Madza owners caught out by a bad batch of petrol that causes fuel gauges to malfunction, are now facing delays to have their cars fixed.
Z petrol stations are among those affected by the sulphuric fuel. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
The high-sulphur content of the 91 and 95 fuel causes faulty fuel gauge readings.
Motorists affected by the issue report running out of gas despite the fuel gauge showing there was still a quarter of a tank left.
Mazda New Zealand said due to the large number of cars needing repairs it had now run out of replacement fuel sensors.
A spokeswoman for Mazda says more supplies have been ordered from Japan, but it's not known how long it will take to arrive.
The fuel was sold at Z Energy, BP and Mobil stations between late November and mid-December, with Holden, Mazda and Kia models particularly affected.
A spokesman for Holden said about 100 of its vehicles in Auckland had been damaged by the fuel, but it was not facing any shortage of parts to repair them.
The three fuel companies were still investigating how the fuel, that was shipped from Refinery NZ's Whangarei plant to a storage facility in Wiri, South Auckland, came to have elevated sulphur levels.
