Mitsubishi Montero Sudden Acceleration Accidents

Mitsubishi Montero Sudden Acceleration Accidents [MERGED]

(page 351, post #3508)

https://www.tsikot.com/forums/mitsubishi-cars-talk-94/mitsubishi-montero-sudden-acceleration-accidents-[merged]-83364/index351.html

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kagalingan 

Verified Tsikot Member

Join Date 

Sep 2015

May 28th, 2017, 05:09 AM #3508

Raffy Nieto

EMAIL TO DTI ON THEIR DECISION ON SUA CASES - MAY 27, 2017

As I have indicated in my May 24 post, we have learned from some sources that DTI has decided on the SUA

issue. We have tried to secure a copy of this. DTI has acknowledged the existence of a formal

document relating to this dated May 2017, but we were denied the opportunity to see it. They

however acknowledged that Mitsubishi was given a copy. So once again, we are apparently in a

situation where DTI has been giving full access to Mitsubishi on any discussions relating to this SUA

issue. Yet, they have barred the complainants and other involved parties from being provided equal

access to the same level of info and discussions.

To make it well known to everyone, I am sharing here a copy of the email that I have sent DTI expressing

this concern. In this email, I have also expressed concern on Mitsubishi submitting the Horiba Mira Report as

their point of defense, but DTI has not bothered to contact us on our comments on such report. We have

provided DTI a copy of Dr. Ronald Belt’s assessment on the HR report last Jan 2017. But we have not heard

any feedback from DTI on this.

Below is the txt content of the email:

------------------------------------

RAMON M. LOPEZ

DTI Secretary

Dear Mr. Lopez.

We have received word that a formal document within DTI has been issued this May 2017 on FTEB Admin

Case # 15-219. The contents of such document is reported to be taking the side of the complainants. The

complainants have sought to secure a copy of this document through the 8888 hotline and only the attached

doc (Chronology of Events…) has been provided. This doc is dated March 2017, so this DOES NOT YET

INCLUDE the reported document updated document dated this month of May.

One of the complainants, Mr. Bernardino Bernardo went to the DTI offices last week (May 24) to try to

secure a copy of this missing doc. The person (lady) who spoke to Mr. Bernardo acknowledged the existence

of this updated May 2017 document, but relayed to him that she was NOT authorized to release a copy to

him. However, it was also confirmed that a copy of this same doc being requested was released to

Mitsubishi

Based on the attached “Chronology of Events…” document (dated Mar 29, 2017), there seems to have been

much activity on this case starting this March 2017. As far as we know from the complainants, no update

has been provided to them relating to these recent updates. Exchanges to this case have apparently been

completely limited only between DTI & Mitsubishi. The complainants who are an equal party to this case has

been kept out of the exchanges.

Last Jan 18, I sent an email (shown below) presenting the analysis prepared by our expert, Dr. Ronald Belt

on his assessment of the Horiba Mira report that has been submitted to DTI by Mitsubishi. The attached Mar

29, 2017 “Chronology of Events…” document confirms DTI’s receipt of this report. However, no reference has

been made on considering the analysis docs presented by Dr. Belt. As an example, Mitsubishi has been

heavily publishing news reports that the Horiba Mira report has completely cleared the Montero Sport of any

defect that can cause SUA. However, the Horiba Mira does not render any such conclusion. The HR report

also has indicated a SUA report rate on the Montero Sport that’s 20x higher than the highly celebrated

Toyota SUA cases in the US where the courts have sided with the complainants. Such high level of statistics

can’t be ignored, which DTI needs to consider in assessing this case. At the very least, our group who has

been directly coordinating with Dr. Belt could have been approached to help interpret its contents to

objectively render the complainant’s points for this case #FTEB 15-219 that’s being reviewed.

Since the start, the complainants and those like myself assisting in this investigation have been expecting

openness and transparency from DTI on points relating to this SUA issue. We however cannot help but notice

that DTI who has been mandated by the people to help protect consumers have been providing preferential

treatment to the respondents, by limiting the involvement of the complainants. We have already earlier

expressed major concerns on DTI’s possible whitewash of this issue when they barred us from participating

on any discussions relating to this SUA issue.

In summary, the complainants and those assisting in the investigation should be given EQUAL access and

allowed full transparency over DTI’s activities on this complaint. In behalf of those assisting like myself, Dr.

Ronald Belt and other supporting parties, we are here to objectively help resolve this issue for the safety of

the general motoring public.

Sincerely,

RAFAEL NIETO

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Mitsubishi Montero Sudden Acceleration Accidents [MERGED]

(page 351, post #3508)

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TOYOTA CAMRY Delivery Driver Crashes Through Domino’s Storefront

Car Slams Through Hialeah Domino's Pizzeria

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Car-Slams-Through-Hialeah-Dominos-Pizzeria-422212263.html

Delivery Driver Crashes Through Domino’s Storefront

HIALEAH (CBSMiami) — A Hialeah pizza shop was left with a major mess after one of their own employees crashed through the storefront.

Tamara Noriega, 48, works as a delivery driver for the Domino’s at 5874 West 20th Avenue. On Sunday morning, she showed up for her usual weekend shift just before the store opened at 10 a.m. Her start to the day, however, would be anything but normal.

“She opens with me on Sunday’s every time,” said co-worker Christopher Penas. “So I already knew it was her.”

As she pulled into a parking space in front of the store, Noriega hit the accelerator instead of the brake, police said, causing her to lose control and smash right into the store.

The crash shattered the storefront window and sent glass flying everywhere.

“Thank God I was on the other side of the store or else I woulda been hit with the car or anything that was there,” Penas added. “I just heard like a big bang and I saw in slow motion the car just driving right in.”

Fortunately, the store hadn’t opened yet so no one was inside other than Penas.

Noriega suffered a cut to her hand and other than the shock, wasn’t hurt. She left the scene in an ambulance shaken up and crying. Her car was removed by a tow truck shortly after.

VIDEO ON LINK

1:51 min video segment – Silva Harapetian

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2017/05/14/delivery-driver-crashes-through-dominos-storefront/

(with 1:51 min video segment – Silva Harapetian)

(Driver:  Tamara Noriega, 48)

(Toyota Camry, 2012 – 2017?)

(1:34 – 1:40 min marks “was seen telling paramedics

she didn’t know what happened.”)

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2017/05/14/delivery-driver-crashes-through-dominos-storefront/

2012 – 2017 TOYOTA CAMRY Vehicle Speed Control Problems  (as of: 21 May 2017)

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2017/toyota/camry/vehicle_speed_control/problem.aspx     (1)

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2016/toyota/camry/vehicle_speed_control/problem.aspx     (7)

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2015/toyota/camry/vehicle_speed_control/problem.aspx     (4)

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2014/toyota/camry/vehicle_speed_control/problem.aspx   (31)

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2013/toyota/camry/vehicle_speed_control/problem.aspx   (23)

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2012/toyota/camry/vehicle_speed_control/problem.aspx   (47)

TOYOTA RECALLS

Your vehicle MAY be involved in a safety recall and MAY create a safety risk for you or your passengers. If left unrepaired, a potential safety defect could lead to injury or even death. Safety defects must be repaired by a dealer at no cost to you.

The following may apply to one or more of your vehicles if your vehicle is listed below. Click on the NHTSA Recall ID Number below to read more about the safety issue and the reason for the recall.

To find out if your specific passenger vehicle is included in the recall, use our VIN Look-up Tool.

NHTSA Recall ID Number :	17V311
Manufacturer :	Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC
Subject :	Defective Lugnuts May Crack or Detach
	Make Model Model Years TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2013-2017 TOYOTA TUNDRA 2013-2017

What is a recall?
When a manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determines that a vehicle creates an unreasonable risk to safety or fails to meet minimum safety standards, the manufacturer is required to fix that vehicle at no cost to the owner. That can be done by repairing it, replacing it, offering a refund (for equipment) or, in rare cases, repurchasing the car.

What should I do if my vehicle is included in this recall?
If your vehicle is included in this recall, it is very important that you get it fixed as soon as possible given the potential danger to you and your passengers if it is not addressed. You should receive a separate letter in the mail from the vehicle manufacturer, notifying you of the recall and explaining when the remedy will be available, whom to contact to repair your vehicle, and to remind you that the repair will be done at no charge to you. If you believe your vehicle is included in the recall, but you do not receive a letter in the mail from the vehicle manufacturer, please call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236, or contact your vehicle manufacturer or dealership.

Thank you for your attention to this important safety matter and for your commitment to helping save lives on America's roadways.

Additional Resources
Understanding Vehicle Recalls
Recalls FAQ 

Thank you,

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
United States Department of Transportation

TOYOTA SAFETY RECALLS

Your vehicle MAY be involved in a safety recall and MAY create a safety risk for you or your passengers. If left unrepaired, a potential safety defect could lead to injury or even death. Safety defects must be repaired by a dealer at no cost to you.

The following may apply to one or more of your vehicles if your vehicle is listed below. Click on the NHTSA Recall ID Number below to read more about the safety issue and the reason for the recall.

To find out if your specific passenger vehicle is included in the recall, use our VIN Look-up Tool.

NHTSA Recall ID Number :	17V291
Manufacturer :	Gulf States Toyota, Inc.
Subject :	Roof Rack may Loosen and Detach
	Make Model Model Years TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2016-2017

What is a recall?
When a manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determines that a vehicle creates an unreasonable risk to safety or fails to meet minimum safety standards, the manufacturer is required to fix that vehicle at no cost to the owner. That can be done by repairing it, replacing it, offering a refund (for equipment) or, in rare cases, repurchasing the car.

What should I do if my vehicle is included in this recall?
If your vehicle is included in this recall, it is very important that you get it fixed as soon as possible given the potential danger to you and your passengers if it is not addressed. You should receive a separate letter in the mail from the vehicle manufacturer, notifying you of the recall and explaining when the remedy will be available, whom to contact to repair your vehicle, and to remind you that the repair will be done at no charge to you. If you believe your vehicle is included in the recall, but you do not receive a letter in the mail from the vehicle manufacturer, please call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236, or contact your vehicle manufacturer or dealership.

Thank you for your attention to this important safety matter and for your commitment to helping save lives on America's roadways.

Additional Resources
Understanding Vehicle Recalls
Recalls FAQ 

Thank you,

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
United States Department of Transportation

Your vehicle MAY be involved in a safety recall and MAY create a safety risk for you or your passengers. If left unrepaired, a potential safety defect could lead to injury or even death. Safety defects must be repaired by a dealer at no cost to you.

The following may apply to one or more of your vehicles if your vehicle is listed below. Click on the NHTSA Recall ID Number below to read more about the safety issue and the reason for the recall.

To find out if your specific passenger vehicle is included in the recall, use our VIN Look-up Tool.

NHTSA Recall ID Number :	17V295
Manufacturer :	Gulf States Toyota, Inc.
Subject :	Spare Tire Air Pressure may be Incorrect
	Make Model Model Years TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2017 TOYOTA 86 2017 TOYOTA AVALON 2017 TOYOTA CAMRY 2017 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID 2017 TOYOTA COROLLA 2017 TOYOTA COROLLA IM 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2017 TOYOTA PRIUS 2017 TOYOTA PRIUS C 2017 TOYOTA RAV4 2017 TOYOTA RAV4 HV 2017 TOYOTA SIENNA 2017 TOYOTA YARIS 2017

What is a recall?
When a manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determines that a vehicle creates an unreasonable risk to safety or fails to meet minimum safety standards, the manufacturer is required to fix that vehicle at no cost to the owner. That can be done by repairing it, replacing it, offering a refund (for equipment) or, in rare cases, repurchasing the car.

What should I do if my vehicle is included in this recall?
If your vehicle is included in this recall, it is very important that you get it fixed as soon as possible given the potential danger to you and your passengers if it is not addressed. You should receive a separate letter in the mail from the vehicle manufacturer, notifying you of the recall and explaining when the remedy will be available, whom to contact to repair your vehicle, and to remind you that the repair will be done at no charge to you. If you believe your vehicle is included in the recall, but you do not receive a letter in the mail from the vehicle manufacturer, please call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236, or contact your vehicle manufacturer or dealership.

Thank you for your attention to this important safety matter and for your commitment to helping save lives on America's roadways.

Additional Resources
Understanding Vehicle Recalls
Recalls FAQ 

Thank you,

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
United States Department of Transportation

BMW burst into flames while sitting in St-Leonard driveway

Owners say they want more compensation from the luxury car company

By Kate McGillivray, CBC News

Léa Manocchio can't shake the memory of running to the 

window and seeing her car on fire. 'Sometimes I wake up and 

go check if the other car is okay,' she said. (CBC)

Léa Manocchio and Vito Mucciacciaro said their BMW X3 SUV had been parked in their driveway for 12 hours when it caught fire this past spring.

Léa Manocchio and Vito Mucciacciaro said they found out their car was on fire when a neighbour knocked on their window. (CBC)

"I don't understand, how a BMW at sixty thousand dollars, a luxury car, could catch on fire without the engine even being on?" said Mucciacciaro.

The flames went as high as their balcony, and though firefighters arrived quickly to the scene, the car was completely destroyed.

The engineer hired by their insurance company determined that the fire was started by defective electrical circuits.

The couple's insurance company compensated them for the market value of a used car, but they said they were expecting more from BMW to make up for the stress.

After multiple calls, the company offered them a five per cent discount towards a new BMW, which Mucciacciaro said he won't be taking them up on.

The car was completely destroyed by the fire. (CBC)

"They can keep their five per cent," he said, adding that his next car will not be a BMW.

BMW did not return requests for comment. 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/bmw-on-fire-saint-leonard-1.3678376

BMWs ERUPTING IN FLAMES: BMW MYSTERY

BMW Electrical Fires

VIDEO ON LINK

CARS ERUPTING IN FLAMES: BMW MYSTERY

By Jason Knowles and Ann Pistone

Wednesday, May 10, 2017 10:38PM

CHICAGO (WLS) --

The I-Team and ABC News are looking into a BMW mystery, dozens of reports of cars erupting into flames, some when they're not even running, from across the country.

The I-Team has learned of a possible problem in some BMW vehicles. Some of the fires were captured on camera, and the I-Team found Chicago area customers who also say their cars went up in flames.

Kelly Kolep took dramatic photos of her 2000 BMW 5-series, charred. Burned to a crisp.

"What happens if we would have lost our lives? You can't bring us back; you can't bring my children back to me. And that's what I want them to understand," she said before she started crying.

Her husband Tyrone Brown still holds on to the hub caps.

"I was devastated and hurt," he said.

The flames went up, Kolep said, just minutes after she started her car. Fortunately, she and her children were not yet inside. The car was towed to the junkyard.

"Thank god my children were not in that car, otherwise me and my children would not be here today to tell you this story. And it's hard to sit right here and relive that moment," Kopel said.

The Rantoul Fire Department report from June 2015 only says that the "owner stated it stared [sic] in the glove box." The fire chief told the I-Team it wasn't arson. Kolep purchased the car used from a dealership 17 months before the fire.

The I-Team and ABC News found dozens of reports of similar BMW fires in the last five years around the country and Canada. Some fires were caught on video in parking lots, some fires set homes on fire.

Photos, YouTube videos, reports from fire departments and owner complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They include different makes and models of BMWs dating as far back as 1999. Some models were under recall for a fire risk; most were not.

BMW said with about 4.9 million vehicles on U.S. roads, fire incidents are very rare.

"The interior was completely demolished," Angel Lopez of Rogers Park said.

The I-Team tracked down Lopez after obtaining a record of his BMW fire report through the U.S. Fire Administration.

"I was like, 'The car just started by itself.' And they were like, that's very suspicious, and I'm like, 'That's what happened," he said.

Like Kolep, Lopez said the fire started in the passenger side glove compartment, but unlike Kolep's car he said his was not running. Like many of the cases, Lopez said his keys weren't even in the ignition.

"The engine may be off but all of the electric power systems that are going to do things like keep that high pressure fuel pump ready," said Sean Kane of the Center for Auto Safety.

Kane said even if the engines are off, the systems are always on in high performance vehicles like BMWs.

ABC News sent its findings to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. While NHTSA said at this time it has found no evidence pointing to a safety defect, the agency is asking for BMW owners who have experienced this issue to reach out to them directly.

"A lot of times these kind of problems get masked or buried into this pool of fire and no direct cause or origin," he said.

BMW said it "takes every incident very seriously and has a dedicated team prepared to work with BMW owners... We have not seen any pattern related to quality or component failure. Vehicle fires can result from a wide variety of external reasons..."

And it said "external factors like poor maintenance, aftermarket changes and even rodent nesting can cause fires."

BMW encourages owners to maintain their cars at authorized BMW dealerships.

Kolep said in the short time she had the car she received oil changes at a nearby mechanic shop, but Lopez said he only brought his car to a BMW-certified mechanic.

"Of course BMW couldn't' do anything about it, it was a used car, now, and they were just no help," Lopez said.

"They won't help us, why?" Kolep wondered.

Kolep said BMW did tell her they would give her a "special deal" if she bought a brand new BMW at a dealership. The I-Team also gave BMW the information of the two consumers featured in this story, but they did not respond to the specific cases.

ABC News and chief investigative correspondent Brian Ross will have more on this story starting Thursday on Good Morning America and on Nightline, finding more cases of BMW fires including reports of a string of incidents in South Korea and what's being done there.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the I-Team a statement, saying:

"The U.S. DOT and NHTSA's focus is on public safety. Motorists are encouraged to report potential safety issues to the agency, including strange and unexplainable incidents involving their vehicles. On NHTSA's website www.nhtsa.gov, vehicle owners can send a complaint and upload accompanying photos, police reports, insurance reports and other information that may be relevant. While on the site, owners can also check for open recalls using NHTSA's free look up tool."

http://abc7chicago.com/automotive/cars-erupting-in-flames-bmw-mystery/1978209/

VIDEO ON LINK

BMW MYSTERY: SOME OWNERS CLAIM PARKED CAR CAUGHT FIRE

Danielle Emerson's BMW caught fire inside her garage

By Diane Wilson

RALEIGH, North Carolina (WTVD) --

A growing number of BMW owners are speaking out after their parked cars caught on fire, and they say they got little or no support from the luxury car manufacturer.

Danielle Emerson was asleep in her bedroom when she heard her son screaming frantically.

"I'm hearing 'Fire! Fire!' He said, 'Mom the garage is on fire go, go,'" Emerson recalled.

Once she got everyone out of the home safely, she went to the garage and saw her 2011 BMW 528 on fire.

"The car is burning from under the front passenger seat. It's coming up where the side view mirror is, that is burning off, the door is burning off," Emerson explained.

Danielle Emerson's car caught fire inside of her garage

Emerson said she grabbed the water hose just outside of her garage and started spraying the fire.

"My driveway outside is at a slant so I was able to lay on my stomach and look under the car, and the car is on fire in a straight line," Emerson shared. "Straight to back and I'm spraying, I'm spraying, and I'm praying."

Her son CJ was actually in the garage with buckets of water trying to put out the flames.

"I'm like, 'Boy, get out of here! Both of these cars are full of gas get out of there!' I'm thinking that something is going to blow up at any minute."

Firefighters arrived extinguished the blaze. Danielle's BMW was totaled and the car parked beside it in the garage was also damaged. Danielle said there was smoke damage to her garage and her home. BMW did investigate the cause but took no responsibly.

In this letter, the company stated in part, "The thermal damage found was isolated to the external surface of the battery cable, with no indication of over-voltage or shorting of the wire within." 

The letter goes on to say, "Careful examination of the electrical, mechanical and fuel delivery systems did not reveal any indications of an ignition source as a possible cause."

Emerson was not pleased with the company's response.

"I need to know what happened that could have killed us."

Emerson isn't the only BMW owner who wants answers. We worked with ABC News Chief Investigator Brian Ross and his team along with our other ABC Owned stations and found at least 40 reported cases of parked BMW's catching on fire that were not covered by any fire-related recall. One of those cases involved Bill Macko's 2008 BMW X5 at his home in Maryland.

His wife just parked the car in the garage when he says she came in and said the car smelled funny. When Bill went to check on it, "There was black smoke, a snap, crackle, pop, and boom a flame."

It didn't take long for the fire to spread from his BMW to his home. His home was heavily damaged by the fire.

Macko says representatives with BMW investigated but gave him no answers and took no responsibility.

"It's disheartening when you're so loyal to a particular brand or product and then you're treated like this, not even an apology that's the sad part."

While BMW, like many other manufacturers, has issued fire related recalls over the years, when it comes to these cases BMW issued this statement:

With approximately 4.9 million BMW vehicles on U.S. roads, fire incidents involving BMWs are very rare. BMW takes every incident very seriously and has a dedicated team prepared to work with BMW owners, insurance companies and authorities to investigate any vehicle fire incident that is brought to our attention.

We have investigated and in some cases inspected the vehicles identified by ABC News. These vehicles span an age range of 1-15 years, accumulated mileage of up to 232,250 miles and multiple generations and model types. In the few cases that we have inspected and are able to determine root cause, we have not seen any pattern related to quality or component failure. Vehicle fires can result from a wide variety of external reasons unrelated to product defect, like poor maintenance, unauthorized replacement parts, even rodent nests.

So how can a parked car that's turned off catch on fire? Sean Kane, with the Center for Auto Safety, says it's a mystery, but it could have something to do with the fact that vehicles are never really "off".

"Even when a vehicle is off you're going to get power to a lot of the controls, the modules, the door locks, even the high-pressure fuel pump," Kane explained.

Kane says since the fire destroys so much of the components in the car it's tough to determine a cause.

"Oftentimes these types of problem get masked or buried into this pool of fire and no direct cause or origin, no pattern that's visible and then go off the radar," Kane added.

After losing so much, Emerson said she continues to search for answers as to why her BMW caught fire.

"It's a slow process, but I'm willing to wait because that could have been our lives there."

After ABC News asked more questions about Emerson's case, BMW confirmed they are again looking into it.

When it comes to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a representative said in part, "NHTSA is always monitoring for safety defect issues; at this time there is no evidence pointing to a safety defect; however the agency will continue to monitor its data. Motorists are encouraged to report potential safety issues to the agency, including strange and unexplainable incidents involving their vehicles. On NHTSA's website www.nhtsa.gov, vehicle owners can send a complaint and upload accompanying photos, police reports, insurance reports and other information that may be relevant. While on the site, owners can also check for open recalls using NHTSA's free look up tool."

The investigation continues. ABC News will have much more on the BMW Mystery Thursday on Good Morning America, along with World News Tonight and Nightline.

http://abc11.com/automotive/bmw-mystery-some-owners-claim-parked-car-caught-fire/1976576/