Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulatorRecall 14V-173 · Mazda vehicles
Mazda North American Operations recall 14V-173 covers 5,700 Mazda vehicles for a electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator problem, reported to NHTSA on April 3, 2014. The manufacturer's latest report (2015 Q3) shows 86% of affected vehicles repaired.
Source: NHTSA recall 14V173000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by the manufacturer.
The problem
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through December 18, 2013, and model year 2014-2015 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured May 20, 2013, through December 4, 2013, and both equipped with a 2.5L engine and a regenerative engine braking system. When driving the affected vehicles in heavy rain or in deep puddles, the alternator belt may slip causing the Power Control module (PCM) to incorrectly assume failure of the charging system.
The risk
Once the PCM assumes that the charging system has failed, the vehicle will stop charging and could result in poor acceleration, loss of steering assist and windshield wiper operation, and a possible engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7314D.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How fast cars are being fixed
86%repaired
Share of affected vehicles repaired in each quarterly report the manufacturer filed with NHTSA. 106 vehicles were listed as unreachable.
Vehicles in this recall
Built from May 20, 2013 to December 18, 2013. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.