2006 Mazda MAZDA5

THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS.

RiskTHIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

FixTHULE WILL MAIL A RETRO FIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THULE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-238-2388.

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN,AND WYOMING. THE SIDE DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS MAY EXPERIENCE WATER INTRUSION ALLOWING THE LATCH MECHANISM TO FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER.

RiskAS A RESULT, WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED THE DOOR LATCH PAWL MAY REMAIN IN THE OPEN POSITION RESULTING IN THE DOOR NOT BEING ABLE TO BE CLOSED AND LATCHED. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED WITH AN OPEN DOOR IT MAY ALLOW AN UNBELTED OCCUPANT TO BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH.

FixDEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SLIDING DOOR LATCHES WITH MODIFIED LATCHES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A HEAT BUILDUP IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN OCCUR.

RiskTHIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

FixMAZDA INSTRUCTED OWNERS (SEPTEMBER 16, 2005) TO BRING IN THEIR VEHICLES AND WILL BE GIVEN A RENTAL OR LOANER VEHICLE AT NO COST WHILE MAZDA REPAIRS THESE VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 26, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.