The new Mazda 6, which was launched in Malaysia last week, is being subjected to a recall which affects 502 vehicles in the UK and up to 15,000 cars globally.
An ‘incident’ in Australia prompted the move by the Japanese company and specifically impacts on all diesel model Mazda 6s and 165ps Sport petrol models.
According to a release from Mazda, a faulty component ‘may cause overheating of the unit and in a worst case scenario, a fire may result’.
Mazda added the fault is ‘very small’ and the recall is ‘a precautionary measure’.
The recall will eliminate a potential fault with a component in the DC/DC convertor that is located under the front passenger seat. The DC/DC converter is part of the car’s i-ELOOP brake energy recuperation system, which uses a capacitor to power the vehicle’s electrical components.
Rectification of the issue will see the DC/ DC convertor replaced free of charge.
The i-ELOOP system features a new 12-25V variable voltage alternator, a low-resistance electric double layer capacitor and the aforementioned DC/DC converter. Through kinectic energy from deceleration, the variable voltage alternator generates electricity at up to 25V for maximum efficiency before sending it to the Electric Double Layer Capacitor (EDLC) for storage.
The DC/DC converter then steps down the electricity from 25V to 12V before it is distributed directly to the vehicle’s electrical components. The system also charges the vehicle battery as necessary.
A Mazda spokesperson told Car Dealer: ‘We are phoning every owner of the all-new Mazda6 to replace the faulty part. It only takes 45 minutes to fix.’
The Mazda release added: ‘For all customers who are awaiting delivery of their new Mazda6 these cars will have the modification made before delivery which, in the short term, may result in a slight delay. All customers will be contacted by their dealer to update on the expected delivery date.’
For more information, owners are being directed to Mazda’s customer services department on: 0845 600 4234.