Things do not always go according to plan. With the many elements that go into making a car, there is a lot that could go wrong. If a car manufacturer is lucky, any problems are detected and rectified before the vehicles hit the market. However, that is often not the case.

From Toyota to Ford, no car company is immune. There was the 2010 recall of 2.3 million Toyota vehicles due to the potential risk of acceleration pedals getting stuck. The year before that saw the recall of 4.5 million vehicles made by Ford due to faulty cruise control units. Currently, Mazda has had to recall 7,854 CX-9 SUVs due to issues with wiring.

Mazda CX-9 recall

When it comes to the wiring for modern vehicles, one thing going wrong could result in several problems cropping up. The problems could range from something minor to an issue that could affect the car’s overall safety.

Mazda announced that a recall of 7,854 2018 Mazda CX-9 crossovers built between September 12 and November 9 in 2017. The reason for the recall is a problem with the wiring harness. Some of the wiring harness connector terminals have a weak retention force that could lead to disruptions between the various control modules in the vehicle.

What complicates matters further is that drivers aren’t all experiencing the same problem as a result of the defective wiring harness. In some situations, the turn signals may stop functioning or the engine might not restart. In other situations, the front airbag on the passenger’s side might not deploy in the event of a crash.

Each resulting problem presents a unique safety hazard specific to that problem. The inability to use turn signals to indicate to other motorists which direction you intend to turn could cause an accident. On top of that, if the passenger’s airbag fails to deploy, it could lead to serious injuries.

Has the Mazda CX-9 recall caused any injuries or accidents?

Thankfully Mazda stated that it has not received reports of any injuries or accidents in relation to the defect. The company, however, has not yet said how it plans to rectify the problem. There are no specifics on whether it plans to install different harness connector terminals, replace the harnesses, or pick another solution altogether.

The company said it expects to have sent out the notifications no later than July 29. Though to be safe, you do not have to wait for the notification email. If you own a 2018 Mazda CX-9, it’s best to get in touch with your dealer, confirm if your vehicle is affected by the recall, and set up an appointment to have your vehicle looked at.

The effect of recalls on automotive companies

Every recall has costs tied to it. First, there is the direct financial cost related to the replacement or repair of the faulty part, which includes service and material costs. Other possible costs can stem from potential litigation. For example, Toyota had to pay $1.2 billion to American authorities to settle the case related to a recall on malfunctioning ignition switches.

Aside from the direct costs, there are also indirect costs incurred. These often include damage to a company’s image. An automaker that frequently recalls vehicles could mean consumers consider the brand to be unreliable. Regular recalls can drive consumers away from a brand straight to its competition meaning lost sales.

If Mazda can act quickly and rectify the reported defects, it’s unlikely the brand will take a massive hit in its standing with consumers.