When you’re putting groceries in the back of your car, there’s a silent agreement between you and the vehicle that it won’t attack you by allowing the hatch to fall and hit you on the head. Apparently, nearly 800,000 Mazdas didn’t get that message.
Mazda has announced a recall, which has yet to be posted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration database, covering 759,000 model year 2010 to 2013 Mazda 3, model year 2012 to 2015 Mazda 5, and model year 2013 to 2016 CX-5 and 2016 CX-3 SUVs sold in the U.S. and Canada.
The Associated Press reports that the recall, which includes 2.2 million vehicles worldwide, was initiated after Mazda determined a coating used on the hatch arms during the manufacturing process was insufficient.
Over time, water containing road salt can corrode the supports, causing them to break. If this occurs, the hatches can fall, injuring those nearby or placing things in the trunk area.
The company is unaware of any injuries or accidents related to the issue.
Mazda will notify affected owners starting this month and into October, and dealers will replace both lift supports.
In other recall news from Mazda, the carmaker announced earlier this week it would call back approximately 41,000 model year 2009 to 2010 Mazda6 vehicles over airbag issues.
The carmaker says that insufficient protective coating on the airbag control unit power supply could allow moisture to enter th unit and cause corrosion. Over time, the unit can malfunction and turn on the airbag warning light.
Continued driving in this condition could potentially cause the air bags to not deploy in a crash, increasing the risk of injury, the company said.
Mazda, which is unaware of any crashes or injuries related to the issue, will notify customers of the recall, and dealers will make necessary repairs.
Mazda recalls 2.2M vehicles worldwide; rear hatches can fall [The Associated Press]
by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist