In light of recent claims that a few owner-driven Montero Sport units have gone ‘wild’ and allegedly executed Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA) without any driver input, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) has released an official statement in order to shed light and more information on the matter.

MMPC, after thorough investigation by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) in Japan, unequivocally states that claims of SUA on the Montero Sport is ‘without any basis.’

Each claim was addressed and examined comprehensively by MMPC and the automaker’s global headquarters no less in order to ensure the absolute safety of each Montero Sport owner. 

Experts from Japan went to MMPC in February and October of 2011 to conduct a series of tests on units that were specifically cited with this issue.

To further the investigation, another unit also allegedly suffering from the same complaint was sent to Japan in October 2011 so that it can be painstakingly scrutinized and then tested in MMC’s private track in Okazaki, Japan.

In both test done locally and in Japan, the issue of SUA did not manifest at all.

The ‘phenomenon of SUA,’ according to MMPC, is not unique only to the Philippines or to Montero Sport models. Globally, alleged SUA incidents have also been analyzed but results laying blame on the vehicle have been inconclusive.

MMPC advises the public, especially buyers shifting from a manual transmission unit to model with automatic transmission, to refer to the owner’s manual for the proper procedures that should be observed when driving a vehicle with automatic transmission in order to prevent pedal application errors such as ‘driver unintentionally stepping the gas pedal instead of the brake pedal.’

Additional safety reminders can be found on their website or if you’re a Montero Sport owner and have concerns regarding the matter, please call their Customer Service Hotline at (632) 250-8888 (7am to 3:30pm - Monday to Friday) or you may visit any of their service centers nationwide.

‘MMPC guarantees the quality and workmanship of all its vehicles, pursuant to warranty provisions and seek ways to continuously improve its products.

With this assurance, we hope that claims of SUA being unfairly attributed to the Montero Sport will be put to rest,’ said MMPC in their statement.