Mitsubishi Lancer airbag sensor recall affects Virginia vehicles

Posted on Nov 21, 2009

Prompted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Mitsubishi has issued a recall for almost 30,000 2008 and 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer and Lancer Evolution vehicles. The recall affects vehicles registered to owners in “salt belt” states, where vehicles are exposed to melted snow and ice during winter.

Virginia is one of the 23 states affected by the recall, which was initiated when the NHTSA became concerned that long-term exposure to the salty winter road mix could cause corrosion to the front impact sensor. Damage to this sensor could delay airbag deployment in the event of a traffic accident, possibly injuring the driver or front passenger.

Owners of the affected vehicles can take their cars to their local Mitsubishi dealer for a free fix. To resolve this potential issue, dealers will replace the airbag sensors with a redesigned sensor. The new sensor is designed to withstand corrosion caused by winter water and salt road mixtures.

The recall is scheduled to begin November 27, 2009. Owners of affected Mitsubishi Lancers and Lancer Evolution vehicles can contact Mitsubishi Customer Relations at 888-648-7820, contact NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236, or visit NHTSA on the Internet at www.safercar.gov.

Owners of vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the following states should visit their Mitsubishi dealer as soon as possible: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.