Over 50,000 Japanese-made Mazda 6 cars were recalled in the United States due to sightings of the yellow-sac spider, which had been building homes in the fuel tank.
The problem was reportedly discovered in 2009 when a car dealer in the US found one of the small spiders in a canister vent line in the engine after a customer brought the car in for repairs due to a leakage fuel.
The Mazda 6 model holds a ‘particular attraction’ for the yellow-sac spider, which builds its nest in part of the fuel system.
The spider was the likely cause of the leakage, which was caused by an increase in pressure in the fuel tank, causing cracks.
It was not known how the spiders entered the engines, but it is likely they entered during manufacture, assembly, or transport.
Their venom could reportedly cause small lesions in humans.
20 infestations have actually been reported in Mazda 6 cars throughout the world.