More than 50,000 Mazda6 vehicles from the 2009-2010 model years in the United States and an additional 15,000 vehicles in Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico were recalled.
The company said a spider could weave a web in a vent connected to the fuel tank and clog up the tank's ventilation. Pressure on the fuel tank could lead to a crack, causing fuel to leak and the risk of a fire.
/*Mazda*/ spokesman Jeremy Barnes said dealers had identified 20 cases in which spider webs, linked to yellow sac spiders, were found in the vents. There were no reports of any fires, injuries or crashes.
The /*recall*/ involves vehicles with V4 engines built from April 2008 to February 2010.
Owners will be notified by mid-March and told to take their vehicles to dealers for inspection and repairs. Customers can call Mazda at (800) 222-5500.
The Assocatied Press contributed to this report.
