Spiders Are Setting Mazda6 Engines on Fire. Sort Of.

Chrysler might have bugs in their software, but that's better than Mazda's much creepier problem with real bugs in their engines. Well, technically arachnids.

Spiders are to blame for a 2014 recall of 42,000 Mazda6 sedans. Yellow sac spiders have been known to make themselves at home in the line running to the purge valve in the evaporative emissions system. Once there, the spiders' webs prevent the proper venting of emissions, increasing internal pressure and leading to cracks and fuel leaks.

Once fuel starts to leak the risk of fire goes up.

To summarize, spiders are setting your Mazda on fire. OK, that's a stretch but you get my point.

The Anti-Spider Recalls ∞

This is also not the first time Mazda has dealt with this issue. Back in 2011 they tried adding vent covers to stop the infestations in the 2009-2010 Mazda6, but the spiders just found another way around.

This time it appears Mazda is conceding to the little eight-legged creeps. This recall will only adjust the vehicle's software so pressure won't build up in the gas tank after the spiders inevitably take over. Just remember that the next time you go to change the oil.

Why Do Spiders Favor Mazda? ∞

If you're wondering why spiders seem to be only be targeting Mazdas, you might take comfort in the fact that Toyota had a similar infestation recall back in 2013. So, yay?

It's possible the diameter of the vent lines used in most other cars are either too big for the spiders to get in the way or too small for them to make a home. The Mazda6 vent lines appear to be in that Goldilocks-level of just right for this to happen. Maybe in the future they'll change the diameter of the lines.