Mitsubishi Montero Sport crash incidents

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Second generation Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (Montero Sport) in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, similar to the car model concerned.

Near the end of 2015, a number of accidents, also called as "sudden unintended acceleration", occurring in the Philippines involving the Mitsubishi Montero Sport, were reported causing concerns regarding the safety of the car model and filing of several class action lawsuits against Mitsubishi Motors Philippines.

As of September 2021, over 100 complaints against Mitsubishi Motors Philippines were filed by Montero Sport owners. The incident has since been the subject of an investigation by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). There are also several sudden unintended acceleration incidents involving 2009 to 2011 Montero that date way back in the year 2010 to 2012. However, no such incidences have surfaced in other countries.

At least 23 SUA incidents involving Montero Sports were recorded by the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group, from motorists in Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Iloilo City, Laguna and Tacloban.[1]

Mitsubishi has asserted that the vehicles are safe to use and any sudden acceleration claims were of no basis;[2] The company however offered a free inspection for Montero owners affected by the incident.[3]

Notable incidents[]

  • On September 13, 2014, during the funeral procession of the remains of former Ilocos Norte vice governor Mariano Nalupta, Jr., a Montero Sport (owned by the bereaved family of Nalupta), suddenly went out of control and hitting 13 people who are part of the procession, the incident was resulting of two casualties and 11 injured persons, including board member Ria Christina Fariñas, daughter of Congressman Rodolfo Fariñas.[4]
  • On July 15, Bishop Noel Alba Pantoja's wife was nearly killed when the vehicle fell into a 57 feet ravine upon accelerating on a dangerous curved road.[5]
  • September 7, 2015 — In Quezon City, a Montero suddenly runs into reverse then forward, resulting in destroying the three motorcycles and two cars.[6]
  • Another incident on November 10 when engineering student Epi Cruz stated on his Facebook that his father suddenly hurls his car, Montero, claiming that he didn't step on the accelerator. The car lost control even though the brakes were applied. The car eventually capsized after avoiding a nearby bystander.[5]
  • November 10, 2015 — A gas station's CCTV captured the Montero being flipped into the vacant lot.[7]
  • a Montero Sport ploughed several concrete barriers on the Skyway Stage 3 construction on Araneta Avenue in Tatalon, Quezon City.[1]
  • On December 7, in Iloilo City, an owner of a Montero Sport saw his vehicle suddenly accelerated and ploughed his house's dining room.[8]
  • On March 25, 2016, in Ban Tat, Thailand, 65 yr old Jonathan Hurley, operating his newly acquired 2016 Mitsubishi Triton, entered a curve and attempted to slow. Instead accelerated through the curve crossed the centerline and killed a motorcyclist in a head-on collision. Mr. Hurley insisted he was braking.[citation needed]
  • On December 21, 2017, ABS-CBN News reporter Doris Bigornia and her cameraman were involved in the accident with a Montero.[9]

Investigation[]

Initially, the DTI has not ordered any recall of Montero Sport models following its two-week investigation on the alleged SUA incidents.[10] In 2017 the agency has ordered a recall on all automatic transmission variants of the vehicle manufactured between 2010 and 2015, but has since clarified that the recall order was not yet final and executory.[11]

Other reactions[]

Bayan Muna representatives Neri Colmenares and Carlos Isagani Zarate blamed the incidents on the Department of Trade and Industry's failure to conduct safety inspections on the vehicles in question.[2]

In light of the incidents, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines has asserted that the Montero Sport is safe to use, and any claims of sudden acceleration are devoid of any basis.[2]

Quezon City Rep. Winnie Castelo, the current chairman of Metro Manila development committee urged Mitsubishi Motors to recall all its defective Montero models until the investigation of the DTI have been concluded.[12]

The incident inspired numerous parodies and satirical reactions, among them a mobile app entitled "SUA Your Face", in reference to Montero owners adopting the hashtag #SUAyourface as a response to the incidents' notoriety in Philippine media.[13]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "Montero driver in QC mishap blames 'sudden acceleration'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 6 Dec 2015. Retrieved 12 Dec 2015.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c "DTI creates panel to probe accidents involving Mitsubishi Montero Sport". BusinessMirror. 25 Nov 2015. Retrieved 12 Dec 2015.
  3. ^ Perez, Ace June Rell (4 January 2016). "Have Montero Sport checked for free: DTI". SunStar. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  4. ^ "'Fariñas daughter nearly killed in Montero crash'". The Daily Tribune. 3 December 2015. Archived from the original on 21 April 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b "Montero Sport 'victims' share their stories; UK expert weighs in". CNN Philippines. 5 Dec 2015. Retrieved 12 Dec 2015.
  6. ^ [1]
  7. ^ [2]
  8. ^ "Montero driver in Iloilo reports sudden unintended acceleration case". CNN Philippines. 9 Dec 2015. Retrieved 12 Dec 2015.
  9. ^ "TV Patrol: Reporter sugatan sa karambola ng 5 sasakyan". ABS-CBN News
  10. ^ Garcia, Paul (17 December 2015). "No recall of Montero Sport – DTI". CNN Philippines. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  11. ^ "Recall of Montero Sport units not yet final, executory —DTI". GMA News. GMA Network. 8 June 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  12. ^ "Despite Top Gear defense, House leader asks Mitsubishi to recall 'defective' Montero". Politiko. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  13. ^ "SUA Your Face". Google Play. Mesocyclone Studios. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
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