Mazda alert after global recalls on three models

Mazda Motor Corporation last Thursday recalled about 460,000 CX-5, Mazda3 and Mazda6 cars globally to fix multiple defects in diesel engines.

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Mazda Sales Thailand, a distribution unit arm of the Japanese car manufacturer, is closely investigating models sold in Thailand after its parent firm Mazda Motor Corporation last Thursday recalled about 460,000 CX-5, Mazda3 and Mazda6 cars globally to fix multiple defects in diesel engines, including one that could lead to engines stalling.

The cars subject to the recalls were produced between Feb 13, 2012 and Feb 2 this year. No injury or fire has been reported from the defect, Mazda said.

Of the total, 170,000 cars were sold in Japan and the remainder overseas.

Thee Permpongpanth, senior marketing director of Mazda Sales Thailand, said there are roughly 14,000 units of the sport utility vehicle CX-5 sold in Thailand alone.

The diesel-platform Mazda3 and the Mazda6 are not yet available in the Thai market.

"Mazda believes that the Malaysian-made CX-5, which was launched in Oct 2013, is subject to the recalls," said Mr Thee, "but the company has to investigate all possible defects before further notifying customers."

The CX-5 sold in Malaysia is excluded from recalls because it runs on petrol.

Mr Thee said there are five possible defects in Mazda CX-5's diesel engine, but the company has yet to discover any defects since the model has been sold.

He cited Mazda Sales' after-sales service report that the defect rate of CX-5 in Thailand is very low.

"Mazda will not ignore these recalls. Once we find any defects, we will inform our customers immediately," he said.

According to Mr Thee, the Hiroshima-based firm earlier this month recalled about 174,000 small cars in the US because seat angles changed abruptly, making the vehicles hard to drive.

The recall covers the Mazda2 subcompact from the 2011 model year and the 2010 and 2011 models of Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed 3 compacts.

He said only the Mazda2 sold before 2011 in Thailand might be affected by the recall. No effects are likely for the Mazda2 eco-car, which is available now.

"At this time, we are investigating into how many Mazda2 in Thailand will be affected by the recall, while the seat-height adjustment in the Mazda2 will affect mostly Western drivers because they are much taller than Asians," said Mr Thee.