Investigations
AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILURE
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA96014 — closed, opened 1996-06-28 and involving the MITSUBISHI MITSUBISHI.
NHTSA investigation EA96014 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 1996-06-28 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 1997-06-12 — 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 EA96014 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: "THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING TWO RECALLS TO REMEDY AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT FAILURES. 1993 EAGLE SUMMIT AND PLYMOUTH AND DODGE COLT TWO-DOOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1992 AND JUNE 1993 WILL..." 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
THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING TWO RECALLS TO REMEDY AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT FAILURES. 1993 EAGLE SUMMIT AND PLYMOUTH AND DODGE COLT TWO-DOOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1992 AND JUNE 1993 WILL RECEIVE A REPLACEMENT GUIDE RAIL. THE METAL GUIDE RAIL HOUSES A CABLE THAT MOVES THE BLET CARRIER BACK AND FORTH ALONG A GROOVE (OR TRACK) IN THE GUIDE RAIL WHEN THE CAR DOOR IS OPENED AND CLOSED. MITSUBISHI, THE MANUFACTURER OF THE CHRYSLER COLT AND EAGLE SUMMIT, STATED THAT BECAUSE OF THE GUIDE RAIL OPENING, AIRBORNE DUST CAN BE INTRODUCED INTO THE CABLE LUBRICANT. THE 1993 TWO-DOOR EAGLE SUMMIT AND PLYMOUTH AND DODGE COLT ALSO USES AN ANGLED BELT GUIDE AT THE TOP OF THE WEBBING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. MITSUBISHI BELIEVES THAT THE ANGLED BELT GUIDE CAUSE THE CABLE TO EXERT AN ABRADING FORCE ON THE TRACK, WHICH WHEN COUPLED WITH THE CONTAMINATED GREASE CAN CAUSE THE CABLE TO WEAR OUT THE LOWER EDGES OF THE CABLE'S CHAMBER (THE TRACK). EVENTUALLY, THE CABLE MAY DROP OUT OF THE GUIDE RAIL WHEN THE OPENING IN THE TRACK BECOMES WIDER THAN THE CABLE. IF THE CABLE DROPS OUT OF THE TRACK THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT IS IMMOBILIZED AND WILL NOT FUNCTION UNTIL IT IS REPLACED. 1993 EAGLE SUMMIT, PLYMOUTH COLT, DODGE COLT, EAGLE SUMMIT WAGON, AND DODGE COLT VISTA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 1991 AND NOVEMBER 1992 WILL RECEIVE A REPLACEMENT DOOR LATCH SWITCH. MITSUBISHI STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY USED IN SOME 1992 AND 1993 VEHICLES WAS EXCESSIVELY LUBRICATED BY THEIR SUPPLIER AND THAT THE EXCESS LUBRICATION COULD CAUSE THE RUBBER DOOR LATCH SWITCH COVERS IN THOSE VEHICLES TO DEFORM AND THE DOOR LATCH SWITCH TO MALFUNCTION, SUCH THAT THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE COULD REMAIN STUCK AT THE A-PILLAR. THE SUPPLIER REDUCED ITS LUBRICATION LEVELS IN SEPTEMBER OF 1992, AND IN NOVEMBER OF 1992 THE RUBBER DOOR LATCH SWITCH COVER MATERIAL WAS CHANGED AND ITS SWITCH CONTACT AREA WAS ENLARGED. OWNERS EXPERIENCING AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT FAILURES ON 1989 THROUGH 199
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.