re: NHTSA campaign 20V035000
Laguna Hills, Calif. – January 17, 2020 – Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. has recalled 1998-2000 Montero vehicles due to issues with AirBag inflators. This inflator recall is one in a series of many airbag deployment issues resulting in multiple recalls.
The estimated total of affected vehicles is 20,000.
The Defect
20,000 1998-2000 Montero Mitsubishi vehicles are under recall due to airbag deployment issues. In the event of a crash or emergency airbag deployment, the airbag inflator may rupture and send hazardous metal fragments towards the driver. Airbag inflators have also been known to deflate and not provide proper protection to the driver in the event of a crash. Both could risk serious injury to the vehicle driver and other occupants.
The affected airbag inflators are installed with Non-Azide Driver air bag inflators (NADI) and were not equipped with phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. High or long term exposure to humidity or excess absorbed moisture may cause the inflators to underinflate or rupture and send hazardous materials towards the vehicles interior.
The Solution
This official recall is still under development according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Owners should expect to be notified by Mitsubishi once the official recall begins – which is March 22, 2020. All owners suspecting that their vehicle is under recall are welcome to call MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820.
For more information on this and other recalls, visit www.motorsafety.org.
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