Spider Problem Shows Up in Honda and Hyundai Models, Too
Last week’s bizarre recall regarding spider webs in the 2009-10 Mazda6 could claim more victims: the Honda Accord and some Hyundai vehicles, according to service bulletins put out by both companies.
Honda reported having a similar spider problem with its 2008-09 Accord, according to the Chicago Tribune. In some of those vehicles, yellow sac spiders caused the same problems seen in the Mazda6.
Like in the Mazda 6 recall, the same specific breed of spider can weave a web in the evaporative canister vent, which helps capture any raw fuel from evaporating in the fuel tank. The spiders can prevent the evaporative system (EVAP) from functioning correctly, which, in turn, raises the pressure in the fuel tank and can cause a crack, fuel leak or fire.
While searching for the particulars of the Honda service bulletin, we discovered a Hyundai technical service bulletin pointing out that foreign materials — such as dirt, spider webs or a kinked line — could be the cause of an EVAP problem in its vehicles if such a problem is discovered during a diagnostic check.
Mazda recalled some 52,000 of its vehicles, but right now Honda doesn’t expect to file an official recall. Honda issued a service bulletin explaining the problem to Honda mechanics and how to fix it. Honda believes the arachnid is squeezing past the small gaps surrounding the fuel door and crawling down the vent hole into the EVAP system.
Repairs include cleaning out the spider webs and installing a spring to drain the box, just like in the Mazda6. The spider fix for the Accord will be covered under the vehicle’s warranty, according to the bulletin. The same goes for the Hyundais.
To read more about the Honda bulletin, you can download a PDF version of it here.
Spiders Show Up in Honda Accords Too (Chicago Tribune)
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spiderman, spiderman, screws up cars like a spider can
spins a web, any size, stops cars cold, in time
(sorry)
Gee,only in the imports....
I wonder if any domestics have this issue..they're certainly home to plenty of other bugs.
J/K.
The Accord, Mazda 6, and Hyundai Sonata/Elantra are all made in the U.S., so it's not a problem from across the ocean. This is just really bizarre. The Mazda 6 is made in Detroit, and the Accord and Hyundai models are made in the south/midwest; so it's just not a regional thing. They must use the same suppliers or shipping companies; which is all I can think of. I had mice in my Audi once after I bought it (probably from being on a ship for a couple months.), but no spiders.
The Hyundai bulletin dates back to when only the Sonata was being made in the US and indicates cars well before even that.
According to a Reuters article, this Mazda is more susceptible to the problem because it has two hoses:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/04/uk-mazda-spiders-idUSLNE72301Z20110304
the domestics do not run long enough for the problem to show up.
Wow who would have though this was possible? Any word on what regions of the country are home to these critters? Is this something to worry about in the Northeast?