Seat Belt Failures In Mitsubishi Car Accidents

Due to the efforts of safety campaigns and mandatory safety laws, seat belt use in America is at a historic high. This fact should reduce the rate of deaths and injuries in auto accidents. However, there are millions of vehicles on the road with defective seat belt systems, that are incapable of providing protection in what could be a survivable accidents.  Many of these defects have been known auto manufacturers like Mitsubishi Motors for many years.

Mitsubishi Recalls Vehicles Due to Defective Seat Belts

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued past recalls to address specific problems with Mitusbishi’s seat belt restraint systems. In particular, 658,000 Mitsubishi vehicles were recalled in 1995 due to a faulty release button which can break and fall into the buckle assembly, preventing the buckle from operating properly. Several models where recalled for this defect:

1991 MITSUBISHI 3000GT
1986 - 1988 MITSUBISHI CORDIA
1990 - 1991 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
1986 - 1987 MITSUBISHI GALANT
1989 MITSUBISHI GALANT
1986 - 1991 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE
1988 - 1990 MITSUBISHI SIGMA
1986 MITSUBISHI STARION
1986 - 1991 MITSUBISHI MIGHTY MAX
1986 - 1991 MITSUBISHI MONTERO
1987 - 1990 MITSUBISHI VAN

More recently, Mitsubishi recalled its 2007 Mitsubishi Endeavor model SUVs due to a seat belt defect which can cause the lower right side seat belt anchor to separate in a severe crash leading to seat belt failure and resultant injuries.

Seat Belts Are Designed to Prevent Injuries

After the initial impact of an accident, the occupant of a car may be thrown into the interior of the vehicle or ejected out onto the ground if not properly restrained by a seat belt.   A well fitting lap and shoulder belt minimizes or eliminates contact with the vehicle interior, such as the windshield, steering wheel or the roof and restrains the occupant from being ejected from the vehicle.

Common Defects that Lead to General Seat Belt Failure

Some seat belts fail to restrain occupants due to both poor design and faulty manufacturing.   Some of the more common defects include, inertial unlatching & false latching, torn or ripped webbing or retractor failure.

Mitsubishi Seat Belt Failure Accident Attorneys | Lawyers

If you have been injured, or a loved one has been killed, in an accident involving a defective seatbelt or other auto defect in Mitsubishi vehicles and would like to learn more about your legal rights, contact an attorney at Lieff Cabraser. There is no charge or obligation for our review of your case.

You may also contact us by telephone toll free at 1-866-313-1973 and request to speak to vehicle injury attorney Fabrice N. Vincent.