Mazda and Honda issue new recalls
DETROIT - Monday has been a busy day for major automotive defect news. First, U.S. auto safety investigators have determined that electronic gear shifters in some newer Fiat Chrysler (FCUA) SUVs and cars are so confusing that drivers have exited the vehicles while they are in gear. Then Mazda and Honda (HMC) announced recalls totaling more than a quarter-million vehicles.
Mazda is recalling some SUVs because the fuel filler pipe can rupture in a rear crash and cause a gas leak and possible fire. The recall covers nearly 237,000 CX-5 SUVs from the 2014 and 2015 model years.
The problem was discovered in crash testing when the pipe ruptured and spilled fuel that exceeded limits set by crash test standards. Mazda says it has no reports of any fires or injuries.
Dealers will remove a bolt on the left side of the pipe, redirecting the rear crash impact to prevent pipe ruptures, according to documents filed by Canadian safety regulators.
Honda announced that it's recalling about 45,000 newly redesigned Civic compact cars in the U.S. and Canada because the engines can fail and stall while being driven.
The recall affects 2016 Civics equipped with 2-liter four-cylinder engines.
Documents filed by Canadian safety regulators say a circular clip around the pistons may be missing or was improperly installed at the factory. That can cause a pin on the piston to rub against the engine block and possibly cause engine failure or a fire.
It was unclear if any crashes, fires or injuries had happened.
Dealers will inspect the piston clips and fix them if necessary. In the U.S., Honda dealers can't sell the affected cars until they are repaired.
The recall covers about 34,000 Civics in the U.S. and roughly 11,000 in Canada.