MLIT Statutory Recall · Japan

Recall 1131692 — Battery

Filed June 4, 2013 · Mitsubishi

Overview

MLIT filing number1131692
TypeStatutory Recall (government-mandated recall)
Date filedJune 4, 2013
Manufacturer(s)Mitsubishi
ComponentBattery
Production periodJuly 2009 — February 20, 2013
Vehicles affected115 units

Defect

The drive battery in affected electric vehicles may exhibit the following conditions. During the screening process, a worker accidentally dropped battery cells. The internal element shifted, damaging the element separator, and the gap between the shifted element and the current collector decreased. These defective cells were released into production. During in-service use, an internal short circuit may develop in the battery cell during charging, causing voltage to drop, the EV system warning lamp to illuminate, and the vehicle to become inoperable. In the worst case, the battery cell and some surrounding components may melt. Additionally, during the inactivation step of the screening process, the impact threshold was set incorrectly, causing copper particles to detach from part of the internal element. These particles migrate to the positive electrode during the same process, and minor internal short circuits may develop during in-service use. As a result, voltage drops, the EV system warning lamp illuminates, and the vehicle becomes inoperable.

Corrective action

Replace the drive battery module assembly on all vehicles with a conforming unit. Because parts supply for the remedy requires additional time, as an interim measure all owners will be notified of the condition and, until the replacement parts are available, asked to refrain from external charging.

Affected models & chassis ranges

This filing lists 3 type code(s). A vehicle is affected if its chassis number falls within one of the ranges below.

Type code (型式)ModelChassis ranges
ZAA-HA3W i-MiEV HA3W-0000344 — HA3W-0302280; HA3W-0304205
ZAB-U67V MINICAB-MiEV U67V-0000371 — U67V-0004244
ZAB-U68V MINICAB-MiEV U68V-0000203 — U68V-0000272

Original Japanese (MLIT source text)

Show the original Japanese filing text

状況

(2)電気自動車の駆動用電池において、以下の事象が発生するおそれがある。 ・スクリーニング工程において、作業者が誤って電池セルを落下させ、電池セル内部部品のエレメントが移動しエレメントのセパレータが損傷した状態で、移動したエレメントと集電体の隙間が減少した不良品を流出させたため、使用過程で充電中に電池セルの内部短絡が発生する場合がある。そのため、電圧が低下、EVシステム警告灯が点灯し走行不能となり、最悪の場合、電池セルおよび周辺部品の一部が溶損する。 ・スクリーニング工程の不活性化工程において、衝撃値の設定が不適切であり、電池セル内部部品(エレメント)の一部から剥離した銅異物が発生し、同工程中に正極に運ばれることで、使用過程で軽微な内部短絡が発生する場合がある。そのため、電圧が低下し、EVシステム警告灯が点灯し走行不能となる。

改善措置

全車両、駆動用電池モジュールASSYを良品に交換する。 なお、改善措置用部品の供給に時間を要することから、当面の暫定措置として、全ての使用者に不具合の内容を通知し、交換部品の準備が整うまでの間、以下の対応を要請する。 (2)外部充電を控える。

Source & verification

This entry reproduces public data from Japan's MLIT recall registry. English text is jdmvin.com's own translation; always verify against the official source:

https://renrakuda.mlit.go.jp/renrakuda/ris-detail-car.html?class=recalldatacar&id=3003057

Check your own vehicle: to see whether this filing affects a specific chassis number — and find every other recall for it — use the chassis lookup on the home page.

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