Automakers and the current administration are making a big push for electric automobiles, and thus, any safety issue gets a large amount of news coverage, as it’s looked upon as a potential hindrance to the vehicles’ proliferation. This next recall probably won’t help matters.
Mitsubishi has announced the recall of i-MiEV and MINICAB MiEV vehicles from across the world. The vehicles can be found throughout Japan and Europe, for an estimated total of 14,700 vehicles. Although those numbers might not seem like much, it’s important to remember that the market share of electric vehicles is not nearly as high as its gas-guzzling brethren. As such, that accounts for about half of all such vehicles currently available.
A certain electric pump on the vehicles may have either been shaped improperly or damaged. As a result, air may not be sent to the brake booster in adequate amounts, and thus there might be an increase in the time and distance it takes a driver to stop. No one has reported an injury based off this experience, and to ensure future safety, free repairs are being offered.
This is one of the largest recalls to ever be issued for an electric vehicle. Last year, 8,000 Volts had to be recalled by GM and 2,400 Karmas had to be recalled by Fisker.