Mitsubishi issues recall order

MANILA, Philippines - The local unit of Japanese carmaker Mitsubishi Motors Corp. is recalling 4,255 vehicles sold here to replace the brake booster, brake lamp switch and engine drive belt.

According to Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) said the recall affects the following models: ASX, Outlander, Lancer EX and Lancer Evolution X.

A total of 27 ASX units sold in 2011 need to undergo the safety recall inspection to replace the brake booster as its switch sleeve is suspected to be improperly installed which may cause the brake pedal not to release and the vehicle unable to restart.

The inspection procedure for the brake booster is estimated to take 18 minutes at the most and when needed, replacement of brake booster is estimated at 2.4 hours.

Meanwhile, 558 Outlander units sold from 2007 to 2009 need to be checked for the brake lamp switch as the insufficient conduction in the switch may cause the brake lamp not to illuminate and may also result inability to move the shift lever out of park position.

The replacement procedure for the brake lamp switch is estimated to take 18 minutes.

A total of 2,459 Lancer EX and Ralliart units sold from 2008 to 2011, 603 Outlander units sold from 2008 to 2009, 600 ASX units sold in 2011, and eight Lancer Evolution X units sold from 2008 to 2010 need to be checked as the pulley and auto tensioner may wear out due to inappropriate material of the engine drive belt and may cause the drive belt to come off.

Replacement of the engine drive belt, plus inspection and replacement of the pulley and auto tensioner, is estimated to take around 1 to 1.5 hours in total depending on the engine type.