Mitsubishi recalls 102,000 Tritons over fire risk

MITSUBISHI Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) has recalled more than 100,000 MQ and MR model Triton pick-up trucks over concerns the vehicles may catch fire due to a faulty towbar wiring harness.

All 102,616 vehicles were produced between the 2015 and 2019 model years with the fault being traced to incorrect installation of the genuine towbar and subsequent wiring harness, where liquids could come into contact with the electrical circuit and create a short.

According to the official recall notice, this could cause the wiring harness to heat up and burn, possibly even catching alight and starting a vehicle fire.

MMAL says it will be writing to affected owners advising them their vehicle is affected and to present it at their preferred dealership to have the fault rectified free of charge.

The Triton has become something of a workhorse and fleet favourite in Australia with more than 25,000 units sold last year across both 4x2 and 4x4 configurations.

In the 4x4 pick-up segment last year, it was only outsold by the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, a trend which has continued this year ending February, with 3287 vehicles sold compared to the Ranger’s 5449 and HiLux’s 4978.