Mitsubishi Triton, Challenger recalled for power seat fault

The recall affects 2467 four-wheel-drive double-cab Mitsubishi Tritons built between 2007 and 2013 and 1180 four-wheel-drive Mitsubishi Challengers built between 2010 and 2013 fitted with power front seats.

According to the official recall notice on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) product safety recalls website, after operating the power seats' reclining lever, the lever may stick in the operating position, allowing continuous current flow to the reclining motor.

If the cars’ thermal overload protection circuit fails, the recall notice says the motor, seat cushion and surrounding parts could melt, or in the worst case, burn.

As a precaution prior to rectification, Mitsubishi Australia is asking all affected owners to “please ensure the lever returns to the centre position after use and whenever exiting the vehicle”.

The local division of the Japanese manufacturer says it has contacted all owners of affected vehicles by mail requesting them to contact their nearestauthorised Mitsubishi service dealer to make an appointment to have their vehicle inspected and the potential fault rectified.

Mitsubishi Australia head of corporate communications Shayna Welsh told CarAdvice the inspections should take around 20 minutes, however, if the seat adjuster assembly needs to be replaced, this will take up to two and a half hours.

Welsh said in Australia there have been two reported cases of issues stemming from the problem, but no injuries.

The 4WD double-cab Mitsubishi Triton is powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel available in 100kW/314Nm or 131kW/350Nm guise and starts at $40,990.

Employing the same turbo-diesel powerplant, the 4WD Mitsubishi Challenger starts at $42,490.