Mitsubishi issues brake recall on i-MiEV electric vehicle
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A Hello Kitty version of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric vehicle. (Photo Credit: CC BY-SA/russavia/Wikipedia)
Mitsubishi Motors Corp. has issued a recall on over 14,700 iMiEV electric vehicles worldwide, reports the Associated Press. Faulty brakes can lead to increased stopping distances and potential collisions. The i-MiEV vehicles in question were produced between Dec. 2, 2011, and Sept. 7, 2012. Mitsubishi will reportedly contact those affected by this recall.
Mitsubishi i-MiEV brake recall in major markets
Of the 14,700 i-MiEV electric vehicles on recall worldwide, 1,402 were sold in the U.S., and over 200 across Canada. Additional vehicles are still on dealer lots in various locations.
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The Mitsubishi brake recall is tied to a problem with the brake pump. The vacuum pump can become inoperable due to a faulty part that has been traced to a German supplier Mitsubishi has declined to name. Due to the faulty part, the vacuum pump can fail, which reduces braking power significantly. This in turn increases the time it takes to brink the i-MiEV to a stop, and thus increases the odds that a collision can occur.
i-MiEVÂ problem discovered in Japan
Investigation into the nature of the brake problem began after an owner in Japan filed a complaint with Mitsubishi in June 2012.
Mitsubishi Canada public relations manager Jon Arnone addressed the Mitsubishi i-MiEV brake recall via an email statement to the automotive press in which he noted that Transport Canada had been informed of the problem.
“A customer letter is in the works and will be issued as soon as our replacement parts allotment is completed,” he wrote.
No crashes on record
An unnamed Mitsubishi Motor Corp. representative announced that no crashes or injuries related to the i-MiEV brake recall have been reported to date to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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Owners of an affected i-MiEV will be notified by Mitsubishi and directed to their local dealer, where replacement of the faulty vacuum pumps will be made free of charge. A repair schedule has not been revealed as yet, but Mitsubishi encourages i-MiEV with further questions to contact their customer service hotline at 888-648-7820.