Mazda3 recall in Japan and China

Update : Mazda confirms that only cars made between January 2006 and March 2009 are covered by the recall. Essentially the first generation Mazda3. The second generation 3 picture above is not affected. More updates here.

Mazda has announced that there will be a recall for the Mazda3 (Axela in Japan) model in Japan and China. North American market models are not affected are they are slightly different from its Asian cousins. Possibly due to Federal regulation compliance. The 3 in North American market comes with a 2.5-litre engine option as well. Even it's bigger brother, the 6, is actually a different car though it looks similar to its Asian / European counterparts. The Mazda6 in USA is slightly bigger in all dimensions compared to the 6 sold in the rest of the world.

The recall is to fix an oil hose. There is nothing to be alarmed as unlike the recent issues with Toyota-Lexus (erm...too many to name) or even Honda (Accord's airbag and Jazz power window switch) the problem does not pose any immediate threat to safety and is a precautionary move from Mazda. Reuters quoted Mazda on saying "driving on rough roads for an extended time could cause the oil hose to rub against the radiator's protective panel, causing oil to leak with wear. In the worst case, the car would be unable to start." No accidents or even complaints from customers have been recorded in Japan thus far. Though we are not sure if there have been any reports to China's consumer safety body ASQIQ.

No press release on this can be found on Mazda's official global website but Reuters puts the units affected by the recall as 89,822 cars in Japan and China. No indication on whether is this limited to the current generation 3 or the previous generation 3. Reuters also added that a further 191,503 units sold elsewhere could be subject to repairs. Presumably, this includes those sold in ASEAN and Asia-Ocenia region. Outside of China, Singapore and Australia are two of the main markets for Mazda in the Asia-Ocenia region.

So far there is no word yet from Mazda South East Asia (MSEA), the company's regional head office based in Bangkok, regarding this matter. There are only three sources of Mazda3 in the world - Mazda's own plant in Japan at Hofu, Yamaguchi. The Taiwanese plant at Chung Li, run by Ford Lio Ho Motor and China's Chongqing plant, a local JV with Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co. Ltd. Following Mazda's separation from Ford, the partnership in Chongqing plant will be dissolved by 2012. Not sure about the Taiwanese plant but a similar result is expected.