Mitsubishi Recalls 200,000 Faulty SUVs

Mitsubishi Motors Corp today announced that it would recall approximately 200,000 SUVs worldwide due to what seems to be a defective brake light system, Just-auto reported today. Although there are only a few details available for the time being, we still know the recall concerns 52,047 Outlander and Grandis models sold in Japan and 150,000 units distributed overseas between May 2005 and April 2008. As expected, the faulty brake light system will be replaced by authorized dealerships free of charge.

"When the brake light system starts not to function, the gearshift may get stuck in the parking position," the report wrote by Mitsubishi and sent to the transport ministry reads according to the aforementioned source.

A similar issue concerning Mitsubishi's Outlander took place in US, this time related to the car's heated seating system which, according to a notification sent by the Japanese manufacturer to NHTSA, could result in a fire.

“If a vehicle occupant enters the vehicle with a sufficient amount of snow on their feet containing road salt, it is possible for the melted snow mixture to soak the carpet and allow the salt-water solution to come into contact with the unused power seat harness connector,” Mitsubishi wrote in the advisory. “The connector terminal may corrode and allow current to flow.”

The second generation Mitsubishi Outlander was officially rolled out in October, 2005, with the North American version debuted in April 2006 at the New York Auto Show. More importantly, it became the best-selling SUV in Japan between October 2005 and March 2006, while US sales were pretty poor. For instance, even though the company estimated sales of about 4,000 vehicles per month, Mitsubishi delivered approximately 2,000 units in November and December 2006 in United States.