UPDATE 1: MMPC welcomes the DTI recommendations. Read it here (12/19).
There is no sudden unintended acceleration issue on the second-generation Mitsubishi Montero Sport—that’s the unequivocal statement given at the press conference called by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC). The company had a panel of experts including their own internal product planning and engineering personnel to explain that the Montero Sport has undergone extensive testing, and time and time again, they have reached the same conclusion: there is no design, mechanical, or electronic defect that exists.
MMPC has laid out that there are only four possibilities that can cause the sudden unintended acceleration (SUA) issue. First, it’s because of pedal impediment when an object jams one or more pedals preventing normal operation. Second, pedal misapplication because the driver unconsciously mistakes the accelerator for the brakes. Third, a sticky accelerator where the throttle body gets stuck because of dirt or oil build up. Finally, mechanical or electronic failure where more fuel is fed to the engine than is needed either due to problematic fuel injectors or ECU.
In the first three cases, MMPC notes that any vehicle can suffer from the same sort of problems and is not just limited to the Montero Sport. Meanwhile, in the final case, the problem would exhibit itself every time the vehicle is turned on. And besides, the vehicle will engage a limp or failsafe mode that limits the amount of maximum throttle.
The case of the Montero Sport suffering from SUA is nothing new. This first time this surfaced is in 2011, but then, a panel of technical experts from Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) flew to the country to conduct a series of tests. They have not found any defects or cause directly linked to the vehicle. In the most recent case made famous because of extensive media coverage, particularly on television and online, MMPC has conducted a thorough inspection of the vehicle after the incident. Their findings: all vehicle data gathered conforms to manufacturer’s standard specifications and that no malfunctions were observed. All hardware is in good condition. They also reiterated that the brake system (including the brake lights) is in good condition and fully operational.
Because there are now more than 80 individuals who have come forward to lodge a complaint about SUA, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has formed a panel to investigate this matter. In due course, all but two has been dismissed. The remaining two are pending final evaluation. Nonetheless, MMPC is fully cooperating with the DTI on this matter and is sharing all its technical findings regarding SUA.
Meanwhile, for the peace of mind of all Mitsubishi Montero Sport owners, MMPC is offering a free check-up at any of their authorized service centers nationwide. There, qualified personnel will be on hand to reorient you on the best and safest way of operating the vehicle.
See Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation’s official statement below.
PR disaster for MMPC especially when their new montero will come soon
ReplyDeleteKung driver error ang argument ng mmc at spokesperson nila (topgear) bakit montero lang ang may sua reports? So lahat ng bobo magdrive montero lang ang nabili? Imposible naman na walang tanga magdrive na nakabili ng ibang brand na suv
ReplyDeleteLow intelligence is apparently inherent to those who bought a montero. The act of buying a montero itself would already constitute as a dumb move on the part of a buyer.
Deletemaybe may isang nagreport ng SUA sa montero na nagsurface then lahat nalang ng human error na nagoccur sinisi nila sa montero dahil siyempre egoism narin nila at parang bandwagon sa pagsisi sa montero.
Deletebugok! ung mga may ari ng montero lang ung nag rereklamo. Mga papansing mayari.
Delete1:42 Driver 1: Duh.. can’t seem to make this car fit
Delete1:49 Driver 2: Such a stupid driver. Hey! Let me do the parking..
1:50 Driver 1: Ok boss!
1:51 Driver 1 placed gear to Neutral and gets off the car
1:52 Driver 2: Watch and learn. Stupid..
1:54 Driver 2 hops in
1:59 Without stepping on the brakes, Driver 2 engages gear to R
1:59 Driver 2 looked behind his car for a view of parked motorcycles
1:59 Car moves slowly backwards
2:00 Driver 2 startled slams on the brakes, but instead hits the gas pedal
2:01 Car slams on parked motorcycles
2:01 Driver 2: holy ccrraappp!!
2:02 Driver 1: Duh.. WTF!!
2:02 Driver 2 thinks he’s stepping hard on the brakes; he’s still stepping on the gas
2:02 (version 1) Driver 1 shaken with the crash, hits shifter with his right arm and throws gear to D.
2:02 (version 2) Driver 2 panics and trows gear to N, but due to rush of adrenaline over shoots and placed gear to D instead
2:02 SUV charges forward fast
2:04 SUV hits parked cars
2:05 SUV’s diesel engine reacts to heavy load creates black puff of smoke
2:05 Driver 1: Duh..WTF stupid old man!!
2:09 Driver 2 pumps the pedals thinking he’s slamming hard on the brakes
2:09 Diesel engine reacts to heavy load and high fuel injection creates big black puff of smoke
2:13 Driver 2 realizes his stupidity finally steps on the real brake pedal, tail gate brake lights lit
2:13 Gear placed to N
2:17 Driver 2 left the car shaken
2:21 Driver 2: Oh dear..I think I’m gonna faint…f*ck! there goes my pension
2:25 Driver 1: Duh.. maybe we can stick this back using mighty bond
2:02 (version 1) Driver 2 shaken with the crash, hits shifter with his right arm and throws gear to D.
Delete^the clip of montero having SUA stupid
Delete^the clip of montero having SUA stupid
DeleteFound this video on youtube and just want to share it to you guys. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgWlpnEzaIE
DeleteI guess most other drivers who had accidents with other brand od vehicles have the guts to admit to themselves that it was their mistake, while montero drivers who experience the so called "sua" are just blaming it as sua since its been reported. It's their ticket out of being called a "stupid driver".
DeleteMaybe MMPC could bring into the country a Montero from Thailand and do a comparison analysis, especially from what I read in other forums that it has something to do with the sensors or something.
ReplyDeleteThey say sensors in the Montero for the Phil. Market are different from Thailand or other countries. A one-on-one comparison may find the culprit to this SUA thing.
Who is "they"? Source please.
DeleteGood day! just to share a video I watched in youtube regarding SUA incident: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWr2EuyZ_h4
DeleteSUA can happen to any car, not just Mitsu. It is difficult to trace and pinpoint because it leaves no trail except the damages done. That's the danger of too much technology doing the decision for us. Sometimes it just goes haywire. Of course, car makers would deny SUA can happen because nobody could prove it with certainty. But it can not be denied it can happen, however remote.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I'm sure not all of those complaining have a SUA experience too. Some are just riding the bandwagon for compensation, although it was their own mental or emotional failure that brought the accident. Some just panicked.
This has already become a public relations nightmare for Mitsu. They can not simply say there's no SUA. Many will not believe them. The only course for Mitsu is to investigate each complaint no matter how silly or obvious it is and vet the real ones. I'm sure they will find some answers. And hopefully, put an end to the issue.
Not being able to find the problem doesn't mean there is no problem. One thing common among companies with the passion for excellence is their high sense of customer awareness. They treat people (specially their customers) with respect and listen to them. The sooner the management realizes that THEY HAVE A PROBLEM and start working with their customers the better for them. This is one problem that cannot be ignored.
ReplyDeleteNo sudden unintended acceleration.....according to Mitsubishi. The best thing is to do further investigation and find out more from certain tests and evaluation.
ReplyDeleteMitsubishi is sure to do everything in order to protect the name of Montero Sport because the new model it set to be uncovered really soon...and they don't want to lost in the mid-size SUV battle against the new Ford Everst and upcoming all-new Toyota Fortuner.
ReplyDeleteWhy montero lang??? Its human error as mits said... then ang tatanga pala ng mga montero a/t drivers who had experiened sua.... yun ang masaklap... mahirap bumili ng montero kasi " magiging unintended tanga driver" ka....
ReplyDeleteYun nga ang butas/fallacy ng montero apologists at mmc eh. By numbers alone fort ang pinakamadami sa kalsada. You would assume madami ding tanga magdrive ang nakabili ng fort or ibang brand from ford or isuzu. So dapat madami din magreklamo ng sua sa ford toyota or isuzu. Why o why are the complaints only on the montero? Why not the mirage, lancer o kung ano pa. Problema kasi sa mga motoring publications satin takot galitin mga manufacturers. Magbasa ka nga lang ng review akala mo e lahat ng kotse na binebenta dito ubod ng ganda. Wala man lang kaya laitin maski yung mga bulok tlga
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. The fact is Mitsubishi has long been notorious for covering up the defects of their products. There was a big scandal in Japan 15 years ago regarding this and their CEO was forced to resign. The fact that the local media, including Uly Ang,never mentions this is a scandal in itself. Wala silang credibility.
DeleteI read somewhere that 2012 Montero and earlier models have a transmission that can be shifted from park to drive/reverse without depressing the brake pedals first, perhaps that's a key sticking point on attributing to these accident, remember as a country we are at a phase when most are just transitioning from manual transmission vehicles to automatic transmission vehicles, with most drivers being used on driving manual type vehicles.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone actually compared how "sensitive" the accelerator pedals and how "responsive" the engines of the different SUVs in the same class as the Montero? Like the Fortuner, the Trailblazer, and the Alterra/MU-X? Especially, given that the power/torque of the Montero seems to be slightly higher than the others (with the exception of the Trailblazer) based on "paper specs"?
ReplyDeleteComments of "Anonymous December 2, 2015 at 12:03 PM" seems to be a plausible scenario, especially since I have experienced similar scenarios when riding with some less experienced drivers who are used to driving manual non-CRDI and non-VGT diesel-powered vehicles as they start to learn how to drive an automatic, CRDI, and VGT diesel-powered vehicles (i.e., accidentally stepping on the accelerator pedal when what they really wanted to do was to step on the brakes). Fortunately for us, in one instance, we only went over the sidewalk and no serious damaged was incurred . . . since as soon as we accelerated, we shouted at the driver to just take their foot off the pedal as we engaged the hand-brake. The driver in that instance panicked, because as soon as the vehicle was put in gear (i.e., "D"), the vehicle started to moved forward, which caused the driver to immediately step on the accelerator pedal thinking it was the brakes.
As we all know, it is much easier to detect defects in mechanical machines than in an electronic equipment, much more in a software program; and, it would be exponentially more difficult to detect errors/bugs in a software program that is proprietary. While we hope that manufacturers conduct due diligence in the design and development of their products (especially programs/codes that can more easily be copied/distributed), a third-party investigation would be difficult unless the concerned manufacturer would be willing to allow third-parties to look into its proprietary codes/programs.
On a hopefully more positive note, when airplanes started to shift from mechanical levers and physical cables to electronic controls (i.e., "fly by wire") in the 70s, pilots also had to adjust. Maybe we - drivers - would just need to adjust too, as our vehicles become more computerized and more powerful.
Mitsubishi also carries other products that are automatic but this montero seems to stand out when it comes to acceleration complaints. So this product really has a glitch. Simple common sense.
DeleteANG ISUZU PHILIPPINES AY GUMAGAWA SILA NG BLACK PROPAGANDA!
ReplyDeletehehe, who would be in the right mind representing the company accepts or admits that there is a problem in the product they manufacture & sell to compete in the market. Of course, the company and its people will defend what they make.
ReplyDeleteErgo, Mitsubishi is not the right company to depend on when shopping for a good vehicle. Unless it's a manual transmission.
DeleteSUA is not exist and not proven anywhere in this world...SUA words is used only in Idiot Driver... Car is design to run if someone operate in Driver seat ...come on guys masyadong tayong madrama. kung saan yung trending doon tayo.. dati Tanim Bala... ngayon.. Montero..anu na naman ang kasunod kaya nito...ah.. alam ko na elekyons..lol
Delete^This comment made my day. :)
ReplyDeleteIt all boil down to this.....BEHAVIOR....
ReplyDeleteHirap bumili ng Montero, Kaysa maawa sayo na muntik ka na mamatay tatawagan ka pang tangang driver.
ReplyDeleteBakit ang Strada walang ganyan?
ReplyDeleteExactly. Magkaiba lang ng kaha ang Montero at Strada, pero walang cases sa Strada. Oh well!
DeleteExactly. Magkaiba lang ng kaha ang Montero at Strada, pero walang cases sa Strada. Oh well!
Deletehttps://hernanmelencio.wordpress.com/2013/08/10/safety-concerns-in-mitsubishi-strada/
Deletethe engine needs air to develop power and SUA seems to be impossible with the engine throttle close.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if the complaints are real or is a way to getting the insurance pay for their own human mistake (aka human transferrence and blaming method). But so far, my dad in the Philippines owned a Montero Sports AT. He has it for 6 years without problems and without accidents.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I should also state this but so far, I don't think that this is the only car that has this problem. For instance, in this link
http://www.9news.com.au/national/2015/12/05/10/02/ford-s-acclaimed-car-of-the-year-burst-into-flames-during-test-drive
we noticed that ford also had a problem. This is so far our today's news and my dad was saying that back in the country, Montero is the heated on car, just like the Ford Everest on ours.
Just thought, all cars are actually dangerous and some of them might got past the quality boards. Maybe they should look into all the cars instead.
Experienced Driver or not... the normal thing that you do is dahan dahan ang apak ng accelerator... actually hindi mo na kailangan apakan ang accelerator coming from a stand still kasi nga kung nakapasok ka na sa Drive or Reverse, ang preno lang ang kailangan mong i-control slowly releasing the brake para mag-move - Forward or Backing ... SO, ibig bang sabihin sa halos 100 na owner/driver ng Montero, lahat sila tanga at walang alam sa automatic car driving? Even let us say accidentally naapakan ang accelerator - - DO you need to floor it? and let us say, na floor mo nga, instinc would tell you to get your feet off the pedal ... BAKIT ang haba ng tatakbuhin pa na todo pa rin ang gas ... TANGA ang mga Driver na ito ... that's it. lahat silang mga nadisgrasya for the same accusation... TANGA silang lahat.
ReplyDeleteActually watched a video of one of the complainant, a work colleague showed it to us. Although it now said that it has been erased, I guess he realised na katangahan ang pagpost niya ng video cos as we watched it, we all know human error ginawa niya. Nagpanic mukhang instead of break pedal, 'yung other pedal tinapakan niya cos his voice said something like its going faster. All of us in unison who are watching the video said, "He just stepped on the accelerator instead of the breaks didn't he..." And he actually complained about the montero.
DeleteTrue or not, I wouldn't risk myself, my family,and the other road users to be placed on harm's way. Meron naman ibang options without this issue. Why risk?
ReplyDeleteReally bad press for MMPI
This issue is actually doing me a favor. I hope MMPC gives a huge discount when the new montero arrives... keep yapping guys, honestly, i really hope this issue drags longer than it should. First time i'm thanking morons who can't figure out D, R and the Breaks... The new montero would be a bargain due to this none sense hahaha, all the better for me =))
ReplyDeletecongrats brother I feel you! hahaha
DeleteIt has to be standard in all automatic transmission vehicles that the BRAKE pedal should be pressed before shifting from PARK mode. Walang ganito sa MONTERO
ReplyDeleteCar manufacturer Toyota has agreed to pay a staggering $1.2 billion to avoid prosecution for covering up severe safety problems with “unintended acceleration,” according to court documents, and continuing to make cars with parts the FBI said Toyota “knew were deadly.”
ReplyDeleteA deferred prosecution agreement, filed today, forced Toyota to “admit” that it “misled U.S. consumers by concealing and making deceptive statements about two safety related issues affecting its vehicles, each of which caused a type of unintended acceleration.”
Toyota “put sales over safety and profit over principle,” according to FBI Assistant Director George Venizelos.
“The disregard Toyota had for the safety of the public is outrageous,” Venizelos said. “Not only did Toyota fail to recall cars with problem parts, they continued to manufacture new cars with the same parts they already knew were deadly. When media reports arose of Toyota hiding defects, they emphatically denied what they knew was true, assuring consumers that their cars were safe and reliable… More than speeding cars or a major fine, the ultimate tragedy has been the unwitting consumers who died behind the wheel of Toyota vehicles.”
Link:
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/toyota-pay-12b-hiding-deadly-unintended-acceleration/story?id=22972214
Do not buy Automatic Transmission Vehicles with computerbox that hangs like MS Windows OS and with electronic fuel injection since automatic vehicles are prone to SUA (Sudden Unintended Acceleration).. . . Prohibit computerization and automation of transmission of SUV since it is prone to malfunctioning and hanging like a MS Window Operaing System. Buy only the traditional clutch type mechanically control transmission vehicles without computer intervention. You can do engine break in a clutch type transmission vehicles if you lose brake. It's more safe to drive a clutch type mechanically controlled transmission vehicles than Automatic Transmission vehicles. .
ReplyDeleteToyota to pay $1.2B settlement in vehicle acceleration lawsuit
By Bob Fredericks and Post Wires March 19, 2014 | 9:19am
class suit action against Toyota. SUA The feds reached a $1.2 billion settlement with Toyota Motor Corp. after a four-year criminal probe into the giant Japanese automaker’s handling of a spate of sudden accelerations in its vehicles.
Attorney General Eric Holder, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Manhattan US Attorney Preet Bharara announced the settlement Wednesday morning.
“When car owners get behind the wheel, they have a right to expect that their vehicle is safe. If any part of the automobile turns out to have safety issues, the car company has a duty to be upfront about them, to fix them quickly, and to immediately tell the truth about the problem and its scope. Toyota violated that basic compact,” Holder said.
Bharara said the car company put profits over safety.
“In its zeal to stanch bad publicity in 2009 and 2010, Toyota misled regulators, misled customers, and even misstated the facts to Congress,” the prosecutor said.
“The tens of millions of drivers in America have an absolute right to expect that the companies manufacturing their cars are not lying about serious safety issues; are not slow-walking safety fixes; and are not playing games with their lives.”
The investigation focused on whether Toyota was honest in reporting problems related to the unintended-acceleration troubles, which led to multiple accidents and fatalities.
Toyota faces hundreds of lawsuits over the acceleration problems, which gained public attention after the deaths of a California highway patrolman and his family that were reportedly caused by the unintended acceleration of his Lexus, which is made by Toyota.
Starting in 2009, Toyota issued recalls for more than 10 million vehicles for various problems, including faulty brakes, gas pedals and floor mats. From 2010 through 2012, Toyota paid fines totaling more than $66 million for delays in reporting unintended-acceleration problems.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration never found defects in electronics or software in Toyota cars, which had been targeted as a possible cause by many, including some experts.
ayos para mabenta yung used car nyo na luma na para may pangbili ng bago "2016 fortuner or 2016 montero ang da best wag ma inggit" haha.
ReplyDeleteKahit ako ma aksidente isisisi ko sa montero eh. Mga tanga.
ReplyDeleteLatest news from ABS-CBN
ReplyDeleteSudden Unintended Acceleration of NAVARA.. cgurado pag merong aksidenting mangyayari sa owner ng navara SUA na nman issue jan.
yung new montero ba meron ng shift lock? which requires to step on the brake para ma shift from P to R? kasi yung outgoing models pwede i-shift kahit hindi nakaapak sa brake e.
ReplyDeleteConfirmed for models equipped with VGT, there is shift lock. Tested one just last week for a feature.
DeleteThanks! Btw, even the 2016 base model (GLS AT) is equipped with VGT, right?
DeleteThanks! Btw, even the 2016 base model (GLS AT) is equipped with VGT, right?
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this, is it safe to assume that only A/T is prone to SUA? So a Montero Sport (even the old model) with M/T has no risk of SUA?
ReplyDeletePedal misapplication only happens when you drive a vehicle equipped with A/T. Of course, that's not to say it's not possible with M/T, but the likelihood is rare.
DeleteHmmmm, are they still selling the old Montero Sport in M/T though they have launched the 2016 Model?
ReplyDeleteits amazing how montero sua believers use statistics saying that "why only the montero" to prove their claim but refuse to believe in statistics when used against their claim. according to most alleged cases, the brake system fails, the brake light fails, the engine code screws up. essentially, for some reason, for that split second, 3 independent systems of a car malfunctions all at the same time and after a split second, it functions properly. so all these alleged 97 cases had three independent system of a car malfunction at the same time.
ReplyDeleteKaya mad better ang manual trans kesa sa matic.. lalo na sa panahon ngayon na puro na electronic lahat, isang wire lng mag loko agad ang sasakyan... kaya when buying a montero, better pick one with manual trans... wala mang nangyari na SUA sa naka manual.
ReplyDelete