NHTSA (National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration), “Big Brother” of the car traffic in the United States decided to withdraw 29,353 units, more precisely 2008-2009 models of Mitsubishi Lancer / Lancer EVO because of problems arising from front airbags. According to U.S. officials, prolonged exposure of their sensors to a mixture of snow and salt can went to corrosion, which would delay the onset of the airbag in the event of an accident.
For now, withdrawing target vehicles are they sold in states where salt is used to clean the road in winter season (eg Connecticut, New York, Wisconsin and so on). Dealers in these areas have been asked to replace defective components, operation, of course, free.
Mitsubishi dealers have been instructed to replace the airbag sensors with a redesigned model with improved corrosion resistance. From press release: “THIS COATING OVER TIME MAY CAUSE CORROSION OR THE SENSOR. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLES CRASH OF THE TYPE THAT WOULD DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS THIS TYPE OF SHORT-CIRCUIT MAY CAUSE A DELAY IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS WHICH COULD RESULT IN DRIVER OR PASSENGER INJURY.”
