MAZDA MOTOR OF AMERICA INC. AGREED TO PAY A $900,000 PENAL TY AND TO MODIFY ITS REPORTING OF EMISSION CONTROL DEFECTS IN ORDER TO SETTLE ALLEGATIONS IT VIOLATED THE CLEAN AIR ACT SECTIONS 203, 207 & 208. MAZDA, BASED IN IRVINE, CALIF., FAILED TO PROMPTLY REPORT DEFECTIVE EMISSION CONTROL DEVICES IN ITS MPV MINIVANS. THE SETTLEMENT COVERS 226,000 MPV MINIVANS IN MODEL YEARS 1989 THROUGH 1994. THEIR EMISSION CONTROL DEVICES HAVE A PART THAT CAN CRACK OR BREAK, EMITTING GASOLINE VAPOR INTO THE ATMOSPHERE AT A LEVEL SUBSTANTIALLY ABOVE EPA'S STANDARD, THE GOVERNMENT SAID. PASSENGERS MAY DETECT A GASOL INE ODOR INSIDE THE JUDGE SIGNED CD 12/9/99.