Spider problem forces a creepy

Nov 25, 2023

It may not be the most common vehicle recall ever posted, but it could very well be the creepiest.

Yellow sac spiders — yes, spiders — have found a new place to weave their webs: inside the fuel vents of some cars.

The tiny spiders, apparently attracted to the smell of gasoline vapors, are weaving webs in the vents and potentially blocking those vapors from venting through a hose in some models of Mazdas and Suzukis that are now being recalled.

"We had a situation where a customer came in for a check engine light," says Dan Walczak, general manager of Hettig's Service in Williamsville, New York. "It turned out the valve vent was clogged with a spider web, and we unclogged the valve, so replacing the part was not necessary."

Jim Coughlin, manager of Summerfield Tire and Service in Charlotte, North Carolina, says his shop has yet to see spiders, but added intrusions from animals and insects are not uncommon.

"We have seen mice eat through electrical wiring causing very large repair bills, to animals using areas under the hood to store food," he says.

The issue doesn't appear to affect only Mazda and Suzuki vehicles. Ford, Honda and Hyundai have all reported similar issues in recent years, though none led to recalls.

Suzuki Motor of America is the most recent auto manufacturer to face a spider problem, issuing a recall in August. Suzuki, which no longer manufactures cars in the U.S., is recalling about 19,000 Kizashi midsize sedans from model years 2010 to 2013.

Mazda, meanwhile, notified 42,000 owners of 2010 to 2012 Mazda6's in April that spiders could possibly block fuel vents. In 2011, Mazda recalled 65,000 Mazda6's model year makes 2009 to 2011 for a similar issue.

The Mazda recalls are for vehicles equipped with a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine.

The recalled vehicles have yet to involve any injuries or crashes, according to Mazda and Suzuki.

In Suzukis, spiders can block a vent in the evaporative emissions system, which can cause negative pressure in the fuel tank. In the worst-case scenario, this could lead to cracks in the fuel tank and possible leaks and an increased risk of fire, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

According to Mazda, spiders’ webs can restrict the fuel canister vent lines. This, in effect, can build up pressure when the emission control system works to eliminate vapors, which can also lead to cracks or fires.

"For safety recalls, it is very important that consumers take care of their recall as soon as possible," Coughlin says. "In some cases, the consumers may have had their vehicles repaired at either the dealership or an independent garage prior to the release of the recall and may have paid for these repairs. The dealers will reimburse the consumer for that repair."

Suzuki Kizashi owners of the affected model years are encouraged to call the Suzuki customer service line at 800-934-0934. They can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 or go to www.safercar.gov.

For Suzuki repairs, the dealer should add a filter to the ventilation line, which will keep the spiders out.

For the Mazda recall, an authorized dealer technician should reprogram the powertrain control module, and inspect and clean the canister vent line of affected vehicles. If they find spiderwebs, they should replace the fuel tank and the check valve on the canister vent line. Affected Mazda6 owners can call Mazda 800-222-5500 for more information.

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