Mitsubishi insists on safety of Montero Sport

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. stands pat on its claim that its Montero Sport sport utility vehicle does not have any design, mechanical nor electronic defect.

Mitsubishi cited the results of tests conducted by experts from here and Japan on the Montero Sport, after incidents of sudden and unintended accelerations (SUA) were reported as early as 2011.

“SUA is not possible on the Montero Sport from a technical viewpoint. There are safety check systems on the Montero Sport electronics which will eventually allow the Montero Sport to go to a safe mode in case sensors fail,” said MMPC first vice president Froilan G. Dytianquin.

In a briefing yesterday, Dytianquin ruled out all the potential causes of alleged SUA cases namely pedal entrapment, pedal misapplication, mechanical/electronic failure, and sticky accelerator pedal as these cannot occur due to the various safety features installed in the model.

Also, since the first investigation back in 2011, MMPC has already put in place a number of measures to ensure the safety of its customers.

These include the mandatory use of authorized, genuine floor mats effective April 2011 to ensure no pedal entrapment; and the issuance of technical service letter regarding installation of caution sticker in front of the shift knob, which already covered 17,932 vehicles as of November 28 this year.

Product enhancements were also introduced, namely the brake override system, wherein if you step on the brake and accelerate pedals at same time, an electronic control unit will prioritize the brakes and shut off fuel supply to the engine; and the shift lock system, which prevents vehicles from being shifted out of the “P” (park) position unless the brake pedal is depressed to prevent various unsafe conditions.

According to Dytianquin, MMPC also welcomed the move of the Department of Trade and Industry to investigate this issue, adding that the company was likewise open to any third party technical diagnosis “just to show our confidence in our vehicles.”

The DTI will formally begin its investigation today.

“We feel that this investigation will be fair and we will be fully cooperating. We are confident that we will be vindicated,” Dytianquin said. “Although the timing is quite odd because the issue resurfaced now when we are pre-selling the all-new Montero.”

There had been 97 reported cases of SUAs but most of these were dismissed and resolved. Only two cases remain pending for resolution.

As for product recall, Dytianquin stressed that there was no basis for such a move.

“A recall is something being done by manufacturers if there is a flaw in design, if there is a defect in the mechanical or electronics, and as we have shown, there is no sign of a flaw or defect on the Montero and so there is no reason for us to recall this model,” he said. -Amy R. Remo