The defect
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SOCKET HOLDER IN THE FOG LIGHTS IS INSTALLED IN THE LAMP CASING USING PRESSURE. DURING OPERATION OF THE FOG LIGHT, THE HEAT FROM THE BULB CAN EXPAND THE SOCKET HOLDER. THE EXPANSION CAN FORCE THE SOCKET HOLDER REARWARD. AFTER REPEATEDLY BEING SUBJECT TO THIS EXPANSION, IF THE FOG LIGHT IS ALSO SUBJECTED TO VIBRATION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE SOCKET HOLDER WITH THE BULB HOLDER AND THE WIRING HARNESS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FOG LIGHT CASING.
The risk
SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE BULB SOCKET AND THE HARNESS CAN DROP INSIDE THE BUMPER AND POSSIBLY BUT RARELY, THE HEAT GENERATED BY THE BULB CAN CAUSE THE BUMPER TO BURN.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING TO PREVENT THE SOCKET HOLDER FROM SEPARATING FROM THE LAMP CASE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Mazda Mazda6 | 2003 |
| Mazda Miata | 2001, 2002, 2003 |
| Mazda MPV | 2002, 2003 |
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda MPV | 2002 | 124 | 4 |
| Mazda MPV | 2003 | 113 | 4 |
| Mazda Mazda6 | 2003 | 174 | 6 |
| Mazda Miata | 2001 | 0 | 1 |
| Mazda Miata | 2002 | 0 | 1 |
| Mazda Miata | 2003 | 0 | 1 |
Other exterior lighting recalls in 2003
18 of the 527 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2003 concerned the exterior lighting; MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS filed 42 campaigns in all.
| 03V509000 4 Dec 2003 | JAGUAR CARS LTD |
| 03V485000 25 Nov 2003 | BENSON INTERNATIONAL, INC. |
| 03V388000 10 Oct 2003 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 03V327000 28 Aug 2003 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 03V265000 25 Jul 2003 | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC |
| 03V262000 22 Jul 2003 | HACKNEY |
| 03V258000 22 Jul 2003 | INDIAN MOTORCYCLE COMPANY |
| 03V217000 10 Jun 2003 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2003