The problem
On certain sport utility vehicles, water could enter the front floorboard area from openings in the side sill or upper dash area. This water could collect under the seat and cause electrical corrosion to occur in the harness connectors that contain the wiring for the seat belt pre-tensioner, side air bag impact sensor, and stop lamps.
The risk
Electrical corrosion of the harness could cause the seat belt pre-tensioner to malfunction, the side air bag not to deploy and/or the brake lamps not to illuminate or to falsely illuminate.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the side sills and dash panel for openings that May allow water leakage into the vehicle cabin. In addition to sealing any openings that May be found, the wiring connectors will be inspected for signs of electrical corrosion. The floor harness will be replaced if it has any signs of water damage or electrical corrosion. Owner notification began June 23, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Mitsubishi America at 1-800-222-0037 or Mitsubishi caribbean at 1-787-251-8715.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 03V-194 (03V194000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. |
| Component | Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash |
| Report date | May 20, 2003 |
| Owners notified | June 23, 2003 |
| Vehicles affected | 43,649 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the electrical system
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 03V-194 repair free?
Yes. Mitsubishi dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will inspect the side sills and dash panel for openings that May allow water leakage into the vehicle cabin. In addition to sealing any openings that May be found, the wiring connectors will be inspected for signs of electrical corrosion.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 43,649 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.