Mitsubishi recalls more than 110,000 vehicles over circuit board defect

The recall affects 114,862 Mitsubishi models including approximately 91,000 Colt, Lancer, Evo, Grandis and 380 passenger cars and roughly 23,000 Outlander and Pajero SUVs produced between 2004 and 2008.

Affected by the recall is the DB-series 380 built between 2005 and 2008, 2004-2008 RG Colt, 2004-2008 BA Grandis, 2005-2007 Lancer and Evo, 2005-2007 Outlander, and 2005-2006 Pajero.

The official recall notice published on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission website explains:

“Due to inappropriate structure of the base for the lighting switch platform, a crack may develop in the soldering in the printed circuit board between the base and the platform caused by the repeated heating cycle of expansion and contraction.

“In the worst case scenario, the cracked portion could cause a temporary continuity failure resulting in a situation where the headlamps and/or turn signal lamps turn off, do not turn on or stay on. This may pose an accident hazard to the driver and other road users.”

A company spokesman confirmed Mitsubishi Australia initiated the recall based on a small number of local cases.

Mitsubishi says affected owners will be contacted via mail. The vehicles will be inspected and if required the printed circuit board (for vehicles without headlamp washers) or the light switch (for vehicles with headlamp washers) will be replaced.

The recall will take up to 30 minutes and will be completed at no cost to owners.