Faulty Airbag: Mitsubishi Recalls 2010 Endeavor

Mitsubishi is recalling 2010 Endeavor in the United States due to what appears to be a serious safety glitch affecting the airbags. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration informed a few days ago that the Japanese manufacturer is recalling 531 units sold as model year 2010 in the US.

"Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc is recalling certain model year 2010 Endeavor model vehicles manufactured between May 26 and July 28, 2009," the NHTSA wrote in a notification published on the official website. "The retainer bracket used for the seat-mounted side airbag frames on both the driver and front passenger seats may not have been properly welded."

Obviously, the consequences of such a glitch could lead to serious injuries to the seat occupant.

"If this condition exists, the front seat-mounted airbags may not deploy correctly in a side impact crash, possibly resulting in injury to the seat occupant," it mentioned.

All operations needed to fix the problem will be conducted free of charge, the NHTSA mentioned in the advisory. "MMNA will notify owners and dealers will inspect the weld condition of the side airbag retainer bracket on the front passenger seats," the organization said. "If the weld is insufficient, the dealer will replace the seatback assembly free of charge."

Mitsubishi will begin contacting the affected owners but the recalls are expected to begin on or about September 22, 2009.

The 2010 Endeavor is currently assembled in Normal, Illinois and is powered by a 3.8-liter SOHC V6 engine. It went on sale in June 2009, with the 2010 model getting a minor facelift, with newer front and rear fascias.