Mazda6 Fuel Tank Recall May Lead to Class Action Lawsuits

It has not been a great few months for automakers, and of all things, one arachnid and its attraction to hydrocarbons could be the impetus behind upcoming Mazda6 fuel tank recall class action lawsuit investigations.

Mazda previously had to deal with the appetites of the yellow sac spider in 2011, when the company issued a recall for about 52,000 of the midsize sedan models. The spiders are attracted to gasoline and have been able to find their way into the fuel hose somehow or another, according to an official at the automaker. If they set up there, the webs can lead to issues with the fuel-air mixture and potentially cause fires.

While no accidents have been reported, nine car owners reported Mazda6 fuel tank cracking, which prompted the recall of 42,000 vehicles powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine from model year 2010 to 2012. There are reportedly no issues regarding the V6 version and new models reportedly have protections including a spring-loaded panel and software that will adjust certain factors that will reportedly reduce the likelihood of Mazda6 fuel tank cracking.

The 2009-2012 model years that were subjected to the recalls all represent a single generation, and that might be a key reason that consumer rights class action lawsuit lawyers could begin investigating claims regarding the award-winning midsize sedan. If an issue is known to affect a given engine and car, then outside of updates, it would likely extend to similar vehicles.

That is also the case for the much more publicized GM ignition switch recall class action lawsuit investigations. There, an alleged problem with the ignition switch can lead to the car turning off in the middle of driving. General Motors has written that it can occur when certain vehicles are jostled on rough roads, but more commonly when excess weight is put on the ignition key. Consumer rights class action lawsuit lawyers argue that a bump in a street should not lead to a vehicle potentially losing power due to an ignition switch.

Whether or not the Mazda6 fuel tank recall class action lawsuit investigations will turn into complaints filed in federal court will likely depend on a number of factors. The first is the number of people affected, which in this case is more than 40,000. The other is whether or not there is interest on behalf of putative class members, especially if the Mazda6 fuel tank cracking issue leads to the fire that a company spokesperson admits is possible due to various conditions.

As always, vehicle owners of every make and model should consistently check for recall notices as well as any statements made by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding complaints.