Mazda Japan Recalls 81,000 Vehicles

TOKYO August 26, 2005; Japan Today reported that Mazda Motor Corp said Thursday it will recall about 81,000 vehicles in seven models, including the Friendee van, manufactured between May 1999 and January 2003 due to defects in transmission systems.

In a report filed with the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry, the automaker said the defects were found in the oil pressure control mechanism in the transmission systems. In the worst cases, the gearbox could become unworkable and the vehicles could cease to move at all.