Recalls: Mitsubishi GA i-MiEV
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Mitsubishi GA i-MiEV
Mitsubishi i-MiEV: reduced braking capacity
In May 2013, a recall was issued for Mitsubishi i-MiEV vehicles due to potential cracking of the pump rotor and vane – this may result in reduced braking capacity, thereby increasing the risk of an accident (PRA 2013/13561).
2012 ‘model year’ Mitsubishi i-MiEV: limp home mode and inability to start
In June 2016, a recall was issued for 2012 ‘model year’ Mitsubishi i-MiEV vehicles because the resistance of the insulated base of the Motor Control Unit (MCU) could increase – this would cause circuit voltage to become unstable, causing the malfunction lamp to illuminate and activating the fail-safe control mode which restricted power output from the drive motor. Furthermore, it may not be possible to restart the vehicle and/or the battery may not charge. As a result, these conditions posed a hazard to occupants and other road users. The recalled Mitsubishi i-MiEV vehicles had VINs in the following range: JMFLDHA3WCU000290 to JMFLDHA3WCU000329 (PRA 2016/15468).
Mitsubishi i-MiEV: lamps may not illuminate
In June 2016, a recall was issued for Mitsubishi i-MiEV vehicles because the turn signal and lighting switch connector terminals could become worn during switch operation due to insufficient rigidity – this could result in an accumulation of oxidised dust on the connector terminals. Furthermore, excessive dust accumulation could act as an insulator, affecting terminal conductivity. Continued usage in this conduction could cause conduction failure such that the following may fail to operate or only operate intermittently: the headlamps, turn signal lamps, parking lamp, fog lamps, tail lamp, number plate lamp and cabin lamp (PRA 2016/15466). The recalled Mitsubishi i-MiEV vehicles had VINs in the following ranges:
- JMFLDHA1WAU001714 to JMFLDHA1WAU002896; and,
- JMFLDHA3WAU003201 to JMFLDHA3WCU000349.
2010 and 2012 ‘model year’ Mitsubishi i-MiEV: reduced braking assistance
In June 2016, a recall was issued for selected 2010 ‘model year’ and 2012 ‘model year’ Mitsubishi i-MiEV vehicles. In these vehicles, the brake warning lamp may illuminate due to ‘improper software judgement’ that the vacuum pump relay had seized. Furthermore, the location of the brake vacuum pump exhaust may allow mud or sand to accumulate; if this debris contained road salt, corrosion could occur and block the exhaust port of the pump. Either condition, however, could result in ineffective operation of the brake vacuum pump which could cause reduced assistance from the brake booster – this could increase stopping distances and potentially cause an accident (PRA 2016/15469).
Mitsubishi i-MiEV: Takata airbag recall
In March 2017, a recall was issued for Mitsubishi i-MiEV vehicles that were manufactured from February 2010 to 31 December 2011. In these vehicles, the front passenger airbag inflator contained propellant wafers that could absorb moisture over time. On deployment of the airbag, overly aggressive combustion could cause the airbag inflator housing to break and disperse metallic fragments throughout the cabin – these fragments posed a serious risk of injury to vehicle occupants. As per PRA 2017/15990, the recalled Mitsubishi i-MiEV vehicles had VINs in the following ranges –
- Mitsubishi GA i-MiEV: JMFLDHA1WAU001714 to JMFLDHA1WAU002896;
- Mitsubishi GA i-MiEV: JMFLDHA1WAU002896 to JMFLDHA3WAU003627; and,
- Mitsubishi GB i-MiEV: JMFLDHA3WCU000201 to JMFLDHA3WCU000289.
2010 model year Mitsubishi i-MiEV: vehicle may roll backwards
In March 2017, a recall was issued for 2010 model year Mitsubishi GA i-MiEV vehicles. In these vehicles, improper Cell Motor Unit (CMU) judgment of changes to the temperature and voltage of the main traction battery could occur when the vehicle was rolling backwards. In the worst case scenario, the vehicle may not accelerate forward but roll backwards when on an incline, posing a hazard to vehicle occupants and other road users. To fix, software for the Cell Motor Unit (CMU) was to be upgraded (PRA 2017/15992). The recalled Mitsubishi i-MiEV vehicles had VINs in the following ranges:
- JMFLDHA1WAU001714 to JMFLDHA1WAU002896; and,
- JMFLDHA3WAU003201 to JMFLDHA3WAU003627.
2010-13 Mitsubishi i-MiEV: loss of power braking
In December 2019, recall campaign 010162 was issued for Mitsubishi i-MiEV vehicles that were available for sale from 24 March 2010 and 20 May 2013. In extreme wet weather conditions (such as snow, ice and salt spray), the electric vacuum pump may corrode and deteriorate brake performance – this would cause the brake warning light to illuminate and the audible warning alert to sound. If there was a loss of vacuum to the brake booster system, stopping distances may increase – this would increase the risk of a collision and injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/18037.
Search online for recalls by VIN
To see if a Mitsubishi vehicle has been recalled, you can conduct a search on the Mitsubishi Australia website using its VIN.
Problems and faults: Mitsubishi GA i-MiEV
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Problems and faults: Mitsubishi GA i-MiEV
No troubleshooting information is currently available for the Mitsubishi GA i-MiEV.
