Mitsubishi Motors UK is recalling Lancer Evolution IV and V models imported unofficially almost a year after the recall was issued in Japan. It has taken until now to track the vehicles down, the company says.

156 cars are involved, all built between December 1996 and July 1998 and most were unofficially imported via the grey market.

Their owners will be written to in the next few weeks by Mitsubishi Motors in the UK and asked to contact their nearest Mitsubishi dealer, or where applicable Ralliart UK, to have the repair work carried out free of charge.

The recall involves the replacement of the active yaw control electronic control unit (ECU), which had been improperly programmed. Active yaw control improves high performance handling of 4-wheel drive cars. The ECU controls the power split to the left and right rear wheels. If the ECU were to fail, the clutches in the differential would not engage and could cause damage to the rear axle differential gear. There have been no reported failures in the UK.

Commenting on this latest recall of Japanese domestic cars imported via the 'grey' unofficial market, Jim Tyrrell managing director of Mitsubishi in the UK said, "Although we were not responsible for importing these cars and Mitsubishi Motors in Japan were not responsible for them coming to the UK, it seems yet again we have to clear up the problems caused by unofficial importers. We are doing this because we again want to protect customers and the good name of our products even when we have not been involved in the importation or sale of the vehicle."