Lemon Law News – Drive Belt Defect Compels Mitsubishi Recall
Lemon Laws Protect Mitsubishi Consumers
A widespread drive belt defect swept up multiple Mitsubishi models spanning more than 100,000 vehicles, according to a report from the company.
Mitsubishi Motors North America notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Jan. 26, 2018 they will recall 141,053 vehicles including the 2009-2012 Mitsubishi Lancer, 2008-2012 Mitsubishi Outlander, 2010-2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, and 2011-2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The affected vehicles are equipped with the 4B11 or 4B12 engines and were built between March 20, 2008 and Dec. 15, 2011.
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Mitsubishi’s report states the affected vehicles contain drive belt automatic tensioner flanges that can crack, letting the accessory drive detach. If the drive belt detaches, the vehicle’s battery will discharge, causing engine stalls and increasing crash risk.
The manufacturer’s crash report states they first received field reports of broken automatic tensioners in September 2010, causing battery discharge. The company began investigation and by December 2011 determined a recently changed component could fail under repeated high load operations. The company changed the flange’s shape to avoid stress concentration and continued monitoring field data moving forward.
That field data found increasing defect occurrence from December 2015 to January 2018, and Mitsubishi determined a recall was needed on Jan. 19, 2018.
Mitsubishi will notify owners and dealers will replace the belt tensioner with one that has an improved shape, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi’s number for this recall is SR-18-001. Mitsubishi consumers can also visit the NHTSA’s website, and enter their VIN to see if their vehicle is included in any recalls.
The manufacturer of your vehicle is legally compelled to fix any recalled problems for free. If the dealership refuses to fix the part or tries to charge you for the repair, contact the manufacturer immediately. The Highway Safety Act of 1970, which created the NHTSA, requires car manufacturers to pay for the recall and replacement of a defective part.
If the manufacturer fails to repair, replace, repurchase, or provide the loss value of your recalled vehicle, they are violating the warranty and a lawyer may be able to help you. Lemon law attorneys help their clients by dealing directly with the manufacturer on the clients’ behalf, working to promptly resolve the issue and get their clients back on the road. Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, attorneys can seek their fees directly from the manufacturer, meaning a client can obtain legal counsel without having to pay attorneys’ fees directly out of pocket.
Lemon law attorneys help their clients by dealing directly with the manufacturer on the clients’ behalf, working to promptly resolve the issue and get their clients back on the road. Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, attorneys can seek their fees directly from the manufacturer, meaning a client can obtain legal counsel without having to pay attorneys’ fees directly out of pocket.
Think you have a lemon, click here to fill out a 60 second form.
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