30,000 Mazdas recalled in New Zealand over ignition fault

Mazda says NZ car owners will have the problem fixed free of charge (Reuters)
Mazda says NZ car owners will have the problem fixed free of charge (Reuters)

At least 30,000 of New Zealand's Mazda vehicles have been recalled after concerns were raised over an ignition fault that could see cars go up in flames.

The issue is related to a variety of Mazda models produced between April 1988 and December 2005 - something Mazda first released information about in October last year.

The fault relates to excess grease applied to the touch points inside the ignition switch, which "has the potential to generate heat and smoke, and in the worst case, a fire", the car manufacturer's New Zealand branch said.

Mazda say owners of the vehicles being recalled will have the problem fixed free of charge.

The mass recall comes a matter of days after Mitsubishi and Toyota were forced to recall tens of thousands of vehicles in New Zealand and worldwide.

It also follows a ginormous payout of US$21.7 billion to US Volkswagen owners last week, that saw the company's American branch buy back vehicles embroiled in the diesel emissions scandal.

These are the models being recalled:

30,000 Mazdas recalled in New Zealand over ignition fault

Newshub.