Mazda to recall 4.9-mil. older vehicles globally over ignition-switch issue

Follows an earlier recall of 923,672 vehicles in Japan on the same issue.

Mazda is recalling 4.9-million vehicles globally, including 1.36 million in the United States, over an ignition-switch issue that potentially causes fires, according to several media reports. The vehicles affected are were manufactured in the 1990s and include the 323, Protégé, 626, 929, MX-6, MPV, and MX-3 in the US. The Japanese automaker says too much grease was put on electrical contact points when the cars were manufactured. Over time, the grease may carbonise and reduce electrical insulation, and Mazda says that continuous use can cause electricity to flow between the points and make the switches overheat.