Suzuki recalls 19,000 cars due to fire-starting spiders

Spiders could cause your Suzuki to explode. The Japanese carmaker has recalled more then 19,000 modes of its Kizashi saloon in the United States due to the arachnids causing a potential risk of fire.

The spiders are attracted to the petrol vapours in the exhaust pipe, where they set up house, spinning webs that cause blockages. The blockages result in a build-up of negative pressure, which could cause the vehicle’s petrol tank to deform, thus increasing the risk of the fuel inside it combusting.

The American Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirmed it has received seven reports of the problem, although there have been no injuries or accidents as a result.

Suzuki intends to contact Kisazhi owners directly, and will ask them to bring their cars to a local service centre where the vehicles will be fitted with a spider-proof filter. Petrol tanks will also be replaced if necessary.

Cars built between 2010 and 2013 are affected.

Suzuki isn’t the only car maker to have been affected by the eight-legged creatures. Mazda recalled 42,000 examples of its 6 saloon for a very similar issue back in April.