A safety-related defect may exist in the Mazda5 as a result of the exhaust system becoming overheated. Although only three instances have been reported, and there have been no injuries as a result of the fires, Mazda will be initiating an aggressive campaign to repair all of the approximately 2,700 affected vehicles either at dealers or in customers’ possession. Customers will receive a formal recall notification at a later date.

Mazda has determined that the cause of these fires is excessive exhaust heat caused by inadvertent operation of the vehicle in the manual mode of the automatic transmission at highway speeds in second gear. It is possible that extended high-RPM operation may cause this exhaust overheat, and a subsequent fire.

Mazda will resolve this situation with the installation of a warning label instructing customers on the proper operation of the vehicle in the “M” mode of the automatic transmission. In addition, a heat-shield will be added to all vehicles as well as a recalibration of the automatic transmission electronic control unit.

Mazda expects all vehicles to be repaired and returned to their owners as soon as possible. New vehicle deliveries will resume as soon as vehicles in inventory are repaired. In the interim, Mazda will provide all customers with replacement transportation at no cost.