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The Yellow Sac spider, seen above, likes the smell of gasoline, crawls into a vent lines, builds a web and creates a blockage. Mazda said it could potentially cause a fire, but none have been reported yet.

(Creative Commons)

What's yellow, has eight legs and cracks the fuel tanks on Mazda6 sedans?

The yellow sac spider.

On Friday Mazda issued a recall on all 2010, 2011 and 2012 Mazda6 sedans with 2.4-liter engines in the U.S. — roughly 42,000 vehicles.

Auto analysts say this particular spider crawls into a vent line because it likes the smell of gasoline. It then makes a web which blocks the line.

This is the second time in three years Mazda has had to issue a recall because of the spider, according to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The NHTSA says that the spider's web is strong and dense enough to restrict the flow of fuel, which in turn lowers fuel tank pressure when the emission control system purges vapors from the evaporative canister. Translation: The fuel tank could crack and leak, increasing the risk of fire.

Although it is a risk, Mazda said it is not aware of any actual fires.

After the first Yellow Sac spider-related recall in 2011, the automaker added a spring vent lines to keep the arachnid from crawling inside.

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