Spiders attack, again -- targeting Suzuki Kizashi sedans

Those pesky gasoline-huffing spiders are back, and this time they’ve invaded Suzuki Kizashis.

Suzuki is recalling about 20,000 of the mid-size sedans, built in the model years 2010 to 2013, to replace fuel system vent hoses where spiders have woven webs.

The webs could create “an excessive amount of negative pressure,” according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which could cause cracks in the fuel tank, which in turn could increase the risk of a vehicle fire.

The culprit was found to be the yellow sac spider, a mildly venomous species (their bite is similar to a mosquito bite). The spiders are repeat offenders. In 2011 and again in 2014, Mazda issued recalls for fuel systems that had been invaded by the species. The car company said it believed the spiders were attracted to the hydrocarbons in its vehicles.

Suzuki has said it will be notifying owners of the affected vehicles. Its dealers will replace an evaporative canister vent with new vent lines outfitted with filters. Where obstructions are found, the company will also replace fuel tanks.

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