Fuel tank risk triggers recall for 4100 cars

By JULIET ROWAN

More than 4000 late-model Mazdas have been recalled, only weeks after two other big recalls.

Mazda New Zealand has recalled 4171 Mazda6 vehicles made between June 2002 and February 14 this year because of possible problems with fuel tanks and indicators.

The recall affects 4033 Mazda6 and 138 Mazda Atenza cars.

The Atenza is the Japanese import version of the Mazda6.

Thousands of Ford and Mitsubishi vehicles were recalled less than a month ago.

The Mazda6 recall has been made because the car's plastic fuel tank has been found to be vulnerable to high temperatures which could cause it to expand, crack and leak fuel.

And a poor contact can intermittently stop indicators working.

Mazda New Zealand managing director Peter Aitken said only three cases of the fuel tank problem had been detected out of more than 250,000 vehicles.

He said the risk of damage to the fuel tank was minimal and that the recall was a precautionary measure.

"Compiling the list of owners of the imported Mazda Atenza was a time-consuming process but we felt including these vehicles in the recall was the responsible approach to take."

In none of the three cases did the problem cause the fuel tank to explode.

Mr Aitken said anyone who had questions or concerns should contact a Mazda dealer.

Mazda New Zealand was issuing the recall at the instruction of the parent company in Japan and was notifying owners of affected vehicles.

They are being asked to take their cars to a Mazda dealer, where repairs will be done without charge.

A heatproof pad will be fitted to the tank, a job taking about 45 minutes, and the problem with the indicators will be fixed.

Car manufacturers have been criticised for not making every effort to ensure consumers are aware of vehicle recalls.

Automobile Association spokesman George Fairbairn said he would like to see details of the Mazda recall published in full-page newspaper advertisements so car owners knew of the potential problems.

In the past two years, vehicle recalls have been issued by major car companies, including Mitsubishi, Saab, Nissan, Holden, Toyota, Hyundai, Volkswagen and Mercedes.

On June 17, Ford recalled more than 13,000 Falcons because of a potential fault in the steering mechanism.

Days earlier, the Land Transport Safety Authority ordered a recall of 843 imported used Mitsubishi Fuso buses and trucks because of a potentially defective wheel hub.

That was followed by the recall of 343 Mitsubishi Galant and Legnum VR4 vehicles because of concerns about the brakes.

Consumers Institute chief executive David Russell said Mazda was to be congratulated for its promise to pay for repairs to the vehicles recalled.

"Finally car companies in New Zealand are doing the right thing."

Vehicle recalls

Last month

JUNE 17

Ford New Zealand issued one of the largest vehicle recalls in the country's history.

13,000 Falcons, the motor giant's biggest seller in New Zealand, were affected, including 300 police cars and 1000 taxis.

The company made the voluntary recall after reports of a potential problem in the steering mechanism. Ford said a steering rack mounting stud could loosen if over-tightened during servicing.

JUNE 15

More than 300 Mitsubishi cars were ordered off New Zealand roads after a driver crashed through a red light at an Auckland intersection with failed brakes.

The Land Transport Safety Authority contacted the registered owners of 353 high-performance used-import Galant or Legnum VR4 cars, ordering them off the road immediately.

JUNE 11

843 used-import Mitsubishi Fuso vehicles, 16 trucks and a bus were ordered off the road after failing inspections of their front-wheel hubs.

* Mazda6 and Mazda Atenza owners with questions can call 0800-800-626