Upcoming Mazda Recall for Failure of the Electrical Thermal Base of Ignition Switch

WASHINGTON, DC -- October 26, 2015: Mazda Motor Corporation will conduct a Safety and Emission Recall Campaign for certain models that have a quality and performance issue leading to the potential failure of the electrical thermal base of the ignition switch. The electrical thermal base is the specific part of the component that may fail.

Once the vehicle is running, this situation does not directly affect vehicle drivability or operation, or the operation of any safety devices or features in the vehicle. As a result, there have been no reports of accidents or injuries related to this issue.

Due to an excessive amount of grease at the contact points inside the ignition switch during production, as a result of time and use, the grease may carbonize and accumulate between the contact points, reducing the electrical insulation performance inside the switch. As a result, continuous use may lead the contact points of the thermal base of the switch to become conductive, which may overheat the switch. Should this occur, the resulting effect is smoke from the switch, and, in the worst case, a fire.

Approximately 1.3 million vehicles in the U.S. are affected.

Affected models are:

1990-1995 323

1993-1998 626

1993-1995 929

1989-1998 MPV

1993-1997 MX-6

1992-1993 MX-3

1990-1998 Protégé

Mazda plans to conduct this recall in the U.S. in December 2015.