Mitsubishi Montero Sudden Acceleration Accidents [MERGED]

[glenn_duke]

Folks in south america also get the ms in LHD form.

Vietnam and Russia also has the LHD form of MS.

[johnachua]

Hi guys! I just wanted to share my family's experience with the Sudden Unintended Acceleration phenomenon of Montero (you can find the story here Montero Sudden Unintended Acceleration). You may have already heard about it, because someone posted the link to the Manila Standard Today article written by Atty. Jimeno here.

Anyway, the accident happened to my parents. Thank God both of them only sustained minor injuries. I can very well understand why there is a prevailing skepticism towards the SUA phenomenon.

My dad is 56 years old. One can easily conclude that since my dad is relatively old, driver-error must be the reason. But on the other hand, my dad has been driving since he was 16. Does that make him an expert driver? NO. Since his old, does that make him any less of a driver. NO! I beg to disagree that age should be a factor in determining whether or not a reported SUA accident is true.

Let me quote a statement made by Dr. Antony Anderson (a fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and of the Institution of Diagnostic Engineers) regarding sudden unintended accelerations: "...These two possibilities—driver malfunction and electronic malfunction—are mutually exclusive, Anderson points out. Proponents of the “driver pedal error” hypothesis contend that where no physical evidence of a failed electronic component is found after the event, there could not have be an electronic malfunction and therefore the only plausible explanation is that it was the driver that malfunctioned. This is an example of the fallacy “Absence of proof is proof of absence,” Anderson argues. In fact, he says, “Absence of proof is not proof of absence” as intermittent electronic malfunctions do not necessarily leave permanent traces behind them after the event and may not be reproduceable on demand.”


Let's keep an open mind guys. We are entitled to our own opinions. But surmising something as untrue despite us not being the ones who experienced it is unfair.

[prince777]

Impressive first post sir, thank you for your reminder.

Think safe, Be safe and Drive Safely everyone.

[niky]

Absence of proof goes both ways.

And I have issue with this declarative statement:

"...These two possibilities—driver malfunction and electronic malfunction—are mutually exclusive

Just because the driver does the wrong thing, does not mean that the vehicle is not acting strangely... and just because the vehicle is acting strangely, does not mean the driver is doing the right thing. Mutually exclusive suggests that an accident must have a single cause. This is not true.

-

We try to keep an open mind, but an electronic malfunction cannot affect the braking system of the vehicle, because it is a completely different subsystem, and the only electronic portion of the braking system is the ABS.

[johnachua]

In the context of the statement made by Dr. Anderson, driver malfunction pertains to the error on the part of the driver (i.e. pedal misapplication) while the electronic malfunction refers to a defect in the vehicle which manifests "If the cruise control servo or the electronic throttle servo, in the case of an electronic throttle system, moves the throttle to the open position uncommanded".

Now about the two possibilities being mutually exclusive, i don't think his statement is wrong. If for example the vehicle indeed has faulty electronic system such that even though the driver does not depress the accelerator pad, the throttle still moves to the open position, then regardless which pedal the driver depresses or whether or not the driver stepped on the brake the fact that the vehicle malfunctioned means that the accident was caused by a problem in the vehicle. Yes, the driver can worsen the situation by not having the presence of mind but it will be never be the fault of the driver if in the first place the vehicle malfunctioned. You cannot tell the driver that "Yes the vehicle malfunctioned but you should have done this or that so it's your fault." On the other hand, if it was a case of an error on the part of the driver then regardless whether the vehicle malfunctioned or not, if the driver inadvertently stepped on the accelerator pad, then accident is clearly inevitable.

I did not say that there was a problem in the braking system of our Montero. What I said in my blog was that when our Montero surged forward from standstill, i took only 2 seconds before it rammed into a parked RAV4 (distance was approx 12meters only). My dad remembered hitting the brakes but it was already too late.

[niky]

What year and model of Montero was it? With or without cruise control? (Apparently cruise control is optional on higher end Montys now).

[Retz]

Absence of proof goes both ways.

And I have issue with this declarative statement:



Just because the driver does the wrong thing, does not mean that the vehicle is not acting strangely... and just because the vehicle is acting strangely, does not mean the driver is doing the right thing. Mutually exclusive suggests that an accident must have a single cause. This is not true.

-

We try to keep an open mind, but an electronic malfunction cannot affect the braking system of the vehicle, because it is a completely different subsystem, and the only electronic portion of the braking system is the ABS.

Good point sir niky. Even the electronics of the ABS malfunctioned, braking system still operates conveniently.

[johnachua]

2010 Montero 4x4 GLS SE (vehicles was bought feb 2011). No cruise control.

[Retz]

Hi guys! I just wanted to share my family's experience with the Sudden Unintended Acceleration phenomenon of Montero (you can find the story here Montero Sudden Unintended Acceleration). You may have already heard about it, because someone posted the link to the Manila Standard Today article written by Atty. Jimeno here.

Anyway, the accident happened to my parents. Thank God both of them only sustained minor injuries. I can very well understand why there is a prevailing skepticism towards the SUA phenomenon.

My dad is 56 years old. One can easily conclude that since my dad is relatively old, driver-error must be the reason. But on the other hand, my dad has been driving since he was 16. Does that make him an expert driver? NO. Since his old, does that make him any less of a driver. NO! I beg to disagree that age should be a factor in determining whether or not a reported SUA accident is true.

Let me quote a statement made by Dr. Antony Anderson (a fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and of the Institution of Diagnostic Engineers) regarding sudden unintended accelerations: "...These two possibilities—driver malfunction and electronic malfunction—are mutually exclusive, Anderson points out. Proponents of the “driver pedal error” hypothesis contend that where no physical evidence of a failed electronic component is found after the event, there could not have be an electronic malfunction and therefore the only plausible explanation is that it was the driver that malfunctioned. This is an example of the fallacy “Absence of proof is proof of absence,” Anderson argues. In fact, he says, “Absence of proof is not proof of absence” as intermittent electronic malfunctions do not necessarily leave permanent traces behind them after the event and may not be reproduceable on demand.”


Let's keep an open mind guys. We are entitled to our own opinions. But surmising something as untrue despite us not being the ones who experienced it is unfair.

Grabe ang damage. nangyayari pa rin ang SUA to this date. may findings na ba ang Mitsubishi regrading this? I think they have the way to check and determine if the car indeed "roared" at high rpm para malaman kung ano ba ang caused.

[Retz]

2010 Montero 4x4 GLS SE (vehicles was bought feb 2011). No cruise control.

Sir, may findings na ba ang Citimotors?