Product Recall

1. Product Recall • What: Mazda 6 Cracking of Gas Tank due to Spider Webs • Recall Date:March 14, 2014 [1] • Why: On certain Mazda6 vehicles, a certain type of spider may weaver a web in the evaporative canister vent line, potential causing a restriction in the line. If this occurs, 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 fuel leakage and an increased risk of fire. [1] • Incidents: A similar recall was issued in 2011 regarding the same spider related cause, for 65,000 vehicles. A solution was implemented in the form of the installation of a spring inside the canister to prevent spiders from crawling inside [2]. However, a report was received in November 2011, for the same issue on a vehicle with the spring installed. A second report was received regarding the same cause in September 2013 [1]. • Number of Units Sold:42,000 [1]. • When Sold:2010 – 2012 Model Year equipped with 2.5L engine built from September 14, 2009 through May 2, 2011 [1]

2. Management Issues • Recognition of Problem: The first report after the 2011 recall could not result in the returning of concerned parts. The second report’s investigation resulted in the discovery of spider web in the canister vent line. Further investigation resulted in the conclusion that vehicles with spring installed in the canister vent line but does not have Power Control Module software upgraded have the high risk of fuel tank cracking due to spider web clogging the vent line. • Speed of Response:The conclusion was reached in February 2014, a recall was initiated in March 2014. The dealers will be notified of this voluntary recall in the late of March 2014. The mailing of owner notification letters by first class mail will begin in early April 2014. • Responsibility:No incidents of fire were reported due to this spider induced fuel tank crack [3].

3. Impact of Recall • Legal Consequences:There was no determination by NHTSA on any non-compliance violation [1]. • Reputation:This second of two spider related recall had little impact on Mazda’s overall sales. However, this has been ranked as one of the top most bizarre product recalls [4]. • Sales: Mazda6 sales did not seem to have been impacted by this recall. Mazda’s published sales figures actually show increase in sales over months in 2013 [5].

4. References [1] Robertson, David. (2014). Submission of Part 573 report for 2010-2012 MY Mazda6 vehicles. Memo to Nancy Lewis, Associate Administrator for Enforcement, at National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, March 11, 2014. [2] Gander, Kashmira. (2014). Petro-loving spiders cause recall of Mazda6 in US. Retrieved from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/gasolineloving-spiders-cause-recall-of-mazda6-sedans-in-north-america-9240891.html. [3] Jones, Stacy. (2014). Spider causes Mazda6 sedan recalls for second time in three years. Retrieved from http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2014/04/spider_causes_mazda6_sedan_recalls_for_second_time_in_three_years.html. [4] Devlin, Mike. (2014). 10 Bizarre Product Recalls. Retrieved from http://listverse.com/2014/06/01/10-bizarre-product-recalls/. [5] Mazda Reports Best April Sales Since 2008. (2014). Mazda North America Operation. Retrieved from http://www.mazdausamedia.com/2014-05-01-MAZDA-REPORTS-BEST-APRIL-SALES-SINCE-2008