The new Mazda3 is unsafe to drive, unsafe to sell and possibly even unsafe to look at.
OK, well … that last one is a stretch, but Mazda is so concerned about a fire risk that they are telling owners to park their cars and dealers to stop selling them immediately. Yikes – so what’s the deal?
The cars have a defect in the gas shut-off valve that can allow fuel to enter a charcoal emissions canister. Once too much fuel enters that canister, it can leak out. Anytime there’s a fuel leak near a heat source the chances of your car turning into a Mazdakabob is greatly increased.
- The recalled cars include any 2015-16 Mazda3 built between May 21, 2015 and August 24, 2015. That’s roughly 19,000 cars.
- The recall is expected to begin sometime in October 2015. Owners are being asked to call Mazda to arrange a tow to the dealership and to schedule a rental vehicle.
- Dealers will inspect the car’s fuel shut-off valve and replace it if needed.
Once again, owners are being told not to drive their cars and to instead call Mazda to arrange a tow and a rental car if needed.