Over 100,000 Mitsubishi Triton utes recalled

More than 100,000 Mitsubishi Triton utes sold between February 3, 2015 and December 2, 2019 have been recalled due to a fire risk.

Mitsubishi says the problem for Australia’s third most popular ute relates to incorrect installation of the genuine accessory towbar wiring harness (where fitted), which may allow liquids to contact the electrical circuits.

“This may cause the harness and its surrounds to overheat, burn or catch fire,” said the car-maker in its recall notice.

“If the tow bar wiring harness or its surrounds burn or catch fire, there is a risk of injury to vehicle occupants and other road users.”

In all, 102,616 examples of the Mitsubishi MQ and MR Triton (MY2015-2019) are involved in the recall – see if your vehicle’s VIN is listed here.

Mitsubishi says it will write to affected owners and advise them to present their vehicle to their preferred dealer to have the vehicle inspected and, if required, rectified free of charge.

Obviously, not all vehicles included in the recall are fitted with a tow bar, and Mitsubishi says some of those equipped with a genuine tow kit will have a correctly installed wiring harness.

Concerned owners can contact Mitsubishi Motors Australia on 1800 931 811 or their preferred dealer on 1300 131 211.

Meantime yesterday, 3542 examples of the Mercedes-Benz VS20 Vito van sold between May 4, 2015 and October 25, 2019 (MY2015-2019) were recalled due to a fire risk.

“Vehicles with an auxiliary battery installed under the front driver seat may not include a seat base cover, which may result in the seat base being used as a storage compartment, which is not its intended use,” said Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia/Pacific.

“If a conductive object is stored in the auxiliary battery compartment and connects the two battery terminals, this may cause a short circuit and potentially result in a fire, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants and bystanders.”

Affected owners (see the VIN list here) are asked to “immediately contact their most convenient Mercedes-Benz Retailer for a replacement retrofit cover, free of charge repair”.

Finally this week, 127 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter VS30 vans (MY2018-2020) sold between December 3, 2018 and February 10 this year were recalled because their steel rear leaf springs “may not meet the required level of strength during operation and may break during use”.

“If one of the springs breaks, the driver may not have full control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of an accident and injury to the vehicle occupants and other road users,” said Benz.

“Consumers are asked to contact their most convenient Mercedes-Benz Retailer for a vehicle inspection and replacement of the rear axle springs, where necessary.”