Mitsubishi recalls some MK Tritons

A REPORT of a jammed finger has triggered a vehicle safety recall to check the tow bars of Mitsubishi MK Triton two-wheel-drive utes sold between May 2003 and December 2006.

The incident alerted Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) to a situation where certain accessory load tray and tow bar combinations could leave insufficient clearance around the tow bar, in breach of the Australian Design Rules.

Although the recall notice posted by MMAL on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s web site says 9500 vehicles are affected, the company says only about 3000 of the vehicles are believed to remain in the field, and that only a smaller proportion could have a potential tow bar problem.

MMAL head of corporate communications Lenore Fletcher said the company did not know how many vehicles might be affected by the issue, as tow bar fitment data was not recorded.

She said the situation only arose when certain aluminium load trays and genuine accessory tow bars were combined.

Under the ADRs, the tow bars require a certain three-dimensional space surrounding the tow ball mount.

Mitsubishi says the problem can be fixed with a different tow bar tongue, which Mitsubishi dealers can fit to recalled vehicles if necessary.

Affected vehicles are MK Triton dual- and single-cab two-wheel-drive four-cylinder utes sold from May 2003 to December 2006.

Mitsubishi asks owners to contact their dealer to have their vehicle checked and, if necessary, the tow bar tongue replaced.

Last year, Mitsubishi recalled 42,525 Tritons built betwern October 2006 and January 2009 to check that front suspension ball joint bolts were fully tightened.