get into a vent hose in the vehicles and make webs in this hose. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fuel tank cracks can result when webs are made in the hose. Tank cracks can cause fuel leaks, which present a fire hazard.
Under the recall, an inspection and cleaning will be performed of the vent hoses of the vehicles, and the engine control unit of the vehicles will be reprogrammed to address the potential problems the spiders could pose.
Thus far, no injuries or accidents have been reported regarding the spider problem.
Oddly enough, this is not Mazda’s first spider-related auto recall. It previously recalled 65,000 vehicles in relation to spider issues.
As this matter illustrates, auto faults can take all different sorts of shapes and forms. If a person has been subjected to an auto fire or some other harmful auto event due to a fault with their vehicle, they should consider talking with an attorney about whether bringing a product liability lawsuit is an option for them. In product liability lawsuits, victims of auto defects can seek compensation for the impacts the defects had on them.
Source: The Los Angeles Times, “42,000 more Mazda cars recalled because of spider problem,” David Undercoffler, April 7, 2014
