Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | |||||
| 0513006 | 04/01/2005 | 10016133 | Alternator fr terminal voltage - service manual revision. *tt | 08/31/2005 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER | |||||
| 0354007 | 06/01/2003 | 10002027 | Immobilizer system information update (2003 models). *tt | 08/11/2003 | |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | ||||||
| PE08014 | MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC. | 03/04/2008 | 07/01/2008 | PASSENGER DOOR FIRE | ||
| 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. | ||||||
| EA08011 | MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC. | 07/01/2008 | 08/21/2009 | PASSENGER DOOR FIRE | ||
| 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 - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | ||||||
| EA08011 | MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC. | 07/01/2008 | 08/21/2009 | PASSENGER DOOR FIRE | ||
| 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 | ||||||
| PE08014 | MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC. | 03/04/2008 | 07/01/2008 | PASSENGER DOOR FIRE | ||
| 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 | ||||||
| PE08014 | MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC. | 03/04/2008 | 07/01/2008 | PASSENGER DOOR FIRE | ||
| 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. | ||||||
| EA08011 | MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC. | 07/01/2008 | 08/21/2009 | PASSENGER DOOR FIRE | ||
| 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. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 10/01/2011 | |||
| Turned heat on and heard a ratteling noise under dash, when heat came on noise stopped. turned heat on a week later, nothing, only cold air. independent mechanic says heater core, after replacing thermostat and coolant sensor. dealership says heater control valve, either way, with seeing how many people are complaining about the same thing, there is clearly a problem at the manufacturing level. maybe mitsubishi should look at doing something like accepting full responsibility and repairing these cars. with the economy what it is there are few people who are able to afford this expense, myself included. somebody please help us! why should the consumer always get the short end of the stick? | |||
| 11/01/2010 | |||
| Heat stopped working due to a faulty heat control valve. first it started making a clicking noise and now i have no heat at all. | |||
| 05/01/2009 | 80000 | 1 | |
| The problem started about a year ago. the constant rattling sound behind the dashboard when you first turn on the heat. after about 10-15 secs it stops. then eventually the rattling sound stops completely when you turn on the heat and so does the heat and the defroster. i lost heat the first time back around december of 2008. it came back on within two weeks and stayed on during the winter. around the first of may, i lost heat again and it has not been back on since. *tr | |||
| 08/09/2008 | 45000 | 1 | |
| In 2007, horn would just blow on it's own at random times. even though the battery was only one year old at the time, i replaced it again. last week, 8/09/08 the horn just started blaring again while driving. it nearly caused an accident due to another car swerving out of the lane next to my vehicle and into my rear driver's side quarter-panel. since the first instance, there seems to be electrical problems, as the radio and clock always reset, the trip odometer resets to zero, and the interior lights do not work. there are no blown fuses, and no damage to the electrical system. no one or business can seem to find the source of the problem. it will take over $5000 to rewire the car. as a working class citizen, and unemployed veteran, i don't have that kind of money, nor access to it. i have no choice but to drive an unsafe vehicle. i have also had problems with warping on the rotors (twice). *tr | |||
| 09/22/2004 | 48000 | 20 | 09/22/2004 |
| A few months ago the radio started staying on even while the key was pulled completely out, then the horn fuse had to be pulled because while sitting in our garage and the car not running, and hadn't been running for 12 hours, the horn started blaring, until my husband could disconnect the battery, then while driving home one evening in the rain, i had the wipers and headlights on the wipers would not shut off, even when put in the off position. they would not shut off until i shut the headlights off. i am scared for my safety as well as others to drive my car, and especially to use the cruise. i fear that if i do use the cruise it will stay on, and i will be involved in a deadly crash. no one seems to know what is the problem. it seems to really act up when the weather is damp or wet. the wipers will come on by themselves in the off position, with or without the headlights. please help. *jb | |||
| 01/08/2003 | 11/27/2002 | ||
| When ever i crank the car up in the morning or afternoon after the car sits for a while the exhaust smells like bad eggs. the radio/cd was replace three times already and the cd player still sounds staticty when playind disc and the speakers pop when the radio is completely off. also when ever some gets in and out of the car they get shocked by it to the point where u can actually see the spark from the shock. and when the car is just siting running u can feel the car shake like it is about to cut off. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||
| 09/08/2007 | 71500 | 1 | 04/29/2004 |
| My passenger side door started smoking and it melted the window wiring and door lock clicker and the motor in the window and melted the door a little bit. it should have blown the fuse for the window but it didn't it started smoking . *tr | |||
| 03/05/2006 | 48000 | 20 | 09/22/2004 |
| I have a 2003 mitsubishi galant es. it has 69000 miles. as of right now the problem with my car hasn't caused an accident but i am afraid in the future it might. it started with the radio staying on even after the key is pulled, then it went to that if i used the wipers and the headlights at the same time, the wipers wouldn't shut off until i shut the headlights off. we then had to pull the fuse for the horn, because while sitting in the garage, not running, hadn't been running for several hours, the horn started blaring, and wouldn't go off until my husband disconnected the battery. i am scared for my own safety as well as others, to use the cruise. i am scared it will stay on, and i would be involved in a severe crash. please help, no one seems to know exactly what the problem is. *jb | |||
| 01/08/2003 | 11/27/2002 | ||
| When ever i crank the car up in the morning or afternoon after the car sits for a while the exhaust smells like bad eggs. the radio/cd was replace three times already and the cd player still sounds staticty when playind disc and the speakers pop when the radio is completely off. also when ever some gets in and out of the car they get shocked by it to the point where u can actually see the spark from the shock. and when the car is just siting running u can feel the car shake like it is about to cut off. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | |||
| 01/19/2008 | 71673 | 3 | 05/09/2004 |
| Heater in car stopped working due to a problem with the control motor mr958603. *tr | |||
| 03/16/2007 | 63500 | 1 | 07/20/2004 |
| 2003 mitsubishi galant 2.4 liter 4 cyl. symptom: clicking in the dash board. heat would sometimes work and sometimes not. clicking stopped about a month ago and so did the heat. heater control valve or motor is the problem it would seem...a fix of 300-500 dollars just to get heat. *tr | |||
| 04/28/2003 | 12522 | 5 | 08/22/2002 |
| Dt: 2003 mitsubishi galant - the car struggles to change gears. a new engine was placed in the car, and vehicle was still having problems with shaking. information on service provided within six months of purchase. had problems with the engine - diagnosis with engine cycle misfired and faulty spark plugs. every four to six months there were major problems with engine. . on 4/28/03 engine service light came on, indicating engine misfired. replaced piston and engine head. 9/1/04 sparks plug failed, and cylinder misfired. on 9/10/04 the engine was replaced. 12/17/04 all dashboard lights replaced. 3/28/05 diagnosed and replaced hot water valve. on 9/2/05 crank case sensor replaced. *ak | |||