Investigations
PASSENGER DOOR FIRE
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA08011 — closed, opened 2008-07-01 and involving the MITSUBISHI MITSUBISHI.
NHTSA investigation EA08011 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 2008-07-01 and currently closed. The subject of record is MITSUBISHI MITSUBISHI, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for MITSUBISHI. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2009-08-21 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
An Engineering Analysis like EA08011 is the deeper technical phase that follows a PE. NHTSA requests design, warranty, and field-failure data from the manufacturer, conducts its own testing when needed, and determines whether the evidence supports a safety defect finding that would compel a recall.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "IN RESPONSE TO THIS INVESTIGATION, MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA (MMNA) INITIATED A SPECIAL PROGRAM ON JULY 31, 2009, TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2003 GALANT VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SW..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related MITSUBISHI files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
IN RESPONSE TO THIS INVESTIGATION, MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA (MMNA) INITIATED A SPECIAL PROGRAM ON JULY 31, 2009, TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2003 GALANT VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SWITCHES TO 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. NOTIFICATION OF THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM TO ALL REGISTERED VEHICLE OWNERS IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN LATE-SEPTEMBER 2009. OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH (BLOWN FUSE, INTERMITTENT OPERATION OR POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTION) OR WHO SPILLED LIQUIDS OR BEVERAGES ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WILL BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED AND ANY RELATED REPAIRS PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE. THE AGENCY IS AWARE OF 35 ALLEGED FRONT PASSENGER DOOR PANEL HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE INCIDENTS, INCLUDING THREE REPORTED MINOR BURNS OR BRUISES. THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR FATALITIES. THERE ARE 307 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS OR SHORT CIRCUITS WITHOUT ANY REPORTED HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE. MMNA INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF FIRE-DAMAGED DOOR PANELS/SWITCHES FOUND EVIDENCE OF SPILLED LIQUIDS WITH HIGH SUGAR CONTENT ON THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES. MMNA CLAIMS THE RESIDUE OF THESE LIQUIDS LED TO A SHORTING/SMOKE/ FIRE CONDITION INSIDE THE SWITCH/DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLY. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
About This Investigation Type
An Engineering Analysis (EA) is the in-depth phase following a Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA engineers conduct testing, collect data from manufacturers, and perform detailed technical analysis to determine whether a safety defect exists. An EA may lead to a voluntary recall by the manufacturer or, in rare cases, a mandatory recall order.
Other MITSUBISHI Investigations
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
Extended Stopping Distance
Clutch Interlock Switch Malfunction
GASOLINE LEAKS
PASSENGER DOOR FIRE
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.