# Mazda recalls 2009 and 2010 Mazda6 because of spiders

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-recalls-2009-and-2010-mazda6-because-of-spiders/573409>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [March 3, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-recalls-2009-and-2010-mazda6-because-of-spiders/573409 "2011-03-03T21:37:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-recalls-2009-and-2010-mazda6-because-of-spiders/573409/1 "2011-03-03T21:37:10Z")

</div>

[There is a picture of the spider above the fold on the linked page](http://money.cnn.com/2011/03/03/autos/mazda6_spider_recall/):

> [@](#):
>
> Mazda is recalling about 52,000 Mazda6 sedans, because yellow sac spiders like to build their nests in part of the fuel system.
> 
> “A certain type of spider may weave a web in the evaporative canister vent line and this may cause a restriction of the line,” Mazda said in a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
> 
> The evaporative canister vent line runs from a charcoal-filled canister that cleans air coming out of the gas tank. Blockage of the line can prevent air from getting into the gas tank as the gasoline is used, resulting in negative air pressure inside the tank. That can lead to a crack in the gas tank and the possibility of a fire.

A Mazda spokesperson was quoted as saying “Spiders… spiders… then you perish in flames…” before collapsing in a heap on the floor.

No, seriously, nobody knows why the yellow sac spider likes to build webs in that car and no others we know of:

> [@](#):
>
> It’s unclear why this particular spider – the yellow sac spider – seems to prefer the model year 2009 and 2010 Mazda6, company spokesman Jeremy Barnes said. All modern cars have the same type of equipment.
> 
> “Maybe they just like cars that go ‘Zoom-Zoom’,” he said. “We honestly don’t know.”

They hate that ad and want the people who support it to die.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2011, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-recalls-2009-and-2010-mazda6-because-of-spiders/573409/2 "2011-03-03T21:39:14Z")

</div>

Gee, you’d think they would’ve preferred Alfa Romeos.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2011, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-recalls-2009-and-2010-mazda6-because-of-spiders/573409/3 "2011-03-03T22:29:37Z")

</div>

> [@blondebear](#):
>
> Gee, you’d think they would’ve preferred Alfa Romeos.

I knew there was a joke in there somewhere. Anyway, it doesn’t seem like a very practical location, nor one that would lead to an improvement in their offspring’s chances in life.

Spider Spider burning bright  
In my car but out of sight  
Who can say why there you weave  
The little webs that you conceive  
Roddy

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2011, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-recalls-2009-and-2010-mazda6-because-of-spiders/573409/4 "2011-03-03T23:14:35Z")

</div>

I can’t figure this one one. Spiders having a midlife crisis? Awful publicity stunt by Julie Taymor? Sabotage by Volkswagen? Conspiracy between auto mechanics and arachnologists who’ll share the proceeds from the repairs?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2011, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-recalls-2009-and-2010-mazda6-because-of-spiders/573409/5 "2011-03-03T23:28:59Z")

</div>

Good grief. I have a 2009 Mazda 6- I’ve never heard of a yellow sac spider. Maybe all the redbacks here ate them.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2011, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-recalls-2009-and-2010-mazda6-because-of-spiders/573409/6 "2011-03-03T23:44:19Z")

</div>

How many accidents has this caused? I nearly ran off the road once when a spider dropped down from the rearview mirror. I wasn’t even driving a Mazda at the time. I can’t even imagine driving a car full of spiders _shudders_ okay, I have to leave this thread now.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2011, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-recalls-2009-and-2010-mazda6-because-of-spiders/573409/7 "2011-03-04T00:20:37Z")

</div>

This is like some horrible nightmare.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2011, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-recalls-2009-and-2010-mazda6-because-of-spiders/573409/8 "2011-03-04T00:35:30Z")

</div>

If I’m remembering correctly, my SO had issues with her Ford Focus that was caused by spider’s nest in the fuel vent. When I was googling the problem (gas pumps at different gas stations would automatically shut off well before the tank was full), that was one of the possibilities. Turn out, according to the Ford dealer, that’s exactly what the problem was. I had no idea this was an issue, but apparently it is.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2011, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-recalls-2009-and-2010-mazda6-because-of-spiders/573409/9 "2011-03-04T00:42:30Z")

</div>

Weirdest recall ever?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2011, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-recalls-2009-and-2010-mazda6-because-of-spiders/573409/10 "2011-03-04T00:47:27Z")

</div>

I guess they did the recall over the web.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![tumbleddown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tumbleddown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tumbleddown)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2011, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-recalls-2009-and-2010-mazda6-because-of-spiders/573409/11 "2011-03-04T03:32:36Z")

</div>

I drove a Mazda 6 for a month last year while my car was in for repairs, and I really liked it and contemplated doing a trade in. I’m really incredibly glad that I didn’t.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2011, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-recalls-2009-and-2010-mazda6-because-of-spiders/573409/12 "2011-03-04T03:40:29Z")

</div>

I’ve had it with these melon farming spiders in this mazda-fighting car!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2011, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-recalls-2009-and-2010-mazda6-because-of-spiders/573409/13 "2011-03-04T04:14:18Z")

</div>

This car IS a spider! [http://spyder.brp.com/](http://spyder.brp.com/)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2011, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-recalls-2009-and-2010-mazda6-because-of-spiders/573409/14 "2011-03-04T04:24:42Z")

</div>

This car is a [bug AND a spider](https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Lsu2c324ljaQMJ9QrzRbPQ?feat=directlink)!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2011, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-recalls-2009-and-2010-mazda6-because-of-spiders/573409/15 "2011-03-04T04:43:22Z")

</div>

Here’s an [example of one of the several forums](http://forums.focaljet.com/team-tech/563585-problems-gas-tank-when-filling-up.html) I found about my SO’s fuel tank problem.

> [@](#):
>
> I just found that Ford published TSB 07-08-01 on April this. They identify one possible source of the restriction as being in the large vent line between the canister and the fuel filler housing: “Some 2005-2007 Focus vehicles may exhibit a slow or difficult fuel fill, spit back or early pump shut off condition when refueling. This concern may be due to spider nests causing a restriction in the fresh air hose connected to the fuel filler housing and not allowing the fuel system to vent properly.”

So, this has happened with other vehicles in the past (and my SO’s Focus is a 2005.)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2011, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-recalls-2009-and-2010-mazda6-because-of-spiders/573409/16 "2011-03-04T05:31:23Z")

</div>

I have a Spyder with a mouse infestation. My weiner dog took care of them. Go figure.

He’s supposta be a Badger Killer! I guess “Any port in a storm” and all that…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2011, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-recalls-2009-and-2010-mazda6-because-of-spiders/573409/17 "2011-03-04T07:20:42Z")

</div>

> [@blondebear](#):
>
> This car is a [bug AND a spider](https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Lsu2c324ljaQMJ9QrzRbPQ?feat=directlink)!

The critters and I stopped to see that last fall, tho it didn’t have the sign on it [then](http://www.charwinccrs.com/blog/vwspider.jpg).

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2011, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-recalls-2009-and-2010-mazda6-because-of-spiders/573409/18 "2011-03-04T09:58:53Z")

</div>

Meh. It’s not the first time a product’s been recalled due to a bug in the system.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2011, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-recalls-2009-and-2010-mazda6-because-of-spiders/573409/19 "2011-03-04T16:42:18Z")

</div>

> [@blondebear](#):
>
> Gee, you’d think they would’ve preferred Alfa Romeos.

Or old Fiats for that matter.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2011, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-recalls-2009-and-2010-mazda6-because-of-spiders/573409/20 "2011-03-04T22:17:22Z")

</div>

I once had a spider infestation in a Cavalier. In all the calls to exterminators to try to make it go away, it never once occurred to me to report the infestation to Chevy. I can’t imagine they’d have cared or in any way blamed it on the car itself. In my case, the infestation was most likely due to my car being parked under a tree for a week while I went to Disney.

[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mazda-recalls-2009-and-2010-mazda6-because-of-spiders/573409.md?page=2)
