Rusty tailgates and engine fault prompt Mazda to recall 2.3 million vehicles

Mazda is to recall 2.3 million vehicles worldwide over potential problems with their tailgates and diesel engines. The Japanese car-maker needs to fix the tailgate damper stays, which it warns may corrode and break if exposed to salt. It is recalling about 390,000 vehicles - including the Mazda 3 and the CX-3 SUV crossover - in Japan and another 1.8 million overseas. The affected vehicles were produced between December 2007 and December 2015. In Japan, it is also recalling another 110,000 vehicles produced between August 2014 and August 2016 over a computer problem with their diesel engines.

A settings flaw within the engine control unit leads to soot buildup in the exhaust valves that can result in noise, vibration and engine failure while driving

Transport ministry official Yosuke Sabato

The tailgate problem has arisen because paint was wrongly applied but it has not led to any injuries or accidents, the company said. A Mazda spokeswoman insisted there would be no major financial impact from the recall on the company’s business. However, Mazda took a $365.6 million hit in the quarter ended March 31 after recalling vehicles equipped with faulty air-bag inflaters. In December, Mazda recalled 1.3 million vehicles in the U.S. because of excessive grease in the ignition switch that could cause the switch to overheat.