TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Mitsubishi Motors Corp. will recall 650,109 Minica, Toppo BJ and Toppo BJ Wide minicars in Japan as the engine's air intake duct could drop out, resulting in a fire, the automaker said Thursday.
The recall comes after reports of 24 fire accidents that have occurred since August 2003, allegedly due to the problem. In addition, 68 other problems with the vehicles have been reported.
The vehicles were produced between September 1998 and May 2011.
Mitsubishi initially attributed the accidents to maintenance problems but has concluded that the vehicles should be recalled after its reinvestigation as recommended by the transport ministry.