A little yellow spider is responsible for the recall of 52,000 year-model 2009-2010 MAZDA6 sedans. According to the car maker, the yellow sac spider “may weave a web in the evaporative canister vent line and this may cause a restriction of the line.” A restriction in the evaporative canister vent line could prevent air from getting into the gas tank, resulting in a crack in the gas tank that could cause a fire.
The “yellow sac spider” (Cheiracanthium Inclusum) probably accounts for more spider bites than any the spider, and are indigenous to much of the United States. According to Wikipedia, “The bite of these spiders is believed to be venomous to humans but rarely produces more than local symptoms.”
But enough about the spider – what about your car! There have already been at least 20 reported cases of this spider infesting Mazda 6 vehicles, and all have been 4-cylinders so far. Although no fires have been reported at this time, this remains a real possibility should the spiderweb constrict airflow to the gas tank, as that could cause negative air pressure inside the tank: Gasoline goes out, but air does not come in to replace it. Imagine sucking the air out of a milk carton and how that would cause it to collapse.
2009 and 2010 MAZDA6 owners should contact their nearest dealership to arrange for an inspection. Dealers will install a new spring that will keep spiders from spinning their webs in the vent line.