Ten of the weirdest car recalls

Reason: SPIDERS

Mazda once announced a recall on 42,000 Mazda 6 models built between 2010 and 2012 and featuring the 2.5-litre four-pot.

Terrifyingly, it's because the Yellow Sac spider was attracted to the hydrocarbons in the vent lines, and felt so at home they began to build webs, which caused ‘negative pressure' in the fuel tank. This pressure could have resulted in cracked tanks, or worse, fire.

Mazda originally installed a cover on the fuel line to prevent the Spider from entering, before reflashing the ECU to change the way it purged the charcoal canister.

Yep, you read that right. SPIDERS.

Reason: Random engine start

Yup, Subarus once became self-aware. The Japanese company announced a recall for the above named vehicles equipped with the ‘Audiovox' remote engine start and automatic gearbox. Yeah, start worrying.

Apparently, if the remote engine start fob was dropped, it could ‘randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button'. Yowser. Once self-started, the cars could run up to 15 minutes, or until the fuel runs out/key fob battery dies/John Connor is found and terminated.

Reason: Frickin' SPIDERS again

885,000. That's the really Big Number of cars Toyota recalled a while back because of spider webs.

Apparently, the little critters were spinning their DEATHTRAPS near the air conditioning condensers, causing blockages in draining tubes. This apparently caused water to drip down into the airbag control module, short-circuiting it and in more serious cases, could have caused the airbag to inflate suddenly.

There was even the potential for a complete loss of power steering, too. Top Gear is now incredibly terrified of Spiders. No amount of ‘misunderstood spider' memes will help.

Reason: Wrong badges

Simple one, this. In 2013, Honda recalled the Odyssey van because it placed the ‘Odyssey' badge on the wrong side of the rear. It should have been installed on the driver's side of the boot, but many were incorrectly fitted on the left. Honda reckoned on it affecting the resale value, because of course, ill-fitted badges imply a dodgy motor.

Something BMW 318i owners with M-Division badging ON EVERY BLOODY BODY PANEL know nothing about.

Reason: Tyre pressure monitoring

Just when you start to the think that the whole world isn't ganging up on you, comes news that your beloved hypercar needs to be recalled. But yours and yours alone.

That was the case for a single Koenigsegg owner who had to send his lonely little Agera back to the factory because of a faulty tyre pressure monitoring system.

The TPMS didn't illuminate on the Agera's restart, and so had to have new software installed.

The saddest thing about the whole episode? The ‘potential number of units affected' entry in the recall: Just 1.

Awww.

Reason: Steering shaft installation

In 2011, GM recalled over 154,000 Cruze models (remember that?) following news that a customer lost steering control in a car park. Woah. Thankfully it didn't result in accident or injury.

Apparently there were ‘issues' with the installation of the steering shaft. No accidents or injuries were reported before the recall.

Reason: Spilled drinks causing airbag problems

In 1995, Toyota issued a recall on 627,858 models of the Corolla because of a faulty airbag sensor. Standard fare, you'd think, but the reason was a little stranger.

The centre console area had a drinks holder. If said drink were to spill over this area, the air bag warning light could illuminate. Worse still, there was a risk the airbag could have been inadvertently deployed.

Reason: MUSIC

Chrysler recalled the 2004 Voyager because of a problem with the air conditioning ducts.

Condensation could drop through the vent holes and into the top of the radio, which in turn would cause a short circuit, sending a direct current to the rear speakers.

The overall hazard? The rear speakers would get a little melty, and a bit on fire. Though this could have also been explained by the emergence of Lindsay Lohan's debut album, Speak.

Reason: Flaming backsides

Another quick, simple one, this: the seat heater on certain 2002-2004 VW Jettas could malfunction. Because you are all aware what a seat is and what the concept of an excessively heated seat entails, we shall not explain further.

Reason: Boot pops open

In 2010, 34,379 models of Holden's lovable Ute were recalled because of a faulty latch on the boot.

Said faulty latch meant the boot could swing open whenever it felt the need to break free, relieving owners of their goods onto the road behind.