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2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 33.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

33 reports with mileage · 21 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports0 fire reports11 injury reports

What owners actually said

54 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

HARD KNOCKING NOISE AND OIL LAMP ON IMMEDIATELY AFTER OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED. CHECKED OIL, DIP STICK SHOWED NO OIL IN ENGINE. TOOK BACK TO MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED AN OIL PUMP PRESSURE TEST, DIAGNOSED WITH NO OIL PRESSURE RECOMMENDED TAKE TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS PROBLEM DUE TO LACK OF OIL CHANGES, HAVE DOCUMENTS PROVING …

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HARD KNOCKING NOISE AND OIL LAMP ON IMMEDIATELY AFTER OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED. CHECKED OIL, DIP STICK SHOWED NO OIL IN ENGINE. TOOK BACK TO MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED AN OIL PUMP PRESSURE TEST, DIAGNOSED WITH NO OIL PRESSURE RECOMMENDED TAKE TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS PROBLEM DUE TO LACK OF OIL CHANGES, HAVE DOCUMENTS PROVING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PERFORMED AS RECOMMENDED. VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH $4000 WORTH OF WORK NEEDED TO REPAIR SLUDGE IN ENGINE THAT IS THE RESULT OF SOMETHING OTHER THAN FAULTY MAINTENANCE. ONLY SOLUTION FROM DEALERSHIP IS TO GET A NEW VEHICLE (FROM THEM OF COURSE). *NM

NHTSA ODI #10139995

697,000 miles · Jun 15, 2005
Visibility

DT: THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM WOULD STICK ON DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD, AND THEN IT WOULD COME BACK. THIS HAPPENED 5 OR 6 TIMES, THEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM GOT STUCK OVER THE WINDSHIELD MOLDING. WHEN THE CONSUMER GOT OUT OF VEHICLE TO ADJUST THE PROBLEM HE NOTICED IT WAS LOOSE FROM THE BOLT MOUNT. CONSUMER THEN DROV…

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DT: THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM WOULD STICK ON DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD, AND THEN IT WOULD COME BACK. THIS HAPPENED 5 OR 6 TIMES, THEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM GOT STUCK OVER THE WINDSHIELD MOLDING. WHEN THE CONSUMER GOT OUT OF VEHICLE TO ADJUST THE PROBLEM HE NOTICED IT WAS LOOSE FROM THE BOLT MOUNT. CONSUMER THEN DROVE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY TOOK THE WIPER OFF, AND FOUND THAT THE WIPER HAD TORN LOOSE OF THE SHEET METAL MOUNTING.*AK THIS FAILURE OCCURED WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND CAUSED COMPLETE LOSS OF VISIBILITY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10125393

47,000 miles · Jan 18, 2005
Seat Belts

ONE DAY SEAT BELT LIGHT STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHEN SEAT BELT NOT SECURED. WORKS WHEN CAR IS STARTED, FLASHES AS NORMAL, BUT WHEN YOU UNDO THE BELT, YOU GET NO WARNING LIGHT ON DASH. TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO KEPT TRUCK FOR TWO DAYS ONLY TO CALL ME BACK AND ADVISE FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. CALLED MITSUBISHI WHO TELL ME THAT IT IS S…

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ONE DAY SEAT BELT LIGHT STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHEN SEAT BELT NOT SECURED. WORKS WHEN CAR IS STARTED, FLASHES AS NORMAL, BUT WHEN YOU UNDO THE BELT, YOU GET NO WARNING LIGHT ON DASH. TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO KEPT TRUCK FOR TWO DAYS ONLY TO CALL ME BACK AND ADVISE FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. CALLED MITSUBISHI WHO TELL ME THAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ON WHEN SEAT BELT IS NOT FASTENED -- WELL THANKS.. THAT'S GREAT... BUT HOW DO I GET A DEALERSHIP TO FIX SOMETHING THEY CLAIM IS NOT WRONG? I SHOWED SERVICE MANAGER MANUAL AND WAS TOLD THAT THE MANUAL IS WRONG. SERVICE MANAGER CLAIMS THEY CALLED MITSUBISHI AND HAVE BEEN ADVISED IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. I CALLED AGAIN TO MITSUBISHI WHO ADVISED AGAIN I AM CORRECT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10106535

15,000 miles · Aug 24, 2004
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING WITH VEHICLE IS AT FULL CAPACITY IT SHUTTERS. TRANSMISSION VIBRATES, AND THEN TAKE OFF, IS VERY SLUGGISH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN REPAIR SHOP FOUR TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10089597

33,000 miles · Aug 5, 2004
Parking Brake

AT ALL TIMES EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON. THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT ALTHOUGH THE LIGHT IS ON EMERGENCY BRAKES ARE WORKING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10087255

Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2004
Power Train

SAME PROBLEM AS WITH THE COMPLAINT LISTED BELOW. I BLAMED MY MECHANIC AND NEARLY SUED HIM FOR FAILURE TO PROPERLY MAINTAIN MY SUV. RESEARCH HAS PROVEN THIS TO BE NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI CASE NUMBER: 10054255 COMPONENT: POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL DETAILS: DEALERSHIP SAID THERE I…

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SAME PROBLEM AS WITH THE COMPLAINT LISTED BELOW. I BLAMED MY MECHANIC AND NEARLY SUED HIM FOR FAILURE TO PROPERLY MAINTAIN MY SUV. RESEARCH HAS PROVEN THIS TO BE NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI CASE NUMBER: 10054255 COMPONENT: POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL DETAILS: DEALERSHIP SAID THERE IS SLUDGE IN ENGINE DUE TO "LACK OF PROPER MAINTENANCE". WE'VE HAD THE OIL CHANGED ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL BUT BELIEVE THAT THE OIL PAN IS POSITIONED WRONG AS THE DEALERSHIPS TOLD US THAT ABOUT 1/4 INCH TO 1/2 INCH IS ALWAYS LEFT IN THE BOTTOM OF THE OIL PAN WHEN YOU CHANGE THE OIL, THEREFORE CREATING SLUDGE. THE OIL PUMP HAS ALSO GONE BAD ON THIS 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT, WITH 62,000 MILES. NO ONE WILL PICK UP THE BILL, EVEN THOUGH WE PAID FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. WE'VE ALSO PUT THREE ALTERNATORS ON IT IN ONE MONTH AND HAD THE CAM SEALS REPLACED. CAM SEALS ALSO SEEM TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THOSE CARS, ACCORDING TO ONE TECHNICIAN. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN GOING ON SINCE NOVEMBER 2003. CB CAUSE: RESULT: OCCURENCES: 3INJURIES: 0 FAIL DATE: 01/02/2004DEATHS: 0 MCS CHECK DATE: 1/21/2004. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10078331

17,000 miles · May 21, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

+BRAKE PADS MUST BE CHANGED BECAUSE OF PREMATURE WEAR. MILEAGE: 17,000.IF THE TRUCK IS STOPPED, AND YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATOR, YOU FEEL LIKE IT WOULD STALL, BUT IT KEEPS GOING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10072955

56,000 miles · Jan 16, 2004
Electrical SystemPower Train

DEALERSHIP SAID THERE IS SLUDGE IN ENGINE DUE TO "LACK OF PROPER MAINTENANCE". WE'VE HAD THE OIL CHANGED ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL BUT BELIEVE THAT THE OIL PAN IS POSITIONED WRONG AS THE DEALERSHIPS TOLD US THAT ABOUT 1/4 INCH TO 1/2 INCH IS ALWAYS LEFT IN THE BOTTOM OF THE OIL PAN WHEN YOU CHANGE THE OIL, THEREFORE CREATING SLUD…

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DEALERSHIP SAID THERE IS SLUDGE IN ENGINE DUE TO "LACK OF PROPER MAINTENANCE". WE'VE HAD THE OIL CHANGED ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL BUT BELIEVE THAT THE OIL PAN IS POSITIONED WRONG AS THE DEALERSHIPS TOLD US THAT ABOUT 1/4 INCH TO 1/2 INCH IS ALWAYS LEFT IN THE BOTTOM OF THE OIL PAN WHEN YOU CHANGE THE OIL, THEREFORE CREATING SLUDGE. THE OIL PUMP HAS ALSO GONE BAD ON THIS 2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT, WITH 62,000 MILES. NO ONE WILL PICK UP THE BILL, EVEN THOUGH WE PAID FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. WE'VE ALSO PUT THREE ALTERNATORS ON IT IN ONE MONTH AND HAD THE CAM SEALS REPLACED. CAM SEALS ALSO SEEM TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THOSE CARS, ACCORDING TO ONE TECHNICIAN. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN GOING ON SINCE NOVEMBER 2003. CB

NHTSA ODI #10054255

Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2003
Power Train

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN THE TRUCK FAILED TO RESPOND. THE DEALER SERVICED THE TRANSFER CASE BOX. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10052101

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE LOSING POWER AND CUTTING OFF.*MR VEHICLE RUNS ROUGH WHEN DRIVING UPHILL. VEHICLE STALLED. *TS

NHTSA ODI #10046283

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

1

RQ06007 · Brake Booster Accumulator Failure

Opened May 24, 2006 · Closed Oct 12, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

IN OCTOBER 2001, MITSUBISHI NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 01V-254) TO REMEDY A DEFECT CONDITION THAT COULD RESULT IN A LEAK OF PRESSURIZED NITROGEN GAS FROM THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR IN APPROXIMATELY 39,000 MODEL YEARS (MY) 2001-2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 12, 1999 THROUGH JUNE 20, 2001. ACCORDING TO MITSUBISHI, THE ACCUMULATOR THAT IS INSTALLED ON THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED IMPROPERLY, WHICH OVER A PERIOD OF TIME MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE PRESSURIZED NITROGEN GAS FROM INSIDE THE ACCUMULATOR. THE LOSS OF THIS GAS PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH PANEL WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, AND POSSIBLY A DELAYED FIRST TIME BRAKE BOOST ASSIST AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.DURING RQ06-007, MITSUBISHI INDICATED THAT THE DECISION TO CONDUCT RECALL 01V-254 WAS BASED ON PROJECTED FAILURE RATES OF 36.5% WITHIN 2-YEARS OF SERVICE AND 100% IN THE FIRST 4-YEARS OF SERVICE. THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED RQ06-007 BASED ON SIX COMPLAINTS OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR FAILURE IN THE APPROXIMATELY 23,335 MY 2002 MONTERO VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT AFTER THE VEHICLES RECALLED IN 01V-254.ONE OF THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGED THAT THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A CRASH.DURING THE INVESTIGATION, ODI IDENTIFIED 20 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 58 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, RESULTING IN A COMPLAINT RATE OF APPROXIMATELY 85 PER 100,000 VEHICLES AND A WARRANTY CLAIM RATE OF 0.25%.MITSUBISHI?S PROJECTED ACCUMULATOR FAILURE RATES AT 2- AND 4-YEARS IN SERVICE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE 0.5% AND 1.3% RESPECTIVELY AND ODI?S ANALYSES PRODUCED SIMILAR RESULTS.ODI?S INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT THE INCIDENTS OF INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TYPICALLY OCCURRED WITHIN THE FIRST FEW SECONDS AFTER THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND WERE ACCOMPANIED BY NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCUMULATOR CHARGING.ODI?S INVESTIGATION OF THE CRASH INCIDENT CONCLUDED THAT IT COULD NOT BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT CONDITION.ODI ALSO COLLECTED AND ANALYZED DATA FOR POST-REMEDY ACCUMULATOR FAILURES IN VEHICLES THAT HAD THE 01V-254 REPAIRS COMPLETED.MITSUBISHI PROVIDED DATA DURING THE INVESTIGATION THAT INDICATED 95% OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES HAD RECEIVED THE RECALL REMEDY.FOR THESE VEHICLES, THERE WERE 14 COMPLAINTS AND 249 WARRANTY CLAIMS IDENTIFIED, RESULTING IN A COMPLAINT RATE OF 28 PER 100,000 VEHICLES AND A WARRANTY CLAIM RATE OF 0.64%.ANALYSIS OF THESE FAILURES SHOWED A DECLINING TREND WITH INCREASING VEHICLE AGE, WITH ALMOST HALF OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS OCCURRING WITHIN THE FIRST 12-MONTHS AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL REMEDY. DUE TO THE LOW FAILURE RATES, ABSENCE OF RELATED CRASHES, AND NO INDICATION OF INCREASING FAILURE TRENDS IN EITHER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES OR POST-REPAIR RECALL POPULATION 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 COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.

Additional source detail variants (7)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid

IN OCTOBER 2001, MITSUBISHI NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 01V-254) TO REMEDY A DEFECT CONDITION THAT COULD RESULT IN A LEAK OF PRESSURIZED NITROGEN GAS FROM THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR IN APPROXIMATELY 39,000 MODEL YEARS (MY) 2001-2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 12, 1999 THROUGH JUNE 20, 2001. ACCORDING TO MITSUBISHI, THE ACCUMULATOR THAT IS INSTALLED ON THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED IMPROPERLY, WHICH OVER A PERIOD OF TIME MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE PRESSURIZED NITROGEN GAS FROM INSIDE THE ACCUMULATOR. THE LOSS OF THIS GAS PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH PANEL WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, AND POSSIBLY A DELAYED FIRST TIME BRAKE BOOST ASSIST AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.DURING RQ06-007, MITSUBISHI INDICATED THAT THE DECISION TO CONDUCT RECALL 01V-254 WAS BASED ON PROJECTED FAILURE RATES OF 36.5% WITHIN 2-YEARS OF SERVICE AND 100% IN THE FIRST 4-YEARS OF SERVICE. THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED RQ06-007 BASED ON SIX COMPLAINTS OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR FAILURE IN THE APPROXIMATELY 23,335 MY 2002 MONTERO VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT AFTER THE VEHICLES RECALLED IN 01V-254.ONE OF THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGED THAT THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A CRASH.DURING THE INVESTIGATION, ODI IDENTIFIED 20 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 58 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, RESULTING IN A COMPLAINT RATE OF APPROXIMATELY 85 PER 100,000 VEHICLES AND A WARRANTY CLAIM RATE OF 0.25%.MITSUBISHI?S PROJECTED ACCUMULATOR FAILURE RATES AT 2- AND 4-YEARS IN SERVICE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE 0.5% AND 1.3% RESPECTIVELY AND ODI?S ANALYSES PRODUCED SIMILAR RESULTS.ODI?S INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT THE INCIDENTS OF INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TYPICALLY OCCURRED WITHIN THE FIRST FEW SECONDS AFTER THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND WERE ACCOMPANIED BY NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCUMULATOR CHARGING.ODI?S INVESTIGATION OF THE CRASH INCIDENT CONCLUDED THAT IT COULD NOT BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT CONDITION.ODI ALSO COLLECTED AND ANALYZED DATA FOR POST-REMEDY ACCUMULATOR FAILURES IN VEHICLES THAT HAD THE 01V-254 REPAIRS COMPLETED.MITSUBISHI PROVIDED DATA DURING THE INVESTIGATION THAT INDICATED 95% OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES HAD RECEIVED THE RECALL REMEDY.FOR THESE VEHICLES, THERE WERE 14 COMPLAINTS AND 249 WARRANTY CLAIMS IDENTIFIED, RESULTING IN A COMPLAINT RATE OF 28 PER 100,000 VEHICLES AND A WARRANTY CLAIM RATE OF 0.64%.ANALYSIS OF THESE FAILURES SHOWED A DECLINING TREND WITH INCREASING VEHICLE AGE, WITH ALMOST HALF OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS OCCURRING WITHIN THE FIRST 12-MONTHS AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL REMEDY. DUE TO THE LOW FAILURE RATES, ABSENCE OF RELATED CRASHES, AND NO INDICATION OF INCREASING FAILURE TRENDS IN EITHER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES OR POST-REPAIR RECALL POPULATION 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 COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

IN OCTOBER 2001, MITSUBISHI NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 01V-254) TO REMEDY A DEFECT CONDITION THAT COULD RESULT IN A LEAK OF PRESSURIZED NITROGEN GAS FROM THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR IN APPROXIMATELY 39,000 MODEL YEARS (MY) 2001-2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 12, 1999 THROUGH JUNE 20, 2001. ACCORDING TO MITSUBISHI, THE ACCUMULATOR THAT IS INSTALLED ON THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED IMPROPERLY, WHICH OVER A PERIOD OF TIME MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE PRESSURIZED NITROGEN GAS FROM INSIDE THE ACCUMULATOR. THE LOSS OF THIS GAS PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH PANEL WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, AND POSSIBLY A DELAYED FIRST TIME BRAKE BOOST ASSIST AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.DURING RQ06-007, MITSUBISHI INDICATED THAT THE DECISION TO CONDUCT RECALL 01V-254 WAS BASED ON PROJECTED FAILURE RATES OF 36.5% WITHIN 2-YEARS OF SERVICE AND 100% IN THE FIRST 4-YEARS OF SERVICE. THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED RQ06-007 BASED ON SIX COMPLAINTS OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR FAILURE IN THE APPROXIMATELY 23,335 MY 2002 MONTERO VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT AFTER THE VEHICLES RECALLED IN 01V-254.ONE OF THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGED THAT THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A CRASH.DURING THE INVESTIGATION, ODI IDENTIFIED 20 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 58 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, RESULTING IN A COMPLAINT RATE OF APPROXIMATELY 85 PER 100,000 VEHICLES AND A WARRANTY CLAIM RATE OF 0.25%.MITSUBISHI?S PROJECTED ACCUMULATOR FAILURE RATES AT 2- AND 4-YEARS IN SERVICE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE 0.5% AND 1.3% RESPECTIVELY AND ODI?S ANALYSES PRODUCED SIMILAR RESULTS.ODI?S INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT THE INCIDENTS OF INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TYPICALLY OCCURRED WITHIN THE FIRST FEW SECONDS AFTER THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND WERE ACCOMPANIED BY NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCUMULATOR CHARGING.ODI?S INVESTIGATION OF THE CRASH INCIDENT CONCLUDED THAT IT COULD NOT BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT CONDITION.ODI ALSO COLLECTED AND ANALYZED DATA FOR POST-REMEDY ACCUMULATOR FAILURES IN VEHICLES THAT HAD THE 01V-254 REPAIRS COMPLETED.MITSUBISHI PROVIDED DATA DURING THE INVESTIGATION THAT INDICATED 95% OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES HAD RECEIVED THE RECALL REMEDY.FOR THESE VEHICLES, THERE WERE 14 COMPLAINTS AND 249 WARRANTY CLAIMS IDENTIFIED, RESULTING IN A COMPLAINT RATE OF 28 PER 100,000 VEHICLES AND A WARRANTY CLAIM RATE OF 0.64%.ANALYSIS OF THESE FAILURES SHOWED A DECLINING TREND WITH INCREASING VEHICLE AGE, WITH ALMOST HALF OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS OCCURRING WITHIN THE FIRST 12-MONTHS AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL REMEDY. DUE TO THE LOW FAILURE RATES, ABSENCE OF RELATED CRASHES, AND NO INDICATION OF INCREASING FAILURE TRENDS IN EITHER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES OR POST-REPAIR RECALL POPULATION 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 COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

IN OCTOBER 2001, MITSUBISHI NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 01V-254) TO REMEDY A DEFECT CONDITION THAT COULD RESULT IN A LEAK OF PRESSURIZED NITROGEN GAS FROM THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR IN APPROXIMATELY 39,000 MODEL YEARS (MY) 2001-2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 12, 1999 THROUGH JUNE 20, 2001. ACCORDING TO MITSUBISHI, THE ACCUMULATOR THAT IS INSTALLED ON THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED IMPROPERLY, WHICH OVER A PERIOD OF TIME MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE PRESSURIZED NITROGEN GAS FROM INSIDE THE ACCUMULATOR. THE LOSS OF THIS GAS PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH PANEL WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, AND POSSIBLY A DELAYED FIRST TIME BRAKE BOOST ASSIST AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.DURING RQ06-007, MITSUBISHI INDICATED THAT THE DECISION TO CONDUCT RECALL 01V-254 WAS BASED ON PROJECTED FAILURE RATES OF 36.5% WITHIN 2-YEARS OF SERVICE AND 100% IN THE FIRST 4-YEARS OF SERVICE. THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED RQ06-007 BASED ON SIX COMPLAINTS OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR FAILURE IN THE APPROXIMATELY 23,335 MY 2002 MONTERO VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT AFTER THE VEHICLES RECALLED IN 01V-254.ONE OF THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGED THAT THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A CRASH.DURING THE INVESTIGATION, ODI IDENTIFIED 20 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 58 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, RESULTING IN A COMPLAINT RATE OF APPROXIMATELY 85 PER 100,000 VEHICLES AND A WARRANTY CLAIM RATE OF 0.25%.MITSUBISHI?S PROJECTED ACCUMULATOR FAILURE RATES AT 2- AND 4-YEARS IN SERVICE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE 0.5% AND 1.3% RESPECTIVELY AND ODI?S ANALYSES PRODUCED SIMILAR RESULTS.ODI?S INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT THE INCIDENTS OF INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TYPICALLY OCCURRED WITHIN THE FIRST FEW SECONDS AFTER THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND WERE ACCOMPANIED BY NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCUMULATOR CHARGING.ODI?S INVESTIGATION OF THE CRASH INCIDENT CONCLUDED THAT IT COULD NOT BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT CONDITION.ODI ALSO COLLECTED AND ANALYZED DATA FOR POST-REMEDY ACCUMULATOR FAILURES IN VEHICLES THAT HAD THE 01V-254 REPAIRS COMPLETED.MITSUBISHI PROVIDED DATA DURING THE INVESTIGATION THAT INDICATED 95% OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES HAD RECEIVED THE RECALL REMEDY.FOR THESE VEHICLES, THERE WERE 14 COMPLAINTS AND 249 WARRANTY CLAIMS IDENTIFIED, RESULTING IN A COMPLAINT RATE OF 28 PER 100,000 VEHICLES AND A WARRANTY CLAIM RATE OF 0.64%.ANALYSIS OF THESE FAILURES SHOWED A DECLINING TREND WITH INCREASING VEHICLE AGE, WITH ALMOST HALF OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS OCCURRING WITHIN THE FIRST 12-MONTHS AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL REMEDY. DUE TO THE LOW FAILURE RATES, ABSENCE OF RELATED CRASHES, AND NO INDICATION OF INCREASING FAILURE TRENDS IN EITHER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES OR POST-REPAIR RECALL POPULATION 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 COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic

IN OCTOBER 2001, MITSUBISHI NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 01V-254) TO REMEDY A DEFECT CONDITION THAT COULD RESULT IN A LEAK OF PRESSURIZED NITROGEN GAS FROM THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR IN APPROXIMATELY 39,000 MODEL YEARS (MY) 2001-2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 12, 1999 THROUGH JUNE 20, 2001. ACCORDING TO MITSUBISHI, THE ACCUMULATOR THAT IS INSTALLED ON THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED IMPROPERLY, WHICH OVER A PERIOD OF TIME MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE PRESSURIZED NITROGEN GAS FROM INSIDE THE ACCUMULATOR. THE LOSS OF THIS GAS PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH PANEL WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, AND POSSIBLY A DELAYED FIRST TIME BRAKE BOOST ASSIST AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.DURING RQ06-007, MITSUBISHI INDICATED THAT THE DECISION TO CONDUCT RECALL 01V-254 WAS BASED ON PROJECTED FAILURE RATES OF 36.5% WITHIN 2-YEARS OF SERVICE AND 100% IN THE FIRST 4-YEARS OF SERVICE. THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED RQ06-007 BASED ON SIX COMPLAINTS OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR FAILURE IN THE APPROXIMATELY 23,335 MY 2002 MONTERO VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT AFTER THE VEHICLES RECALLED IN 01V-254.ONE OF THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGED THAT THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A CRASH.DURING THE INVESTIGATION, ODI IDENTIFIED 20 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 58 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, RESULTING IN A COMPLAINT RATE OF APPROXIMATELY 85 PER 100,000 VEHICLES AND A WARRANTY CLAIM RATE OF 0.25%.MITSUBISHI?S PROJECTED ACCUMULATOR FAILURE RATES AT 2- AND 4-YEARS IN SERVICE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE 0.5% AND 1.3% RESPECTIVELY AND ODI?S ANALYSES PRODUCED SIMILAR RESULTS.ODI?S INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT THE INCIDENTS OF INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TYPICALLY OCCURRED WITHIN THE FIRST FEW SECONDS AFTER THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND WERE ACCOMPANIED BY NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCUMULATOR CHARGING.ODI?S INVESTIGATION OF THE CRASH INCIDENT CONCLUDED THAT IT COULD NOT BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT CONDITION.ODI ALSO COLLECTED AND ANALYZED DATA FOR POST-REMEDY ACCUMULATOR FAILURES IN VEHICLES THAT HAD THE 01V-254 REPAIRS COMPLETED.MITSUBISHI PROVIDED DATA DURING THE INVESTIGATION THAT INDICATED 95% OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES HAD RECEIVED THE RECALL REMEDY.FOR THESE VEHICLES, THERE WERE 14 COMPLAINTS AND 249 WARRANTY CLAIMS IDENTIFIED, RESULTING IN A COMPLAINT RATE OF 28 PER 100,000 VEHICLES AND A WARRANTY CLAIM RATE OF 0.64%.ANALYSIS OF THESE FAILURES SHOWED A DECLINING TREND WITH INCREASING VEHICLE AGE, WITH ALMOST HALF OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS OCCURRING WITHIN THE FIRST 12-MONTHS AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL REMEDY. DUE TO THE LOW FAILURE RATES, ABSENCE OF RELATED CRASHES, AND NO INDICATION OF INCREASING FAILURE TRENDS IN EITHER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES OR POST-REPAIR RECALL POPULATION 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 COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

IN OCTOBER 2001, MITSUBISHI NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 01V-254) TO REMEDY A DEFECT CONDITION THAT COULD RESULT IN A LEAK OF PRESSURIZED NITROGEN GAS FROM THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR IN APPROXIMATELY 39,000 MODEL YEARS (MY) 2001-2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 12, 1999 THROUGH JUNE 20, 2001. ACCORDING TO MITSUBISHI, THE ACCUMULATOR THAT IS INSTALLED ON THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED IMPROPERLY, WHICH OVER A PERIOD OF TIME MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE PRESSURIZED NITROGEN GAS FROM INSIDE THE ACCUMULATOR. THE LOSS OF THIS GAS PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH PANEL WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, AND POSSIBLY A DELAYED FIRST TIME BRAKE BOOST ASSIST AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.DURING RQ06-007, MITSUBISHI INDICATED THAT THE DECISION TO CONDUCT RECALL 01V-254 WAS BASED ON PROJECTED FAILURE RATES OF 36.5% WITHIN 2-YEARS OF SERVICE AND 100% IN THE FIRST 4-YEARS OF SERVICE. THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED RQ06-007 BASED ON SIX COMPLAINTS OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR FAILURE IN THE APPROXIMATELY 23,335 MY 2002 MONTERO VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT AFTER THE VEHICLES RECALLED IN 01V-254.ONE OF THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGED THAT THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A CRASH.DURING THE INVESTIGATION, ODI IDENTIFIED 20 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 58 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, RESULTING IN A COMPLAINT RATE OF APPROXIMATELY 85 PER 100,000 VEHICLES AND A WARRANTY CLAIM RATE OF 0.25%.MITSUBISHI?S PROJECTED ACCUMULATOR FAILURE RATES AT 2- AND 4-YEARS IN SERVICE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE 0.5% AND 1.3% RESPECTIVELY AND ODI?S ANALYSES PRODUCED SIMILAR RESULTS.ODI?S INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT THE INCIDENTS OF INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TYPICALLY OCCURRED WITHIN THE FIRST FEW SECONDS AFTER THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND WERE ACCOMPANIED BY NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCUMULATOR CHARGING.ODI?S INVESTIGATION OF THE CRASH INCIDENT CONCLUDED THAT IT COULD NOT BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT CONDITION.ODI ALSO COLLECTED AND ANALYZED DATA FOR POST-REMEDY ACCUMULATOR FAILURES IN VEHICLES THAT HAD THE 01V-254 REPAIRS COMPLETED.MITSUBISHI PROVIDED DATA DURING THE INVESTIGATION THAT INDICATED 95% OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES HAD RECEIVED THE RECALL REMEDY.FOR THESE VEHICLES, THERE WERE 14 COMPLAINTS AND 249 WARRANTY CLAIMS IDENTIFIED, RESULTING IN A COMPLAINT RATE OF 28 PER 100,000 VEHICLES AND A WARRANTY CLAIM RATE OF 0.64%.ANALYSIS OF THESE FAILURES SHOWED A DECLINING TREND WITH INCREASING VEHICLE AGE, WITH ALMOST HALF OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS OCCURRING WITHIN THE FIRST 12-MONTHS AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL REMEDY. DUE TO THE LOW FAILURE RATES, ABSENCE OF RELATED CRASHES, AND NO INDICATION OF INCREASING FAILURE TRENDS IN EITHER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES OR POST-REPAIR RECALL POPULATION 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 COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

IN OCTOBER 2001, MITSUBISHI NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 01V-254) TO REMEDY A DEFECT CONDITION THAT COULD RESULT IN A LEAK OF PRESSURIZED NITROGEN GAS FROM THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR IN APPROXIMATELY 39,000 MODEL YEARS (MY) 2001-2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 12, 1999 THROUGH JUNE 20, 2001. ACCORDING TO MITSUBISHI, THE ACCUMULATOR THAT IS INSTALLED ON THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED IMPROPERLY, WHICH OVER A PERIOD OF TIME MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE PRESSURIZED NITROGEN GAS FROM INSIDE THE ACCUMULATOR. THE LOSS OF THIS GAS PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH PANEL WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, AND POSSIBLY A DELAYED FIRST TIME BRAKE BOOST ASSIST AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.DURING RQ06-007, MITSUBISHI INDICATED THAT THE DECISION TO CONDUCT RECALL 01V-254 WAS BASED ON PROJECTED FAILURE RATES OF 36.5% WITHIN 2-YEARS OF SERVICE AND 100% IN THE FIRST 4-YEARS OF SERVICE. THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED RQ06-007 BASED ON SIX COMPLAINTS OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR FAILURE IN THE APPROXIMATELY 23,335 MY 2002 MONTERO VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT AFTER THE VEHICLES RECALLED IN 01V-254.ONE OF THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGED THAT THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A CRASH.DURING THE INVESTIGATION, ODI IDENTIFIED 20 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 58 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, RESULTING IN A COMPLAINT RATE OF APPROXIMATELY 85 PER 100,000 VEHICLES AND A WARRANTY CLAIM RATE OF 0.25%.MITSUBISHI?S PROJECTED ACCUMULATOR FAILURE RATES AT 2- AND 4-YEARS IN SERVICE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE 0.5% AND 1.3% RESPECTIVELY AND ODI?S ANALYSES PRODUCED SIMILAR RESULTS.ODI?S INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT THE INCIDENTS OF INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TYPICALLY OCCURRED WITHIN THE FIRST FEW SECONDS AFTER THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND WERE ACCOMPANIED BY NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCUMULATOR CHARGING.ODI?S INVESTIGATION OF THE CRASH INCIDENT CONCLUDED THAT IT COULD NOT BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT CONDITION.ODI ALSO COLLECTED AND ANALYZED DATA FOR POST-REMEDY ACCUMULATOR FAILURES IN VEHICLES THAT HAD THE 01V-254 REPAIRS COMPLETED.MITSUBISHI PROVIDED DATA DURING THE INVESTIGATION THAT INDICATED 95% OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES HAD RECEIVED THE RECALL REMEDY.FOR THESE VEHICLES, THERE WERE 14 COMPLAINTS AND 249 WARRANTY CLAIMS IDENTIFIED, RESULTING IN A COMPLAINT RATE OF 28 PER 100,000 VEHICLES AND A WARRANTY CLAIM RATE OF 0.64%.ANALYSIS OF THESE FAILURES SHOWED A DECLINING TREND WITH INCREASING VEHICLE AGE, WITH ALMOST HALF OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS OCCURRING WITHIN THE FIRST 12-MONTHS AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL REMEDY. DUE TO THE LOW FAILURE RATES, ABSENCE OF RELATED CRASHES, AND NO INDICATION OF INCREASING FAILURE TRENDS IN EITHER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES OR POST-REPAIR RECALL POPULATION 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 COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

IN OCTOBER 2001, MITSUBISHI NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 01V-254) TO REMEDY A DEFECT CONDITION THAT COULD RESULT IN A LEAK OF PRESSURIZED NITROGEN GAS FROM THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR IN APPROXIMATELY 39,000 MODEL YEARS (MY) 2001-2002 MITSUBISHI MONTERO VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 12, 1999 THROUGH JUNE 20, 2001. ACCORDING TO MITSUBISHI, THE ACCUMULATOR THAT IS INSTALLED ON THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED IMPROPERLY, WHICH OVER A PERIOD OF TIME MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE PRESSURIZED NITROGEN GAS FROM INSIDE THE ACCUMULATOR. THE LOSS OF THIS GAS PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH PANEL WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, AND POSSIBLY A DELAYED FIRST TIME BRAKE BOOST ASSIST AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.DURING RQ06-007, MITSUBISHI INDICATED THAT THE DECISION TO CONDUCT RECALL 01V-254 WAS BASED ON PROJECTED FAILURE RATES OF 36.5% WITHIN 2-YEARS OF SERVICE AND 100% IN THE FIRST 4-YEARS OF SERVICE. THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED RQ06-007 BASED ON SIX COMPLAINTS OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR FAILURE IN THE APPROXIMATELY 23,335 MY 2002 MONTERO VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT AFTER THE VEHICLES RECALLED IN 01V-254.ONE OF THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGED THAT THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A CRASH.DURING THE INVESTIGATION, ODI IDENTIFIED 20 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 58 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, RESULTING IN A COMPLAINT RATE OF APPROXIMATELY 85 PER 100,000 VEHICLES AND A WARRANTY CLAIM RATE OF 0.25%.MITSUBISHI?S PROJECTED ACCUMULATOR FAILURE RATES AT 2- AND 4-YEARS IN SERVICE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE 0.5% AND 1.3% RESPECTIVELY AND ODI?S ANALYSES PRODUCED SIMILAR RESULTS.ODI?S INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT THE INCIDENTS OF INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TYPICALLY OCCURRED WITHIN THE FIRST FEW SECONDS AFTER THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND WERE ACCOMPANIED BY NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCUMULATOR CHARGING.ODI?S INVESTIGATION OF THE CRASH INCIDENT CONCLUDED THAT IT COULD NOT BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT CONDITION.ODI ALSO COLLECTED AND ANALYZED DATA FOR POST-REMEDY ACCUMULATOR FAILURES IN VEHICLES THAT HAD THE 01V-254 REPAIRS COMPLETED.MITSUBISHI PROVIDED DATA DURING THE INVESTIGATION THAT INDICATED 95% OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES HAD RECEIVED THE RECALL REMEDY.FOR THESE VEHICLES, THERE WERE 14 COMPLAINTS AND 249 WARRANTY CLAIMS IDENTIFIED, RESULTING IN A COMPLAINT RATE OF 28 PER 100,000 VEHICLES AND A WARRANTY CLAIM RATE OF 0.64%.ANALYSIS OF THESE FAILURES SHOWED A DECLINING TREND WITH INCREASING VEHICLE AGE, WITH ALMOST HALF OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS OCCURRING WITHIN THE FIRST 12-MONTHS AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL REMEDY. DUE TO THE LOW FAILURE RATES, ABSENCE OF RELATED CRASHES, AND NO INDICATION OF INCREASING FAILURE TRENDS IN EITHER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES OR POST-REPAIR RECALL POPULATION 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 COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.