2014-2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Seat Belt Buckle Safety Recall Campaign SR-20-004

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The information contained in this bulletin is subject to change. For the latest version of this document, go to the Mitsubishi
Dealer Link, MEDIC, or the Mitsubishi Service Information website (www.mitsubishitechinfo.com).
Copyright 2020, Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. Continued
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SUBJECT:
SEAT BELT BUCKLE – SAFETY RECALL
CAMPAIGN
No: SR-20-004
DATE: September 2020
MODEL: SEE BELOW
CIRCULATE TO: [ X ] GENERAL MANAGER [ X ] PARTS MANAGER [ X ] TECHNICIAN
[ X ] SERVICE ADVISOR [ X ] SERVICE MANAGER [ X ] WARRANTY PROCESSOR [ X ] SALES MANAGER
PURPOSE
This Safety Recall Bulletin provides instructions and procedures for the modification of the second
row center seat belt, related labels, inserts, and replacement of the second row right hand side seat
belt (if needed).
BACKGROUND
Due to seat arrangement of the second row seat back, if the owner’s manual is not properly
followed when folding the second row seat back down, the center seat belt buckle may interfere
with the right hand side seat belt buckle. As a result, the cover of the right hand side seat belt buckle
may come off causing the buckle latch to become inoperable and unable to engage the seat belt
tongue.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
Certain 2014 – 2019 Outlander vehicles
Certain 2018 – 2019 Outlander PHEV vehicles
IMPORTANT
Affected new or used inventory vehicles must be repaired before the vehicle is sold/delivered.
Dealers must check their inventory vehicles’ VINs on the Warranty Superscreen to verify whether
the vehicle is involved in this recall campaign. It is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to sell/
deliver a new motor vehicle or any new or used item of motor vehicle equipment (including a tire)
covered by the notification under a sale or lease until the defect or noncompliance is remedied.
CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
A letter will be sent to all owners of affected vehicles telling them to contact their local Authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer to have the second row seat belt buckle repaired and have new
instructional warning labels applied.
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SR-20-004
CENTER SEAT BUCKLE REPAIR PROCEDURE
Step 1. Pull up both sides (LH/RH) of the cushion seat using the release strap on the side of the seat
bottom.
Step 2. Confirm the buckle number:
A. If part number is 1084145; countermeasure part has been used. No repair necessary.
Proceed to Step 11, label attachment procedure.
B. If part number is 1059691, proceed with repair in Step 3.
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SR-20-004
Step 3:
A. Mark back side of buckle from top edge to 40mm down (Marking 1).
B. Mark front side of buckle from top edge to 40mm down (Marking 2).
C. Mark around the buckle from Marking 1 to Marking 2 (Marking 3).
Step 4: Cut along Marking 1.
Step 5. Cut along Marking 2.
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SR-20-004
Step 6: Cut from Marking 2 to Marking 1 along Marking 3 in clockwise direction.
Step 7: Cut from Marking 2 to Marking 1 along Marking 3 in counterclockwise direction.
Caution: Do not damage webbing when cutting.
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SR-20-004
Step 8: Make sure cut edge is smooth.
Step 9: Make sure the buckle moves more than 90 degrees in both left and right directions. If it
does not, trim the boot down lower.
Step 10: Make sure the right hand side seat belt buckle is not broken. If it is broken, replacement is
necessary (Part #7000D555XA). For detailed replacement instructions, refer to
TSB-19-52A-005 and if needed, the Service Manual -> Group 52A-Interior -> Seat Belt ->
Rear Seat Belt -> Removal and Installation.
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SR-20-004
Step 11: Clean dirt and debris from hatching area.
Step 12: Put the warning label (Part # MW400278) in the center of the hatching area (left top edge:
10 mm down from R END 1, 5 mm right from R END 2), remove upper side of paper backing
and adhere label by rubbing your finger from center to left and then right until air bubbles are removed.
Step 13: Remove lower side of paper backing and adhere label by rubbing your finger from center
to left and right until all air bubbles are removed.
Caution: Be careful not to crease the label when folding for paper backing removal.
Step 14: Pull the buckle up.
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SR-20-004
Step 15: Put the seat cushion down slowly and make sure the hook is in the correct position as
shown below.
Step 16: Reposition the seat cushion as shown.
Step 17: Make sure the seat belt buckle is above the seat cushion.
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SR-20-004
Step 18: Insert Warning Sheet into the Owner’s Manual (Part # MW400279).
PARTS INFORMATION
Use the genuine Mitsubishi Part listed below:
Model Part Number Quantity Remarks
ALL
MW400278 1 Warning label
MW400279 1 Additional warning explanation in owner’s manual
7000D555XA
1
If part is damaged when inspected in Step 10,
replacement is necessary
LABOR OPERATIONS
There are 2 possible repair scenarios for this campaign.
Involved Models
Campaign
Op#
Labor
Time Repair Description
Outlander and
Outlander PHEV
C2004R01 0.3
Inspection of center seat belt for countermeasure
part. Cutting off center seat belt boot, add
warning label to seat and warning explanation to
owners manual.
Outlander and
Outlander PHEV
C2004R02 0.4
Inspection of center seat belt for countermeasure
part. Cutting off center seat belt boot, add
warning label to seat and warning explanation to
owners manual & replace right hand side buckle.
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SR-20-004
WARRANTY/RECALL CAMPAIGN CLAIM INFORMATION
Enter all claims as claim type ‘C’ – Recall/Campaign Claims.
Please follow the campaign instructions when entering each claim. See the claim example
provided below.
RECALL CLAIM HEADER SECTION
C2004R
Enter in the first 6 characters of the campaign
number: C2004R.
JA…………..….
64500 Check the Open Campaign area of the Superscreen each time to be
certain of a vehicle’s eligibility. Only VINs showing C2004R as open are
involved.
After entering the required customer data, vehicle information, selecting the applicable repair
campaign, scenario performed (please note there are 2 possible repair scenarios for this
campaign), and then clicking the “Save and Continue” button; the system will automatically fill-in
several fields.
This notice applies to your vehicle, . Date: September 2020
Dear FIRSTNAME LASTNAME,
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
Reasonfor notice: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) has decided that a defect which
relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2014 – 2019 Outlander and 2018 –
2019 Outlander PHEV vehicles. Due to the seat belt buckle design on the secondrow
seat, when folding the left-hand side seat back, if the process located in the
owner’s manual is not followed properly, the center seat belt buckle could collide
with the right-hand side seat belt buckle upon folding the right-hand side seat
back, causing the cover of the right-hand side seat belt buckle to come off. If this
occurs, the right-hand side seat belt buckle latch may become inoperable and may
not be able to engage the seat belt tongue. If this occurs, it may not adequately
restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury or death.
What you shoulddo: Please contact your local Mitsubishi Motors dealer and schedule an appointment
to have the affected seat belt inspected and replaced, if necessary, free of charge.
When you bring your vehicle in, please show the dealer this letter. If you misplace
this letter, the dealer will still perform this repair for your vehicle, free of charge.
What your dealer will do: The dealership will inspect the center and right-hand seat belt buckles. The upper
portion of boot covering the center seat belt buckle will be trimmed to allow free
movement. If the right-hand seat belt buckle is damaged, it will be replaced. An
additional warning label will be attached to the second-row seat support base. An
additional warning insert will be provided for the owner’s manual.
How longwill it take? The time needed for the inspection and removal of the upper portion of the boot
and placement of the warning labels is 18 minutes. The time needed for the righthand
seat belt buckle replacement, if necessary, is approximately 24 minutes.
The dealer may need your vehicle for a longer period of time, but every effort will
be made to minimize your inconvenience.
If you experience any problem having your vehicle repaired promptly and/or at no charge, please inform us by
calling the Mitsubishi Customer Relations Department at 888-648-7820.Hours: Monday through Friday7 a.m. to
4 p.m. (Central Time)
If, after contacting Mitsubishi Customer Relations, you still have a problem getting this repair made promptly
and/or without charge, you may submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,Washington, D.C. 20590, or call the toll-free Vehicle Safety
Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153), or go to https://www.safercar.gov.
If you have already encountered a problem with the right-side second-row seat belt buckle and had it replaced
as a result of this specific condition and have paid for the repair, you may send your original repair order or
invoice, and original receipt/proof of payment to the following address for reimbursement consideration:
Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc., Customer Relations, P.O. Box 689040,Franklin, TN 37068
If you are the lessor of this vehicle, please forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within ten days to
comply with federal regulations.
We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. C2004R

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This notice applies to your vehicle, . Date: August 2020
Dear FIRSTNAME LASTNAME,
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
Reason for notice: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2014 – 2019 Outlander and 2018 – 2019 Outlander PHEV vehicles. Due to the seat belt buckle design on the second-row seat, when folding the left-hand side seat back, if the process located in the owner’s manual is not followed properly, the center seat belt buckle could collide with the right-hand side seat belt buckle upon folding the right-hand side seat back, causing the cover of the right-hand side seat belt buckle to come off. If this occurs, the right-hand side seat belt buckle latch may become inoperable and may not be able to engage the seat belt tongue. If this occurs, it may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury or death.
What you should do: Please contact your local Mitsubishi Motors dealer and schedule an appointment to have the affected seat belt inspected and replaced, if necessary, free of charge. When you bring your vehicle in, please show the dealer this letter. If you misplace this letter, the dealer will still perform this repair for your vehicle, free of charge.
What your dealer will do: The dealership will inspect the center and Right-hand seatbelt buckles. The upper
portion of boot covering the center seatbelt buckle will be trimmed to allow free
movement. If the right-hand seatbelt buckle is damaged, it will be replaced. An
additional warning label will be attached to the second-row seat support base. An
additional warning insert will be provided for the owner’s manual.
How long will it take? The time needed for the inspection and removal of the upper portion of the boot and placement of the warning labels is 18 minutes. The time needed for the right-hand seatbelt buckle replacement, if necessary, is approximately 24 minutes. The dealer may need your vehicle for a longer period of time, but every effort will be made to minimize your inconvenience.
If you experience any problem having your vehicle repaired promptly and/or at no charge, please inform us by calling the Mitsubishi Customer Relations Department at 888-648-7820. Hours: Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Central Time)
If, after contacting Mitsubishi Customer Relations, you still have a problem getting this repair made promptly and/or without charge, you may submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, D.C. 20590, or call the toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153), or go to https://www.safercar.gov.
If you have already encountered a problem with the right-side second-row seat belt buckle and had it replaced as a result of this specific condition and have paid for the repair, you may send your original repair order or invoice, and original receipt/proof of payment to the following address for reimbursement consideration:
Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc., Customer Relations, P.O. Box 689040, Franklin, TN 37068
If you are the lessor of this vehicle, please forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within ten days to comply with federal regulations.
We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. C2004R

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* * TECHNICAL INFORMATION NOTICE * *
DATE: September 1, 2020
TO: Mitsubishi Motors US and Puerto Rico Dealer Principals, Service Managers, and Parts Managers
RE: Seat Belt Buckle Safety Recall Campaign
TIN NO. TIN-20-SR-004
AFFECTED VEHICLES: Certain 2014 – 2019 Outlander and 2018 – 2019 Outlander PHEV
PURPOSE On July 13, 2020, MMNA submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) a Defect Information Report regarding the 2nd row right hand side seatbelt buckle installed in certain 2014 – 2019 Outlander and 2018 – 2019 Outlander PHEV vehicles.
A recall campaign will be released today due to the seat belt buckle design on the second row seat, when folding the left-hand side seat back, if the process located in the owner’s manual is not followed properly, the center seat belt buckle could collide with the right-hand side seat belt buckle upon folding the right-hand side seat back, causing the cover of the right-hand side seat belt buckle to come off. If this occurs, the right-hand side seat belt buckle latch may become inoperable and may not be able to engage the seat belt tongue.
Recall Bulletin SR-20-004 outlining the repair procedure will be available today on MEDIC and MDL.
Notification letters are being mailed on September 1, 2020 to owners of vehicles affected by recall SR-20-004 “Seat Belt Buckle,” requesting they contact their local Authorized Mitsubishi dealership to schedule an appointment to have this recall performed. Sample copies of the letters are included in the Recall Bulletin for your reference.
Affected new vehicle inventory VINs can be reviewed on the Mitsubishi Dealer Link in the Most Recent: Open Campaign List available under the service section of “e-reports.” Dealers must review the Warranty Superscreen to confirm if any vehicles in their new or used vehicle inventories are affected, and conduct this campaign prior to delivery to customers. This recall Campaign Number is: C2004R. When checking for applicability of this campaign, please check for and complete any other open campaigns. Always obtain the customer’s approval before completing a campaign on a customer owned vehicle.
IMPORTANT
Affected new or used inventory vehicles must be repaired before the vehicle is sold/delivered. Dealers must check their inventory vehicles’ VINs on the Warranty Superscreen to verify whether the vehicle is involved in this recall campaign. It is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to sell/deliver a new motor vehicle or any new or used item of motor vehicle equipment (including a tire) covered by the notification under a sale or lease until the defect or noncompliance is remedied.

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