Mitsubishi recalls nearly 500,000 Australian vehicles

Mitsubishi Motors Australia has today issued safety recall notices for almost half a million vehicles afflicted by a variety of problems ranging from power steering and brake booster failure to faulty headlights and rusty fuel tanks.

The seven separate recall notices, affecting almost all models in the Japanese car-maker's line-up, is unrelated to the fuel consumption cheating scandal that emerged in April and led to a takeover of Mitsubishi by Nissan in May.

Mitsubishi admitted to fudging fuel consumption tests on 625,000 Japanese mini-cars since 1991 and is yet to announce the results of an independent study established to determine whether export models are also affected.

Today's recalls, for which affected owners will be notified by mail, will be costly for Mitsubishi's Australian arm, in both financial and publicity terms, because they affect a large number of popular models.

The largest since recall involves 383,379 vehicles in which the headlights, tail-light, indicators, fog lights, number plate lights and cabin lights could operate intermittently or fail completely.

"The turn signal and lighting switch connector terminals may become worn during switch operation due to insufficient rigidity," said Mitsubishi. "This may result in an accumulation of oxidised dust on the connector terminals. Excessive dust accumulation can act as an insulator, affecting proper terminal conductivity."

Models potentially affected by the condition include the CJ Lancer Sedan (92,954 vehicles), CJ Lancer Sportback (28,269), MN Triton 4x4 Manual (73,676), MN Triton 4x2 (43,616), MN Triton 4x4 Auto (35,786), NS/ NT/NW/NX Pajero (50,733), ZG/ZH Outlander (46,262), PC Challenger (11,846) and GA/GB i-MiEV (237).

Although some vehicles may be involved in multiple recalls, the second relates to the 09-10MY Lancer Sedan (22,329), Lancer Sportback (10,424) and Outlander (11,832), in which the headlights could turn off and/or the windscreen wipers become inoperable.

"An inappropriate manufacturing process of an electrical part on a manufacturing line may cause the voltage inside the ETACS ECU to be unstable," said Mitsubishi.

The third recall involves an unspecified number of 2014 and 2015 model year Lancer Evolution and Ralliart models in which "the rear right hand side parking brake cable may interfere with fuel tank and may result in damage to the protective coating of the fuel tank. The fuel tank might rust through, allowing fuel to leak".

The next problem also affects an unspecified number of vehicles, this time 11MY Colt CVT vehicles (with VINs ranging between JMFXTZ23ABZ000234 and JMFXTZ23ABZ001624) and 11MY Colt manuals (JMFXNZ23ABZ000143-JMFXNZ23ABZ000578).

In this case "There is a defect in the electronic power steering gearbox in certain 11MY Colt vehicles. Due to improper crimping of the terminal connection between the steering force torque sensor and the wiring harness a continuity failure may occur."

Mitsubishi says this could result in power steering failure.

Furthermore, Mitsubishi has recalled 16MY ZK Outlander vehicles, excluding the PHEV, fitted with electric trailer brakes.

"Due to a running vehicle wiring harness design change at Mitsubishi, the electric trailer brake accessory harness that Mitsubishi had been selling is not suitable for 16MY Outlander… Use of the harness will stop the electric trailer brakes from functioning and the trailer brake lights will not operate," said the company.

Finally, a handful of 10MY and 12MY i-MiEV vehicles have also been recalled to fix potential brake problems.

"The brake warning lamp may illuminate due to improper software judgement that the vacuum pump relay has seized," said Mitsubishi.

"On selected vehicles the location of the brake vacuum pump exhaust may allow mud or sand to accumulate, and if this contains road salt, corrosion may result blocking the exhaust port of the pump. Either condition can result in ineffective operation of the brake vacuum pump.

"The brake booster vacuum may become low, resulting in lower brake booster assistance. If this occurs the stopping distance may increase, potentially causing an accident."

By our count today's recalls affect about 430,000 Mitsubishi vehicles in Australia, excluding the i-MiEV, Colt, Lancer Ralliart, Lancer Evo and trailer brake-equipped Outlander vehicles.

Concerned owners of affected vehicles can contact Mitsubishi Motors Australia's customer care centre, on 1300 131211.