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.