Mitsubishi to Recall 1.52 Million Vehicles

February 20, 2001

Japanese auto maker Mitsubishi Motors Corp. said it plans to recall more than 1.52 million vehicles globally.

The new total, announced during a Feb. 16 news conference was revised from the 1.35 million cars in Japan and the U.S. announced the day before when the company initially announced the recall.

The new total factors in Europe and other regions. Last year, the company was subject to a previous recall after it admitted to concealing defects and customer complaints for more than 20 years. The earlier recall affected more than 1 million vehicles, including 10,000 in the U.S.

Expectations are that the company will recall about 410,000 vehicles in Japan; 960,000 cars in the U.S.; 80,000 in Europe; and 70,000 in other regions. In the U.S., four models, almost all manufactured at the Mitsubishi plant in Normal, Ill., are covered by the recall: Mitsubishi’s Galant and Eclipse; the Chrysler Seibring; Dodge Avenger; and Eagle Talon.

About 400,000 of the cars were sold under DaimlerChrysler brands. The German- auto maker has a 34 percent stake in Mitsubishi Motors. Mitsubishi Motors indicated the U.S. autos would be recalled to fix a defect in a ball joint in the front suspension which could cause stalling.

It was indicated that about 156,000 vehicles with the same problem had been sold in other countries. According to The Wall Street Journal, the cost of the recalls was estimated by the company at approximately $145.8 million.

Topics Japan

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