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Carsales Staff14 Aug 2014
NEWS

Mitsubishi recalls almost 115,000 vehicles

Faulty light switches lead to one of the biggest recalls this year as Mitsubishi joins this week's recall list

Mitsubishi has recalled almost 115,000 vehicles dating back to 2004 to fix faulty light switches, representing one of its largest ever Australian recalls and the biggest this year since Toyota recalled more than 300,000 HiLux, Prado and Yaris vehicles in April.

The latest in a litany of automotive safety recall notices issued this week involves a total of 114,862 Mitsubishis, including Colt, Lancer, Evo, Grandis, 380, Outlander and Pajero models built between 2004 and 2008.

Specifically, the recall affects the model year 2005-2008 DB-series 380 sedan, the 2004-2008 RG Colt, 2004-2008 BA Grandis, 2005-2007 CH/CY Lancer and Evo, 2005-2007 ZF Outlander and 2005-2006 NP Pajero.

"Due to inappropriate structure of the base for the lighting switch platform, a crack may develop in the soldering in the printed circuit board between the base and the platform caused by the repeated heating cycle of expansion and contraction," says Mitsubishi's recall notice.

"In the worst case scenario, the cracked portion could cause a temporary continuity failure, resulting in a situation where the headlamps and/or turn signal lamps turn off, do not turn on or stay on. This may pose an accident hazard to the driver and other road users."

The recall was initiated following a small number of Australian cases and the owners of affected vehicles will be notified by mail. Mitsubishi's remedy involves the replacement of the printed circuit board or, for vehicles with headlight washers, the light switch.

It brings to 15 the number of recalls Mitsubishi has conducted since 2013 (including four this year), and to five the total number issued in the last two days.

Also today, Hino recalled 7756 examples of its 300 Series truck to an replace air-conditioning condenser bracket bolt that could short circuit wires, potentially leading to engine stalling.

Yesterday, GM Holden recalled 2724 Saab 9-3 Convertibles built between August 2003 and March 2011 to repair seatbelt tensioners that may not retract in some vehicles.

On the same day, Jaguar Land Rover Australia called back certain MY2011-2012 Defender 110 vehicles to inspect oil leaks from the front axle case, following reports of wheel hub assemblies collapsing and even parting company with the vehicle. Land Rover says 55 vehicles will need their axle cases replaced, while 224 will need brackets fitted.

"Some customers have reported oil leaks from end of the front axle case. In more severe cases customers have reported that the wheel hub assembly and suspension have collapsed up into the wheel arch. In extreme cases the wheel and hub have detached from the vehicle," it said.

"If the wheel hub assembly and suspension collapse or detach the vehicle stability will be compromised and the degree of directional control minimised, this significantly increases the risk of an accident.

"Owners will be notified and instructed to take their vehicles to a Land Rover authorised repairer who in the case of certain 110 and 130 vehicles with heavy duty suspension, will have (a) correct specification replacement front axle case installed (Recall action P047).

"All other affected vehicles will have an additional bracket (Recall action P048) mounted to the end of the axle case tube to ensure that in the event of failure, wheel, hub assembly and suspension is retained. In this condition the vehicle will exhibit an oil leak from the failed weld area and it is possible steering will be less precise, steering may be misaligned and off-centre steering will be degraded. In this condition vehicle stability and control ability is fully maintained."

Yesterday also say JLR recall 96 versions of the MY2015 Range Rover TDV6 and SDV8 due to an under-bonnet fire risk.

"Under certain conditions an internal short circuit in the cooling fan module can lead to a failure and combustion of the external cable insulation. Secondary short circuits can then be created leading to further fire propagation," said the recall notice.

"In this condition there is an increased risk of under bonnet fire. If the fire occurs and the vehicle is left unattended there is a significant risk of damage to buildings and inhabitants."

Land Rover said the electric cooling fan assembly in affected models will be "replaced with a current production level fan assembly" at no cost.
On Monday this week, Isuzu recalled 3683 examples (including about 1000 in dealer or stock or transit) of its MU-X SUV, the centre rear seatbelt anchor point in which does not meet Australian Design Rule requirements.

"The material used in the nut for 2nd row middle seatbelt anchor point may not meet the specification required by the engineering drawing and design. In addition, excessive impurities were found in the base material of the nut," said Isuzu.

"In the event of a severe frontal accident the nut may break and the passengers seated in the second row of seats, utilising the center seat belt anchorage point, may not be sufficiently restrained."

Isuzu says it will replace the existing bolt used to fasten the centre-rear seatbelt anchor with a longer bolt, which also includes an additional nut that fastens from the other end.

Last week, seven examples of Jaguar's F-TYPE V6 S were recalled because their engine management software failed to limit top speed in the event their deployable rear spoiler (DRS) fails to deploy.

"Where road speed exceeds 217kph with the DRS in the down position vehicle stability will be compromised and the degree of directional control minimised, this significantly increases the risk of an accident," said JLR.

Also last week, GM Holden updated a recall notice issued in January the Barina Spark, adding a further 241 examples also affected by a potential transmission mount crack that could cause loss of vehicle control. Vehicles built between May 10 and June 8 last year are affected.

Also recalled since our last recall story were a total of 20 Mercedes-Benz SL and SLK sports cars sold between March 1 and May 30 this year, to fix potentially defected passenger airbags.

"In the unlikely event of an accident, which may result in the deployment of the front passenger side dash mounted airbag, small pieces of the airbag module may break free," said Benz on August 4.

"If the defect occurs, the small components may cause injury to the vehicle occupants."

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