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2002 Mitsubishi Galant

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Galant years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant are substantially higher than the model-year median of 26.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

77 reports with mileage · 58 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

21 crash reports10 fire reports15 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

27 reports
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12,000 miles · Feb 28, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE ROTORS JERK VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10112269

23,472 miles · Feb 20, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CAR BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE. BRAKE PULSATION,SECOND TIME,LEFT FRONT WHEEL. CAR IS UNDER 3 YEAR 36,000 WARRANTY. CAR HAS 23,472 MILES,WARRANTY GOOD TILL FEB 27TH,2005. DEALER SAYS I NEED BRAKE PADS,INSIDE PADS ARE WORN PAPER THIN,OUTSIDE PAD IS HALF LIFE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN FOR SAME COMPLAINT. DEALER…

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CAR BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE. BRAKE PULSATION,SECOND TIME,LEFT FRONT WHEEL. CAR IS UNDER 3 YEAR 36,000 WARRANTY. CAR HAS 23,472 MILES,WARRANTY GOOD TILL FEB 27TH,2005. DEALER SAYS I NEED BRAKE PADS,INSIDE PADS ARE WORN PAPER THIN,OUTSIDE PAD IS HALF LIFE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN FOR SAME COMPLAINT. DEALER WILL NOT COVER THE BRAKE PADS. BEING THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWICE,AND FROM SAME SIDE..I WOULD BELIEVE THAT A MALFUNCTION OF THE BRAKE CALIPER,OR OTHER DEFECT HAS CAUSED THE ABNORMAL WEAR ON PADS. DEALER REPLACED BOTH FRONT ROTORS,WOULD NOT COVER COST OF BRAKE PADS! ALSO REQUESTED FRONT WHEELS TO BE BALANCED,DEALER CHARGED ME FOR RE-BALANCE,BUT WHEELS WERE NOT RE-BALANCED,HENCE..STILL HAVE VIBRATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10111870

28,000 miles · Feb 19, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

REAR BRAKES MAKE A SQUEALING/GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKING. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID IT WAS BUILT UP BRAKE DUST, THE SOUND CONTINUED AFTER I PICKED IT UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP. TOOK IT BACK AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, AND THEY SEEMED TO BE WORKING PROPERLY, AND THE ONLY WAY TO REMEDY IT …

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REAR BRAKES MAKE A SQUEALING/GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKING. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID IT WAS BUILT UP BRAKE DUST, THE SOUND CONTINUED AFTER I PICKED IT UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP. TOOK IT BACK AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, AND THEY SEEMED TO BE WORKING PROPERLY, AND THE ONLY WAY TO REMEDY IT WAS TO REPLACE THE PADS, WHICH IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10111827

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering

WE BROUGHT OUR CAR IN 4/2002. HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES. WE ARE CURRENTLY ON OUR THIRD SET OF PADS AND OUR SECOND SET OF ROTORS. SQUEEKING HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ALONG WITH GRINDING AND FOR SOME REASON WHEN THE BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. WE HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT THE BRAKES DURING THE LAST PAD CHANGE AND…

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WE BROUGHT OUR CAR IN 4/2002. HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES. WE ARE CURRENTLY ON OUR THIRD SET OF PADS AND OUR SECOND SET OF ROTORS. SQUEEKING HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ALONG WITH GRINDING AND FOR SOME REASON WHEN THE BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. WE HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT THE BRAKES DURING THE LAST PAD CHANGE AND HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A TEAR IN THE CALLIPER SYSTEM. I JUST THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT WAS HAVING THESE PROBLEMS UNTIL I CHECK IT OUT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10095678

21,000 miles · Sep 8, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES. I PURCHASED MY 2002 GALANT ES BRAND NEW IN FEB 2002 FROM GARCIA MITSUBISHI. I STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES WHEN THE CAR HAD AROUND 21000 MILES. THE BRAKES STARTED SQUEALING LIKE A BUS, SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO GARCIA MITSUBISHI IN ALBUQUERQUE, NM. I WAS TOLD BY T…

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I HAVE HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES. I PURCHASED MY 2002 GALANT ES BRAND NEW IN FEB 2002 FROM GARCIA MITSUBISHI. I STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES WHEN THE CAR HAD AROUND 21000 MILES. THE BRAKES STARTED SQUEALING LIKE A BUS, SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO GARCIA MITSUBISHI IN ALBUQUERQUE, NM. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER MY ROTORS WERE GETTING TOO HOT WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE PADS TO CRYSTALLIZE OR GLAZE OVER. I WAS TOLD TO HAVE THE BRAKE PADS CHANGED AND THE ROTORS TURNED. I HAD THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED (WITH NON-FACTORY PADS) AND THE ROTORS TURNED AROUND 24,000 MILES. MY PROBLEM RECURRED, LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THE PROBLEM DID NOT LIE WITH THE PADS. I TOOK MY GALANT BACK TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS AGAIN TOLD THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM, MY NON-FACTORY PADS WERE THE PROBLEM. I KNOW THIS IS NOT TRUE BECAUSE THE PROBLEM ORIGINATED WITH FACTORY PADS. I TOOK MY CAR TO TWO MECHANICS WHO BOTH SAID THE ROTORS ARE NO GOOD AND THERE IS A HIGH POSSIBILITY OF THE CALIPER STICKING. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THERE ARE OTHERS WHO OWN THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR AS MY GALANT WHO ARE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. EACH TIME I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP I AM TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THIS PROBLEM IS DEFINITELY NOT WEAR AND TEAR. GARCIA MITSUBISHI RESPONDED TO A LETTER I WROTE AND TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT HONOR MY WARRANTY BECAUSE I DID NOT MAINTAIN MY CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP (OIL CHANGES, ETC...). I HAVE REPLACED THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE SHAKES WHEN THE BRAKE IS PRESSED. I CAN ALSO SMELL A STRONG SCENT OF BURNING RUBBER. IT HAS BEEN A SHORT 4 MONTHS AND THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I HAVE CALLED 800-MITSU2002 AND THEY ACCUSED ME OF BEING A BAD DRIVER. I HAVE OWNED 5 OTHER VEHICLES IN THE PAST AND NEVER HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. I AM AFRAID OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IF I EVER HAVE TO BRAKE SUDDENLY, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10090648

14,500 miles · Sep 1, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

SUMMARY - VEHICLE STEERING AND BRAKES VIBRATE UPON BRAKING, POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE - BRAKING DISTANCE IS TOO LONG. SHODDY ROTOR/CALIPER QUALITY. DEALERSHIPS AND MITSUBISHI REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CAR HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP REPEATEDLY (5 TIMES) TO REMEDY THE BRAKING PROBLEM - EVERY FEW MONTHS (WITH LESS…

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SUMMARY - VEHICLE STEERING AND BRAKES VIBRATE UPON BRAKING, POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE - BRAKING DISTANCE IS TOO LONG. SHODDY ROTOR/CALIPER QUALITY. DEALERSHIPS AND MITSUBISHI REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CAR HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP REPEATEDLY (5 TIMES) TO REMEDY THE BRAKING PROBLEM - EVERY FEW MONTHS (WITH LESS THAN 2500 MILES SINCE THE LAST TIME THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED). THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE WEST BROAD MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP IN RICHMOND, VA WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS BEING CAUSED BY WARPED ROTORS. THE DEALER RESURFACED THE ROTORS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURED AFTER 7000 MILES. WEST BROAD MITSUBISHI THEN CLAIMED THAT THEY REPLACED THE ROTORS. 5000 MILES LATER, THE BRAKES BEGAN SQUEELING AND THE VIBRATION STARTED AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR BACK IN TO THE WEST BROAD DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS A SECOND TIME TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. BARELY 2300 MILES LATER, THE CAR HAD TO BE TAKEN BACK TO ANOTHER MITSUBISHI DEALER (STOHLMAN) IN VIENNA, VA. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE (NEW) ROTORS HAVE WARPED AND THEYVE HAD TO BE RESURFACED. 2 WEEKS LATER (ABOUT 500 MILES), THE PROBLEM SHOWED UP AGAIN. AT THIS POINT, I WROTE A COMPLAINT LETTER TO MITSUBISHI. AFTER 4 WEEKS, A MITSUBISHI REP CAME TO THE DEALERSHIP TO CHECK THE PROBLEM - ONLY TO CLAIM THERE WAS NOTHING WORNG WITH THE CAR DESPITE OBVIOUS VIBRATION AND BRAKE SQUEELING. SUBSEQUENTLY, A QUICK CHECK BY A THIRD-PARTY MECHANIC REVEALED PROBLEMS WITH THE ROTORS AND CALIPERS.

NHTSA ODI #10088932

100 miles · May 1, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I BOUGHT MY GALANT IN OCTOBER OF 2002, THE FIRST YEAR I HAD THE CAR I HAD TO TAKE IT IN FOR THE BRAKES SQUEAKING AND GRINDING FOUR TIMES. EACH TIME THE DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG, AND SENT ME BACK HOME. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS MY FAULT THAT MY BRAKES WERE BAD BECAUSE OF HOW I DRIVE. I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR A COUPL…

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I BOUGHT MY GALANT IN OCTOBER OF 2002, THE FIRST YEAR I HAD THE CAR I HAD TO TAKE IT IN FOR THE BRAKES SQUEAKING AND GRINDING FOUR TIMES. EACH TIME THE DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG, AND SENT ME BACK HOME. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS MY FAULT THAT MY BRAKES WERE BAD BECAUSE OF HOW I DRIVE. I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR A COUPLE WEEKS WHEN MY BRAKES STARTED SQUEEKING AND GRINDING THE FIRST TIME. I CONTACTED MITSUBISHI, AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE, AND THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS AN UNSAFE CAR FOR MY CHILD TO RIDE IN BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW WHEN MY BRAKES MIGHT FAIL OR REALLY WHAT IS WRONG WITH THEM. MY ENGINE ALSO HAS A BURNING SMELL TO IT ALMOST ALL THE TIME, AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG BY MITSUBISHI. I ALSO HAVE NUMEROUS FRIENDS THAT HAVE GALANTS AND HAVE THE SAME BREAK PROBLEMS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10068148

12,000 miles · Feb 27, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN OUT OF THE REPAIR SHOP REGARDING MY BRAKES. NONE OF THE TECHNICIANS AT OURISMAN MITSUBISHI CAN IDENTIFY WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. UPON THE REQUEST OF THE GM, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THEM TO HAVE IT INSPECTED AGAIN. I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN 2002 AND IN THAT YEAR I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPAR…

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MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN OUT OF THE REPAIR SHOP REGARDING MY BRAKES. NONE OF THE TECHNICIANS AT OURISMAN MITSUBISHI CAN IDENTIFY WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. UPON THE REQUEST OF THE GM, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THEM TO HAVE IT INSPECTED AGAIN. I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN 2002 AND IN THAT YEAR I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO HAVE MY BRAKES WORKED ON. MY BRAKES ARE CONSTANTLY PRODUCING A GRINDING NOISE. THE GRINDING NOISE ALSO MAKES MY VEHICLE VIBRATE WHEN BRAKING. I HAVE FILED SEVERAL CLAIMS REGARDING THE ISSUE WITH BBB AND MISUBISHI HAS NOT YET PERFORMED A THOROUGH INSPECTION ON MY BRAKES, FRONT AND REAR AS PROMISED, TO DETERMINE WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10059954

8,390 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringUnknown Or Other

STEERING-CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT -REMEDY, TECH SAID STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER, ADJUSTED AND CROSS ROTATED FRONT TIRES. BRAKES-GRINDING -REMEDY, TECH SAID CALIPER SUPPORTS WERE FAULTY, REPLACED SUPPORTS AND TURNED ROTORS, THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE ROTORS. OTHER-HOOD WAS NOT SECURE IN HOOD LATCH, BOUNCED UP AND DOWN. -REMEDY, TECH …

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STEERING-CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT -REMEDY, TECH SAID STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER, ADJUSTED AND CROSS ROTATED FRONT TIRES. BRAKES-GRINDING -REMEDY, TECH SAID CALIPER SUPPORTS WERE FAULTY, REPLACED SUPPORTS AND TURNED ROTORS, THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE ROTORS. OTHER-HOOD WAS NOT SECURE IN HOOD LATCH, BOUNCED UP AND DOWN. -REMEDY, TECH SAID HOD LATCH OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, STILL BOUNCED AFTER CAR WAS PICKED UP.

NHTSA ODI #10070122

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKES. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10052668

Official recalls

2

04V428000 · Equipment:other:labels

Sep 1, 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

02V147000 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

May 29, 2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ROUTING OF THE VEHICLE'S FRONT HARNESS CAN ALLOW IT TO COME IN CONTACT WITH A ROUGH EDGE, ALLOWING ABRASION. THIS COULD RESULT IN GROUNDED CIRCUITS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THERE COULD BE A LOSS OF STOP OR TURN SIGNAL LAMP OPERATION OR ENGINE HESITATION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR, ELIMINATING ANY HARNESS CONTACT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA08011 · Passenger Door Fire

Opened Jul 1, 2008 · Closed Aug 21, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers; Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash; Visibility; Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls

IN RESPONSE TO THIS INVESTIGATION, MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA (MMNA) INITIATED A SPECIAL PROGRAM ON JULY 31, 2009, TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2003 GALANT VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SWITCHES TO 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.NOTIFICATION OF THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM TO ALL REGISTERED VEHICLE OWNERS IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN LATE-SEPTEMBER 2009.OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH (BLOWN FUSE, INTERMITTENT OPERATION OR POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTION) OR WHO SPILLED LIQUIDS OR BEVERAGES ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WILL BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED AND ANY RELATED REPAIRS PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE.THE AGENCY IS AWARE OF 35 ALLEGED FRONT PASSENGER DOOR PANEL HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE INCIDENTS, INCLUDING THREE REPORTED MINOR BURNS OR BRUISES.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR FATALITIES.THERE ARE 307 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS OR SHORT CIRCUITS WITHOUT ANY REPORTED HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE.MMNA INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF FIRE-DAMAGED DOOR PANELS/SWITCHES FOUND EVIDENCE OF SPILLED LIQUIDS WITH HIGH SUGAR CONTENT ON THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES.MMNA CLAIMS THE RESIDUE OF THESE LIQUIDS LED TO A SHORTING/SMOKE/ FIRE CONDITION INSIDE THE SWITCH/DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLY.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Additional source detail variants (5)

Electrical System

IN RESPONSE TO THIS INVESTIGATION, MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA (MMNA) INITIATED A SPECIAL PROGRAM ON JULY 31, 2009, TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2003 GALANT VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SWITCHES TO 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.NOTIFICATION OF THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM TO ALL REGISTERED VEHICLE OWNERS IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN LATE-SEPTEMBER 2009.OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH (BLOWN FUSE, INTERMITTENT OPERATION OR POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTION) OR WHO SPILLED LIQUIDS OR BEVERAGES ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WILL BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED AND ANY RELATED REPAIRS PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE.THE AGENCY IS AWARE OF 35 ALLEGED FRONT PASSENGER DOOR PANEL HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE INCIDENTS, INCLUDING THREE REPORTED MINOR BURNS OR BRUISES.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR FATALITIES.THERE ARE 307 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS OR SHORT CIRCUITS WITHOUT ANY REPORTED HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE.MMNA INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF FIRE-DAMAGED DOOR PANELS/SWITCHES FOUND EVIDENCE OF SPILLED LIQUIDS WITH HIGH SUGAR CONTENT ON THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES.MMNA CLAIMS THE RESIDUE OF THESE LIQUIDS LED TO A SHORTING/SMOKE/ FIRE CONDITION INSIDE THE SWITCH/DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLY.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

IN RESPONSE TO THIS INVESTIGATION, MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA (MMNA) INITIATED A SPECIAL PROGRAM ON JULY 31, 2009, TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2003 GALANT VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SWITCHES TO 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.NOTIFICATION OF THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM TO ALL REGISTERED VEHICLE OWNERS IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN LATE-SEPTEMBER 2009.OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH (BLOWN FUSE, INTERMITTENT OPERATION OR POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTION) OR WHO SPILLED LIQUIDS OR BEVERAGES ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WILL BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED AND ANY RELATED REPAIRS PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE.THE AGENCY IS AWARE OF 35 ALLEGED FRONT PASSENGER DOOR PANEL HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE INCIDENTS, INCLUDING THREE REPORTED MINOR BURNS OR BRUISES.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR FATALITIES.THERE ARE 307 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS OR SHORT CIRCUITS WITHOUT ANY REPORTED HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE.MMNA INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF FIRE-DAMAGED DOOR PANELS/SWITCHES FOUND EVIDENCE OF SPILLED LIQUIDS WITH HIGH SUGAR CONTENT ON THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES.MMNA CLAIMS THE RESIDUE OF THESE LIQUIDS LED TO A SHORTING/SMOKE/ FIRE CONDITION INSIDE THE SWITCH/DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLY.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash

IN RESPONSE TO THIS INVESTIGATION, MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA (MMNA) INITIATED A SPECIAL PROGRAM ON JULY 31, 2009, TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2003 GALANT VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SWITCHES TO 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.NOTIFICATION OF THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM TO ALL REGISTERED VEHICLE OWNERS IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN LATE-SEPTEMBER 2009.OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH (BLOWN FUSE, INTERMITTENT OPERATION OR POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTION) OR WHO SPILLED LIQUIDS OR BEVERAGES ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WILL BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED AND ANY RELATED REPAIRS PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE.THE AGENCY IS AWARE OF 35 ALLEGED FRONT PASSENGER DOOR PANEL HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE INCIDENTS, INCLUDING THREE REPORTED MINOR BURNS OR BRUISES.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR FATALITIES.THERE ARE 307 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS OR SHORT CIRCUITS WITHOUT ANY REPORTED HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE.MMNA INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF FIRE-DAMAGED DOOR PANELS/SWITCHES FOUND EVIDENCE OF SPILLED LIQUIDS WITH HIGH SUGAR CONTENT ON THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES.MMNA CLAIMS THE RESIDUE OF THESE LIQUIDS LED TO A SHORTING/SMOKE/ FIRE CONDITION INSIDE THE SWITCH/DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLY.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Visibility

IN RESPONSE TO THIS INVESTIGATION, MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA (MMNA) INITIATED A SPECIAL PROGRAM ON JULY 31, 2009, TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2003 GALANT VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SWITCHES TO 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.NOTIFICATION OF THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM TO ALL REGISTERED VEHICLE OWNERS IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN LATE-SEPTEMBER 2009.OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH (BLOWN FUSE, INTERMITTENT OPERATION OR POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTION) OR WHO SPILLED LIQUIDS OR BEVERAGES ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WILL BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED AND ANY RELATED REPAIRS PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE.THE AGENCY IS AWARE OF 35 ALLEGED FRONT PASSENGER DOOR PANEL HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE INCIDENTS, INCLUDING THREE REPORTED MINOR BURNS OR BRUISES.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR FATALITIES.THERE ARE 307 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS OR SHORT CIRCUITS WITHOUT ANY REPORTED HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE.MMNA INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF FIRE-DAMAGED DOOR PANELS/SWITCHES FOUND EVIDENCE OF SPILLED LIQUIDS WITH HIGH SUGAR CONTENT ON THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES.MMNA CLAIMS THE RESIDUE OF THESE LIQUIDS LED TO A SHORTING/SMOKE/ FIRE CONDITION INSIDE THE SWITCH/DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLY.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls

IN RESPONSE TO THIS INVESTIGATION, MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA (MMNA) INITIATED A SPECIAL PROGRAM ON JULY 31, 2009, TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2003 GALANT VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SWITCHES TO 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.NOTIFICATION OF THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM TO ALL REGISTERED VEHICLE OWNERS IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN LATE-SEPTEMBER 2009.OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH (BLOWN FUSE, INTERMITTENT OPERATION OR POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTION) OR WHO SPILLED LIQUIDS OR BEVERAGES ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WILL BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED AND ANY RELATED REPAIRS PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE.THE AGENCY IS AWARE OF 35 ALLEGED FRONT PASSENGER DOOR PANEL HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE INCIDENTS, INCLUDING THREE REPORTED MINOR BURNS OR BRUISES.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR FATALITIES.THERE ARE 307 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS OR SHORT CIRCUITS WITHOUT ANY REPORTED HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE.MMNA INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF FIRE-DAMAGED DOOR PANELS/SWITCHES FOUND EVIDENCE OF SPILLED LIQUIDS WITH HIGH SUGAR CONTENT ON THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES.MMNA CLAIMS THE RESIDUE OF THESE LIQUIDS LED TO A SHORTING/SMOKE/ FIRE CONDITION INSIDE THE SWITCH/DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLY.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

PE08014 · Passenger Door Fire

Opened Mar 4, 2008 · Closed Jul 1, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical System:wiring; Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash; Visibility; Visibility:glass, Side/rear; Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR.IN MITSUBISHI'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S MARCH 12, 2008 INFORMATION REQUEST, MITSUBISHI ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT MAY OCCUR WHEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF LIQUIDS, MORE THAN 100CC (3.4 OZ), LIKE A SOFT DRINK WERE SPILLED DIRECTLY OVER THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AREA, ALL AT ONCE AND AT ONE TIME.MITSUBISHI FOUND THAT AS THE LIQUID DRIES OFF, ELECTROLYTES AND CARBONIZED PARTICLES ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS IN THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AND BECOME A CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL.AS A RESULT, THE SWITCH MAY START TO HEAT UP AND MELT OR IGNITE THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.HOWEVER, MITSUBISHI ALSO ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY RARE AND THAT BURNING DAMAGE WILL NOT OCCUR UNLESS LIQUIDS ENTER INTO THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH.ODI UPGRADED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA08-011, TO FURTHER EVALUATE THIS ISSUE.

Additional source detail variants (6)

Electrical System

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR.IN MITSUBISHI'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S MARCH 12, 2008 INFORMATION REQUEST, MITSUBISHI ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT MAY OCCUR WHEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF LIQUIDS, MORE THAN 100CC (3.4 OZ), LIKE A SOFT DRINK WERE SPILLED DIRECTLY OVER THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AREA, ALL AT ONCE AND AT ONE TIME.MITSUBISHI FOUND THAT AS THE LIQUID DRIES OFF, ELECTROLYTES AND CARBONIZED PARTICLES ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS IN THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AND BECOME A CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL.AS A RESULT, THE SWITCH MAY START TO HEAT UP AND MELT OR IGNITE THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.HOWEVER, MITSUBISHI ALSO ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY RARE AND THAT BURNING DAMAGE WILL NOT OCCUR UNLESS LIQUIDS ENTER INTO THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH.ODI UPGRADED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA08-011, TO FURTHER EVALUATE THIS ISSUE.

Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR.IN MITSUBISHI'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S MARCH 12, 2008 INFORMATION REQUEST, MITSUBISHI ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT MAY OCCUR WHEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF LIQUIDS, MORE THAN 100CC (3.4 OZ), LIKE A SOFT DRINK WERE SPILLED DIRECTLY OVER THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AREA, ALL AT ONCE AND AT ONE TIME.MITSUBISHI FOUND THAT AS THE LIQUID DRIES OFF, ELECTROLYTES AND CARBONIZED PARTICLES ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS IN THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AND BECOME A CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL.AS A RESULT, THE SWITCH MAY START TO HEAT UP AND MELT OR IGNITE THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.HOWEVER, MITSUBISHI ALSO ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY RARE AND THAT BURNING DAMAGE WILL NOT OCCUR UNLESS LIQUIDS ENTER INTO THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH.ODI UPGRADED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA08-011, TO FURTHER EVALUATE THIS ISSUE.

Electrical System:wiring

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR.IN MITSUBISHI'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S MARCH 12, 2008 INFORMATION REQUEST, MITSUBISHI ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT MAY OCCUR WHEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF LIQUIDS, MORE THAN 100CC (3.4 OZ), LIKE A SOFT DRINK WERE SPILLED DIRECTLY OVER THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AREA, ALL AT ONCE AND AT ONE TIME.MITSUBISHI FOUND THAT AS THE LIQUID DRIES OFF, ELECTROLYTES AND CARBONIZED PARTICLES ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS IN THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AND BECOME A CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL.AS A RESULT, THE SWITCH MAY START TO HEAT UP AND MELT OR IGNITE THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.HOWEVER, MITSUBISHI ALSO ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY RARE AND THAT BURNING DAMAGE WILL NOT OCCUR UNLESS LIQUIDS ENTER INTO THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH.ODI UPGRADED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA08-011, TO FURTHER EVALUATE THIS ISSUE.

Visibility:glass, Side/rear

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR.IN MITSUBISHI'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S MARCH 12, 2008 INFORMATION REQUEST, MITSUBISHI ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT MAY OCCUR WHEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF LIQUIDS, MORE THAN 100CC (3.4 OZ), LIKE A SOFT DRINK WERE SPILLED DIRECTLY OVER THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AREA, ALL AT ONCE AND AT ONE TIME.MITSUBISHI FOUND THAT AS THE LIQUID DRIES OFF, ELECTROLYTES AND CARBONIZED PARTICLES ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS IN THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AND BECOME A CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL.AS A RESULT, THE SWITCH MAY START TO HEAT UP AND MELT OR IGNITE THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.HOWEVER, MITSUBISHI ALSO ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY RARE AND THAT BURNING DAMAGE WILL NOT OCCUR UNLESS LIQUIDS ENTER INTO THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH.ODI UPGRADED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA08-011, TO FURTHER EVALUATE THIS ISSUE.

Visibility

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR.IN MITSUBISHI'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S MARCH 12, 2008 INFORMATION REQUEST, MITSUBISHI ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT MAY OCCUR WHEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF LIQUIDS, MORE THAN 100CC (3.4 OZ), LIKE A SOFT DRINK WERE SPILLED DIRECTLY OVER THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AREA, ALL AT ONCE AND AT ONE TIME.MITSUBISHI FOUND THAT AS THE LIQUID DRIES OFF, ELECTROLYTES AND CARBONIZED PARTICLES ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS IN THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AND BECOME A CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL.AS A RESULT, THE SWITCH MAY START TO HEAT UP AND MELT OR IGNITE THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.HOWEVER, MITSUBISHI ALSO ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY RARE AND THAT BURNING DAMAGE WILL NOT OCCUR UNLESS LIQUIDS ENTER INTO THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH.ODI UPGRADED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA08-011, TO FURTHER EVALUATE THIS ISSUE.

Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR.IN MITSUBISHI'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S MARCH 12, 2008 INFORMATION REQUEST, MITSUBISHI ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT MAY OCCUR WHEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF LIQUIDS, MORE THAN 100CC (3.4 OZ), LIKE A SOFT DRINK WERE SPILLED DIRECTLY OVER THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AREA, ALL AT ONCE AND AT ONE TIME.MITSUBISHI FOUND THAT AS THE LIQUID DRIES OFF, ELECTROLYTES AND CARBONIZED PARTICLES ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS IN THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AND BECOME A CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL.AS A RESULT, THE SWITCH MAY START TO HEAT UP AND MELT OR IGNITE THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.HOWEVER, MITSUBISHI ALSO ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY RARE AND THAT BURNING DAMAGE WILL NOT OCCUR UNLESS LIQUIDS ENTER INTO THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH.ODI UPGRADED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA08-011, TO FURTHER EVALUATE THIS ISSUE.