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2002 Mitsubishi Galant

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Galant years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant are substantially higher than the model-year median of 26.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

77 reports with mileage · 58 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

21 crash reports10 fire reports15 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

27 reports
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24,139 miles · May 28, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

SINCE PURCHASE OF 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH SQUEAKING BRAKES, ROTORS REPLACED TWICE SINCE PURCHASED 7/05. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT SQUEAKING WAS FROM DRIVING HABITS; NOTHING WRONG WITH BRAKES. HAD TO TAKE VEHICLE TO PRIVATE MECHANIC. ALSO, PROBLEMS WITH AIR CONDITIONING. HOT AIR BLOWS OUT BOTTOM VENTS…

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SINCE PURCHASE OF 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH SQUEAKING BRAKES, ROTORS REPLACED TWICE SINCE PURCHASED 7/05. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT SQUEAKING WAS FROM DRIVING HABITS; NOTHING WRONG WITH BRAKES. HAD TO TAKE VEHICLE TO PRIVATE MECHANIC. ALSO, PROBLEMS WITH AIR CONDITIONING. HOT AIR BLOWS OUT BOTTOM VENTS BY FLOOR. AIR DOESN'T GET COLD EITHER. HAVE HAD VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONER CHARGED BOTH LAST SPRING AND ALSO THIS SPRING. WITHIN 2 WEEKS AIR ONLY GETS SEMI-COOL AND FLOOR VENTS BLOW REALLY HOT AIR AT ALL TIMES. THIS VEHICLE IS A DISGRACE. MORE TROUBLE THAN ENJOYMENT. ONLY GOOD THING IS APPEARANCE AND STYLE. MITSUBISHI HAS HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT BOTH THE BRAKES AND AIR CONDITIONING ON THEIR 2002 GALANTES. POOR QUALITY AUTOMOBILE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10191859

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingService Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE A 2002 GALANT, IT WAS THE FIRST BRAND NEW CAR I BOUGHT FOR MYSELF, THE BRAKES SQUEAKED THE FIRST DAY I'VE HAD TO GET THE BREAKS DONE TWICE ALREADY AND IT ONLY HAS 64,000 MILES I'VE ALSO GONE THROUGH 2 SETS OF TIRES I'M ABOUT TO BUY NEW TIRES THIS WEEK. IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS I'VE NOTICED IT DRIVES A LOT HARDER NOW, THERE'S…

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I HAVE A 2002 GALANT, IT WAS THE FIRST BRAND NEW CAR I BOUGHT FOR MYSELF, THE BRAKES SQUEAKED THE FIRST DAY I'VE HAD TO GET THE BREAKS DONE TWICE ALREADY AND IT ONLY HAS 64,000 MILES I'VE ALSO GONE THROUGH 2 SETS OF TIRES I'M ABOUT TO BUY NEW TIRES THIS WEEK. IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS I'VE NOTICED IT DRIVES A LOT HARDER NOW, THERE'S ODD NOISES COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE AND IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS RUBBING ON THE FRONT TIRES WHEN I DRIVE. IT PULLS TO THE LEFT REALLY BAD WHEN I BRAKE. IF IT'S IDLING IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S STRUGGLING FOR AIR AND SHAKES A LITTLE. I'M NOT EVEN DONE PAYING FOR THIS CAR YET. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10172056

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2002 GALANT. 2 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE THE BRAKES STARTED SQUEALING. BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AND 3 WEEKS LATER THEY STARTED SQUEALING AGAIN. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171482

60,000 miles · Jun 14, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I CONTINUE TO BATTLE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. THE CAR IS TYPICALLY USED WITH ONE OCCUPANT AND NO OR VERY LITTLE (20LBS OR LESS) CARGO. IN THE APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES I HAVE OWNED THE CAR, THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPAIRED 3 TIMES AND HAS NOW FAILED THE 4TH TIME. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED MORE TIMES IF I …

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I CONTINUE TO BATTLE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. THE CAR IS TYPICALLY USED WITH ONE OCCUPANT AND NO OR VERY LITTLE (20LBS OR LESS) CARGO. IN THE APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES I HAVE OWNED THE CAR, THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPAIRED 3 TIMES AND HAS NOW FAILED THE 4TH TIME. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED MORE TIMES IF I COULD AFFORD IT. MORE THAN 10,000 OF THESE 20,000 MILES HAVE BEEN DRIVEN WITH THE BRAKES SQUEALING OR CHATTERING. EVENTUALLY THE BRAKING POWER FADES AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES TOO MUCH TO HOLD ONTO. WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY, THE DEALER REFUSED TO DO ANY REPAIR COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER WOULD NOT INSPECT OR REPAIR THE CALIPERS IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT THE TYPE OF SQUEALING INDICATED POOR CONTACT OF THE PADS WITH THE ROTORS DUE TO STICKING CALIPERS AND THE FACT THAT HEAT WARPAGE OF THE ROTORS INDICATES STICKING CALIPERS. CALIPERS WERE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. INSTEAD, THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT I NEEDED TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR REAR BRAKE ADJUSTMENT AT THE SAME INTERVAL AS AN OIL CHANGE; HOWEVER, RESEARCH TELLS ME THAT THIS CAR HAS AUTO ADJUSTING REAR BRAKES! THIS TIME I TOOK IT ON MYSELF TO SERVICE THE FRONT BRAKES AS I COULDN'T AFFORD TO HAVE THEM SERVICED, MY WIFE AND I WERE AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE THE SHAKING DURING BRAKING WAS SO BAD, AND SEARS TOLD US THAT ROTORS HAD WORN TOO THIN TO RESURFACE. AT THE TIME I DID THIS SERVICE, I FOUND THE SLIDE PINS OF THE CALIPERS TO BE BADLY WORN. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE WILL CAUSE CALIPERS TO STICK, PREMATURELY WEAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS, OVERHEAT ROTORS AND PADS CAUSING WARPAGE OF THE ROTORS AND REDUCED BRAKING POWER, AND REDUCE BRAKING POWER BY CAUSING THE CALIPER TO CATCH RATHER THAN SLIDE ON THE SLIDE PIN AND THEREBY PREVENT PROPER PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PADS. THIS IS A FAILURE OF THE CALIPER, WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN EASY TO DETECT AND COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, WHICH SPECIFICALLY COVERS CALIPERS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10159827

40,000 miles · Mar 6, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

RECURRING AND SEVERE FRONT BRAKE CHATTER. DESPITE REPEATED REPAIR, THE FRONT BRAKES CHATTER ON BRAKING SO MUCH THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. THE BRAKING STRENGTH IS SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED AND BRAKING DISTANCE SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED. THE DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS DUE TO THE REAR BRAKES BEING OUT OF ADJUSTMENT CAUSING THE FRONT B…

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RECURRING AND SEVERE FRONT BRAKE CHATTER. DESPITE REPEATED REPAIR, THE FRONT BRAKES CHATTER ON BRAKING SO MUCH THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. THE BRAKING STRENGTH IS SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED AND BRAKING DISTANCE SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED. THE DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS DUE TO THE REAR BRAKES BEING OUT OF ADJUSTMENT CAUSING THE FRONT BRAKES TO WORK "TOO HARD" RESULTING IN WARPED ROTORS. THEY WILL NOT COVER THESE REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY. THE REPAIR ONLY LASTS ABOUT 3000 MILES AT BEST. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10152018

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructure

MY MITSUBISHI G IS A 2002. I BOUGHT IT 2/2004 FROM CARMAX! NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS INTO DRIVING MY CAR, I'VE HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS WHICH BEGAN SQUEAKING, THEN GRINDING. CARMAX CHANGED THE PADS AND I STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AT LEAST 3 MONTHS LATER! I BOUGHT 4 NEW TIRES FROM SEARS! THIS IS NOT MY 1ST CAR AND I KNOW BRAKES SHOULD NOT BE …

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MY MITSUBISHI G IS A 2002. I BOUGHT IT 2/2004 FROM CARMAX! NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS INTO DRIVING MY CAR, I'VE HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS WHICH BEGAN SQUEAKING, THEN GRINDING. CARMAX CHANGED THE PADS AND I STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AT LEAST 3 MONTHS LATER! I BOUGHT 4 NEW TIRES FROM SEARS! THIS IS NOT MY 1ST CAR AND I KNOW BRAKES SHOULD NOT BE CHANGED THAT OFTEN. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR. THEY ARE GOOD FOR SAYING THE COMPLAINTS ARE NOT LISTED ON THE WARRANTY. OH AND EVERYTIME IT RAINS, MY ENTIRE LEFT SIDE IS DRENCHED ONLY ON THE FLOOR! THE DEALER I PURCHASED SAYS THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NOW MY INSIDE FLOORS ARE GETTING WORSE. EVERY TIME IT RAINS HEAVY! THE MITSUBISHI HUB CAPS NEVER STAY ON THE TIRES! THE HEATING SYSTEM MAKES NOISE WHEN YOU TURN TEMPERATURE FROM HOT TO COLD???? I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT THIS MAKE CAR WERE A SATISFYING COMPANY. BLUE BOOK CAR VALUE SHOULD REALLY INVESTIGATE THE CARS MADE BY MITSUBISHI DURING THE ENTIRE 2000 YEARS! NOT TO MENTION PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF ARE MAKING CAR PAYMENTS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10141122

40,000 miles · Oct 24, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MITSUBISHI GALLANT: I BOUGHT THIS CAR PRE-OWNED, WITH 40K MILES. I HAVE ALREADY SERVICE MY BRAKES ABOUT 4 TIMES. I USED HAVE A DEALER WARRANTY, BUT IT WAS USELESS. A MECHANIC THAT I TRUST TOLD ME THAT MY ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, HE DIDN'T ADVICE ME TO REPLACE THEM BECAUSE IT WAS AN EXPENSIVE JOB AND THERE WAS NOT WAR…

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MITSUBISHI GALLANT: I BOUGHT THIS CAR PRE-OWNED, WITH 40K MILES. I HAVE ALREADY SERVICE MY BRAKES ABOUT 4 TIMES. I USED HAVE A DEALER WARRANTY, BUT IT WAS USELESS. A MECHANIC THAT I TRUST TOLD ME THAT MY ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, HE DIDN'T ADVICE ME TO REPLACE THEM BECAUSE IT WAS AN EXPENSIVE JOB AND THERE WAS NOT WARRANTY THAT THE CAR WILL NOT CONTINUE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM DUE TO FACTORY DEFECTS. HE TOLD ME TO LOOK ON THIS PAGE FOR MANY ISSUES ON THIS CAR. I WILL GET RID OF THIS CAR AS SOON AS I CAN. I WILL NEVER BUY THIS BRAND OF CAR AGAIN, I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10140630

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I PURCHASED MY 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT ON FEBRUARY 2002. I HAVE HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS FROM THE 1ST WEEK I PURCHASED IT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES AND ALSO CALLED NUMEROUS TIMES THAT YEAR. EVERY YEAR FROM THEN, I HAVE HAD BRAKE PADS PUT ON MAYBE 3 TIMES PER YEAR. EVERY OTHER MONTH, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH SOM…

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I PURCHASED MY 2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT ON FEBRUARY 2002. I HAVE HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS FROM THE 1ST WEEK I PURCHASED IT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES AND ALSO CALLED NUMEROUS TIMES THAT YEAR. EVERY YEAR FROM THEN, I HAVE HAD BRAKE PADS PUT ON MAYBE 3 TIMES PER YEAR. EVERY OTHER MONTH, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH SOMETHING IS GOING WRONG WITH MY BRAKES. JUST LAST YEAR, I HAD BRAKE PADS PUT ON AND ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS. JUST TODAY, I HEARD MY BRAKES SCRUBBING AND WHISTLING WHEN I'M DRIVING. SOMETHING IS DEFINETLY WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10128701

Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

OUR GALANT HAS SQUEAKING AND GRINDING WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. CURRENTLY AT 46,000 MILES, AND THE 4TH SET OF BRAKES AND 2ND ROTORS WILL BE INSTALLED. DEALER SAYS IT IS DRIVING HABITS AND WILL NOT FIX EVEN THOUGH I PURCHASED EXTENDED 75,000 WARRANTY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10114064

37,000 miles · Mar 1, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKES VIBRATE, GRIND, SQUEAL AND FADE. MITSUBISHI SAYS NOTHING WRONG AND KEEPS RESURFACING ROTORS AND REPLACING PADS. FIRST BRAKE JOB WAS AT APPROX. 850 MILES, THEY SAID FAULTY CALIPER SUPPORTS WERE THE CAUSE. THEY SQUEAL FROM THE MOMENT I PICK UP THE CAR FROM SERVICE AND START TO GRIND AND PULSATE RELIGIOUSLY EVERY 5000 MIL…

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BRAKES VIBRATE, GRIND, SQUEAL AND FADE. MITSUBISHI SAYS NOTHING WRONG AND KEEPS RESURFACING ROTORS AND REPLACING PADS. FIRST BRAKE JOB WAS AT APPROX. 850 MILES, THEY SAID FAULTY CALIPER SUPPORTS WERE THE CAUSE. THEY SQUEAL FROM THE MOMENT I PICK UP THE CAR FROM SERVICE AND START TO GRIND AND PULSATE RELIGIOUSLY EVERY 5000 MILES AFTER BRAKE SERVICE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ABOUT SEVEN TIMES AND THEY TELL ME THAT THE BRAKES ARE OVER HEATING DUE TO DRIVING HABITS AND LOCAL TRAFFIC. NONE OF MY OTHER VEHICLES EVER HAD ISSUES LIKE THIS DRIVING IN THE SAME TRAFFIC. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10112325

Official recalls

2

04V428000 · Equipment:other:labels

Sep 1, 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

02V147000 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

May 29, 2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ROUTING OF THE VEHICLE'S FRONT HARNESS CAN ALLOW IT TO COME IN CONTACT WITH A ROUGH EDGE, ALLOWING ABRASION. THIS COULD RESULT IN GROUNDED CIRCUITS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THERE COULD BE A LOSS OF STOP OR TURN SIGNAL LAMP OPERATION OR ENGINE HESITATION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR, ELIMINATING ANY HARNESS CONTACT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA08011 · Passenger Door Fire

Opened Jul 1, 2008 · Closed Aug 21, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers; Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash; Visibility; Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls

IN RESPONSE TO THIS INVESTIGATION, MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA (MMNA) INITIATED A SPECIAL PROGRAM ON JULY 31, 2009, TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2003 GALANT VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SWITCHES TO 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.NOTIFICATION OF THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM TO ALL REGISTERED VEHICLE OWNERS IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN LATE-SEPTEMBER 2009.OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH (BLOWN FUSE, INTERMITTENT OPERATION OR POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTION) OR WHO SPILLED LIQUIDS OR BEVERAGES ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WILL BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED AND ANY RELATED REPAIRS PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE.THE AGENCY IS AWARE OF 35 ALLEGED FRONT PASSENGER DOOR PANEL HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE INCIDENTS, INCLUDING THREE REPORTED MINOR BURNS OR BRUISES.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR FATALITIES.THERE ARE 307 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS OR SHORT CIRCUITS WITHOUT ANY REPORTED HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE.MMNA INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF FIRE-DAMAGED DOOR PANELS/SWITCHES FOUND EVIDENCE OF SPILLED LIQUIDS WITH HIGH SUGAR CONTENT ON THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES.MMNA CLAIMS THE RESIDUE OF THESE LIQUIDS LED TO A SHORTING/SMOKE/ FIRE CONDITION INSIDE THE SWITCH/DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLY.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Additional source detail variants (5)

Electrical System

IN RESPONSE TO THIS INVESTIGATION, MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA (MMNA) INITIATED A SPECIAL PROGRAM ON JULY 31, 2009, TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2003 GALANT VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SWITCHES TO 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.NOTIFICATION OF THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM TO ALL REGISTERED VEHICLE OWNERS IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN LATE-SEPTEMBER 2009.OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH (BLOWN FUSE, INTERMITTENT OPERATION OR POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTION) OR WHO SPILLED LIQUIDS OR BEVERAGES ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WILL BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED AND ANY RELATED REPAIRS PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE.THE AGENCY IS AWARE OF 35 ALLEGED FRONT PASSENGER DOOR PANEL HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE INCIDENTS, INCLUDING THREE REPORTED MINOR BURNS OR BRUISES.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR FATALITIES.THERE ARE 307 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS OR SHORT CIRCUITS WITHOUT ANY REPORTED HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE.MMNA INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF FIRE-DAMAGED DOOR PANELS/SWITCHES FOUND EVIDENCE OF SPILLED LIQUIDS WITH HIGH SUGAR CONTENT ON THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES.MMNA CLAIMS THE RESIDUE OF THESE LIQUIDS LED TO A SHORTING/SMOKE/ FIRE CONDITION INSIDE THE SWITCH/DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLY.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

IN RESPONSE TO THIS INVESTIGATION, MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA (MMNA) INITIATED A SPECIAL PROGRAM ON JULY 31, 2009, TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2003 GALANT VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SWITCHES TO 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.NOTIFICATION OF THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM TO ALL REGISTERED VEHICLE OWNERS IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN LATE-SEPTEMBER 2009.OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH (BLOWN FUSE, INTERMITTENT OPERATION OR POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTION) OR WHO SPILLED LIQUIDS OR BEVERAGES ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WILL BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED AND ANY RELATED REPAIRS PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE.THE AGENCY IS AWARE OF 35 ALLEGED FRONT PASSENGER DOOR PANEL HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE INCIDENTS, INCLUDING THREE REPORTED MINOR BURNS OR BRUISES.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR FATALITIES.THERE ARE 307 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS OR SHORT CIRCUITS WITHOUT ANY REPORTED HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE.MMNA INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF FIRE-DAMAGED DOOR PANELS/SWITCHES FOUND EVIDENCE OF SPILLED LIQUIDS WITH HIGH SUGAR CONTENT ON THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES.MMNA CLAIMS THE RESIDUE OF THESE LIQUIDS LED TO A SHORTING/SMOKE/ FIRE CONDITION INSIDE THE SWITCH/DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLY.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash

IN RESPONSE TO THIS INVESTIGATION, MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA (MMNA) INITIATED A SPECIAL PROGRAM ON JULY 31, 2009, TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2003 GALANT VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SWITCHES TO 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.NOTIFICATION OF THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM TO ALL REGISTERED VEHICLE OWNERS IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN LATE-SEPTEMBER 2009.OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH (BLOWN FUSE, INTERMITTENT OPERATION OR POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTION) OR WHO SPILLED LIQUIDS OR BEVERAGES ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WILL BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED AND ANY RELATED REPAIRS PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE.THE AGENCY IS AWARE OF 35 ALLEGED FRONT PASSENGER DOOR PANEL HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE INCIDENTS, INCLUDING THREE REPORTED MINOR BURNS OR BRUISES.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR FATALITIES.THERE ARE 307 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS OR SHORT CIRCUITS WITHOUT ANY REPORTED HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE.MMNA INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF FIRE-DAMAGED DOOR PANELS/SWITCHES FOUND EVIDENCE OF SPILLED LIQUIDS WITH HIGH SUGAR CONTENT ON THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES.MMNA CLAIMS THE RESIDUE OF THESE LIQUIDS LED TO A SHORTING/SMOKE/ FIRE CONDITION INSIDE THE SWITCH/DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLY.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Visibility

IN RESPONSE TO THIS INVESTIGATION, MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA (MMNA) INITIATED A SPECIAL PROGRAM ON JULY 31, 2009, TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2003 GALANT VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SWITCHES TO 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.NOTIFICATION OF THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM TO ALL REGISTERED VEHICLE OWNERS IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN LATE-SEPTEMBER 2009.OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH (BLOWN FUSE, INTERMITTENT OPERATION OR POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTION) OR WHO SPILLED LIQUIDS OR BEVERAGES ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WILL BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED AND ANY RELATED REPAIRS PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE.THE AGENCY IS AWARE OF 35 ALLEGED FRONT PASSENGER DOOR PANEL HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE INCIDENTS, INCLUDING THREE REPORTED MINOR BURNS OR BRUISES.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR FATALITIES.THERE ARE 307 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS OR SHORT CIRCUITS WITHOUT ANY REPORTED HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE.MMNA INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF FIRE-DAMAGED DOOR PANELS/SWITCHES FOUND EVIDENCE OF SPILLED LIQUIDS WITH HIGH SUGAR CONTENT ON THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES.MMNA CLAIMS THE RESIDUE OF THESE LIQUIDS LED TO A SHORTING/SMOKE/ FIRE CONDITION INSIDE THE SWITCH/DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLY.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls

IN RESPONSE TO THIS INVESTIGATION, MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA (MMNA) INITIATED A SPECIAL PROGRAM ON JULY 31, 2009, TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2003 GALANT VEHICLE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SWITCHES TO 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.NOTIFICATION OF THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM TO ALL REGISTERED VEHICLE OWNERS IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN LATE-SEPTEMBER 2009.OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH (BLOWN FUSE, INTERMITTENT OPERATION OR POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTION) OR WHO SPILLED LIQUIDS OR BEVERAGES ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW SWITCH WILL BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED AND ANY RELATED REPAIRS PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE.THE AGENCY IS AWARE OF 35 ALLEGED FRONT PASSENGER DOOR PANEL HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE INCIDENTS, INCLUDING THREE REPORTED MINOR BURNS OR BRUISES.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR FATALITIES.THERE ARE 307 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS OR SHORT CIRCUITS WITHOUT ANY REPORTED HEAT, SMOKE OR FIRE.MMNA INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF FIRE-DAMAGED DOOR PANELS/SWITCHES FOUND EVIDENCE OF SPILLED LIQUIDS WITH HIGH SUGAR CONTENT ON THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES.MMNA CLAIMS THE RESIDUE OF THESE LIQUIDS LED TO A SHORTING/SMOKE/ FIRE CONDITION INSIDE THE SWITCH/DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLY.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

PE08014 · Passenger Door Fire

Opened Mar 4, 2008 · Closed Jul 1, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical System:wiring; Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash; Visibility; Visibility:glass, Side/rear; Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR.IN MITSUBISHI'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S MARCH 12, 2008 INFORMATION REQUEST, MITSUBISHI ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT MAY OCCUR WHEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF LIQUIDS, MORE THAN 100CC (3.4 OZ), LIKE A SOFT DRINK WERE SPILLED DIRECTLY OVER THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AREA, ALL AT ONCE AND AT ONE TIME.MITSUBISHI FOUND THAT AS THE LIQUID DRIES OFF, ELECTROLYTES AND CARBONIZED PARTICLES ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS IN THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AND BECOME A CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL.AS A RESULT, THE SWITCH MAY START TO HEAT UP AND MELT OR IGNITE THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.HOWEVER, MITSUBISHI ALSO ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY RARE AND THAT BURNING DAMAGE WILL NOT OCCUR UNLESS LIQUIDS ENTER INTO THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH.ODI UPGRADED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA08-011, TO FURTHER EVALUATE THIS ISSUE.

Additional source detail variants (6)

Electrical System

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR.IN MITSUBISHI'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S MARCH 12, 2008 INFORMATION REQUEST, MITSUBISHI ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT MAY OCCUR WHEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF LIQUIDS, MORE THAN 100CC (3.4 OZ), LIKE A SOFT DRINK WERE SPILLED DIRECTLY OVER THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AREA, ALL AT ONCE AND AT ONE TIME.MITSUBISHI FOUND THAT AS THE LIQUID DRIES OFF, ELECTROLYTES AND CARBONIZED PARTICLES ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS IN THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AND BECOME A CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL.AS A RESULT, THE SWITCH MAY START TO HEAT UP AND MELT OR IGNITE THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.HOWEVER, MITSUBISHI ALSO ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY RARE AND THAT BURNING DAMAGE WILL NOT OCCUR UNLESS LIQUIDS ENTER INTO THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH.ODI UPGRADED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA08-011, TO FURTHER EVALUATE THIS ISSUE.

Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR.IN MITSUBISHI'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S MARCH 12, 2008 INFORMATION REQUEST, MITSUBISHI ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT MAY OCCUR WHEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF LIQUIDS, MORE THAN 100CC (3.4 OZ), LIKE A SOFT DRINK WERE SPILLED DIRECTLY OVER THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AREA, ALL AT ONCE AND AT ONE TIME.MITSUBISHI FOUND THAT AS THE LIQUID DRIES OFF, ELECTROLYTES AND CARBONIZED PARTICLES ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS IN THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AND BECOME A CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL.AS A RESULT, THE SWITCH MAY START TO HEAT UP AND MELT OR IGNITE THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.HOWEVER, MITSUBISHI ALSO ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY RARE AND THAT BURNING DAMAGE WILL NOT OCCUR UNLESS LIQUIDS ENTER INTO THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH.ODI UPGRADED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA08-011, TO FURTHER EVALUATE THIS ISSUE.

Electrical System:wiring

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR.IN MITSUBISHI'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S MARCH 12, 2008 INFORMATION REQUEST, MITSUBISHI ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT MAY OCCUR WHEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF LIQUIDS, MORE THAN 100CC (3.4 OZ), LIKE A SOFT DRINK WERE SPILLED DIRECTLY OVER THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AREA, ALL AT ONCE AND AT ONE TIME.MITSUBISHI FOUND THAT AS THE LIQUID DRIES OFF, ELECTROLYTES AND CARBONIZED PARTICLES ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS IN THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AND BECOME A CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL.AS A RESULT, THE SWITCH MAY START TO HEAT UP AND MELT OR IGNITE THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.HOWEVER, MITSUBISHI ALSO ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY RARE AND THAT BURNING DAMAGE WILL NOT OCCUR UNLESS LIQUIDS ENTER INTO THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH.ODI UPGRADED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA08-011, TO FURTHER EVALUATE THIS ISSUE.

Visibility:glass, Side/rear

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR.IN MITSUBISHI'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S MARCH 12, 2008 INFORMATION REQUEST, MITSUBISHI ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT MAY OCCUR WHEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF LIQUIDS, MORE THAN 100CC (3.4 OZ), LIKE A SOFT DRINK WERE SPILLED DIRECTLY OVER THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AREA, ALL AT ONCE AND AT ONE TIME.MITSUBISHI FOUND THAT AS THE LIQUID DRIES OFF, ELECTROLYTES AND CARBONIZED PARTICLES ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS IN THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AND BECOME A CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL.AS A RESULT, THE SWITCH MAY START TO HEAT UP AND MELT OR IGNITE THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.HOWEVER, MITSUBISHI ALSO ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY RARE AND THAT BURNING DAMAGE WILL NOT OCCUR UNLESS LIQUIDS ENTER INTO THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH.ODI UPGRADED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA08-011, TO FURTHER EVALUATE THIS ISSUE.

Visibility

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR.IN MITSUBISHI'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S MARCH 12, 2008 INFORMATION REQUEST, MITSUBISHI ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT MAY OCCUR WHEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF LIQUIDS, MORE THAN 100CC (3.4 OZ), LIKE A SOFT DRINK WERE SPILLED DIRECTLY OVER THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AREA, ALL AT ONCE AND AT ONE TIME.MITSUBISHI FOUND THAT AS THE LIQUID DRIES OFF, ELECTROLYTES AND CARBONIZED PARTICLES ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS IN THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AND BECOME A CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL.AS A RESULT, THE SWITCH MAY START TO HEAT UP AND MELT OR IGNITE THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.HOWEVER, MITSUBISHI ALSO ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY RARE AND THAT BURNING DAMAGE WILL NOT OCCUR UNLESS LIQUIDS ENTER INTO THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH.ODI UPGRADED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA08-011, TO FURTHER EVALUATE THIS ISSUE.

Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls

COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR.IN MITSUBISHI'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S MARCH 12, 2008 INFORMATION REQUEST, MITSUBISHI ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT MAY OCCUR WHEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF LIQUIDS, MORE THAN 100CC (3.4 OZ), LIKE A SOFT DRINK WERE SPILLED DIRECTLY OVER THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AREA, ALL AT ONCE AND AT ONE TIME.MITSUBISHI FOUND THAT AS THE LIQUID DRIES OFF, ELECTROLYTES AND CARBONIZED PARTICLES ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE TERMINALS IN THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH AND BECOME A CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL.AS A RESULT, THE SWITCH MAY START TO HEAT UP AND MELT OR IGNITE THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.HOWEVER, MITSUBISHI ALSO ASSERTS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY RARE AND THAT BURNING DAMAGE WILL NOT OCCUR UNLESS LIQUIDS ENTER INTO THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH.ODI UPGRADED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA08-011, TO FURTHER EVALUATE THIS ISSUE.