Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
- Component
- Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
- Manufacturer
- MAZDA MOTOR CORP
- Vehicles affected
- 9,800
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2006-12-04
- Owners notified
- 2006-12-18
Defect description
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN,AND WYOMING. THE SIDE DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS MAY EXPERIENCE WATER INTRUSION ALLOWING THE LATCH MECHANISM TO FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER.
Safety risk
AS A RESULT, WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED THE DOOR LATCH PAWL MAY REMAIN IN THE OPEN POSITION RESULTING IN THE DOOR NOT BEING ABLE TO BE CLOSED AND LATCHED. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED WITH AN OPEN DOOR IT MAY ALLOW AN UNBELTED OCCUPANT TO BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SLIDING DOOR LATCHES WITH MODIFIED LATCHES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.