2009 Mitsubishi Raider

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR MY 2009 MITSUBISHI RAIDER. THERE IS NO LONGER A LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALER IN MY AREA, THE NEAREST DEALER IS OVER AN HOUR AND A HALF AWAY. I CALLED MITSUBISHI MOTORS TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY WAY TO AUTHORIZE A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP OR DEALERSHIP TO MAKE THE REPAIR. THEY REFUSED TO DO SO, AND INSISTED THAT I DRIVE TO DEALERSHIP IN ANOTHER STATE TO HAVE THE REPAIR MADE.THIS WOULD TAKE AN ENTIRE DAY (1.5 HOURS TO GET THERE, 1-2 HOURS FOR THE REPAIR, 1.5 HOURS HOME = 5 HOURS). I CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE A DAY OFF WORK AND SPEND $50 ON GAS FOR A "FREE" REPAIR. MITSUBISHI CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFERED NO ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS. I AM SURE I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON DRIVING A MITSUBISHI IN AUGUSTA, GA AND I AM SURE I AM ALSO NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO ISN'T GOING TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY TO COLUMBIA TO HAVE THE REPAIR MADE. IF AN AIRBAG DOES GO OFF AND KILLS ME OR SOMEONE ELSE, I GUESS MITSUBISHI DOESN'T REALLY CARE.

NHTSA ID

10747046

Incident

Aug 7, 2015

Mileage

28,000 mi

This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Puerto Rico Traffic Safety Commission, notification letters are being sent to vehicle owners with Puerto Rico addresses to inform them of open Takata recalls.

This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), notification letters are being sent to vehicle owners with Texas addresses to inform them of open Takata recalls.

This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicle, notification letters are being sent to vehicle owners with Ohio addresses to inform them of open Takata recalls.

This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Division, notification letters are being sent to vehicle owners with Louisiana addresses to inform them of open Takata recalls.

This is a Technical Information Notice informing dealers that MMNA is launching a social media campaign targeting vehicle owners with open Takata recalls.

This Technical Information Notice informs dealers that with permission from the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division, notification letters are being sent to vehicle owners with Arizona addresses to inform them of open Takata recalls.