Mitsubishi and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have started a recall program on 21,493 Outlander vehicles equipped with L.E.D. brake lamps. Apparently the "brake lamp switch may malfunction and cause them not to light up during brake application", according to the NHTSA.
"The failure of the brake lamps to illuminate when the brakes are applied will not provide warning to following traffic and could result in a crash," said the NHTSA.
Indeed this is a very serious safety issue. Rear-end collisions are some of the most physically damaging to a person. A lack of working brake lights might confuse a following driver and cause him or her to not realize you are braking. Yikes! In documentation filed with the federal government, Mitsubishi said the stop lamp switch may have been contaminated with silicone grease during assembly at one of its vehicle assembly plants. This causes a bad contact between the brake lamp and the wiring harness of the car.
Mitsubishi will start sending out letters in Febuary regarding the recall. Affected vehicle owners can go to their local Mitsubishi dealer where a new brake light switch will be installed free of charge. Owners with further questions can contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.
Own one of these? Check to see if your tail lights are working.
Source: Inside Line
Photo: Mitsubishi Motors
