Mitsubishi Recall Issued Over Control Arms Which May Detach Due To Corrosion
More than 140,000 Mitsubishi Outlander and Lancer vehicles have been recalled due to a risk the front control arms may rust and break, which could cause drivers to lose control of the vehicles.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the Mitsubishi Outlander and Lancer recall on May 26, indicating the front control arms and cross members were not adequately coated with the proper rust protection to sustain long term exposure to anti-freezing road treatments.
The affected vehicles are equipped with a suspension system that contains control arms coated with general steel sheets. These may rust faster when consistently exposed to snowmelt water and anti-freezing agents, such as salt, used on roadways which get snow every year.
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Learn MoreOfficials warn that in the event of significant corrosion occurring, the lower control arm could eventually break off, resulting in loss of vehicle control and an increased risk of a crash and injury.
Mitsubishi indicates it first learned about the issue in June 2016, after receiving a consumer complaint of a detached lower control arm. After a years-long investigation, Mitsubishi determined field reports related to lower control arm detachments were significantly higher in states that experience seasonal snowfalls, where roadways are treated with salt mixtures.
According to Mitsubishi’s defect investigation, Lancer and Outlander vehicles manufactured prior to 2016 were designed with control arms containing general steel sheet coverings, which are subject to an accelerated course of corrosion. The manufacturer indicated the steel sheets were replaced with Zinc-coated steel sheets in 2016, which have higher corrosion resistance.
The recall includes certain model year 2008 through 2010 Lancer, 2010 Lancer Sportback models, 2008 through 2013 Outlander, and 2011 through 2016 Outlander Sport models that were originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
The vehicles were manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. They were distributed throughout the United States to licensed dealers.
Mitsubishi announced it will begin notifying customers of the recall by mail, with instructions on how to schedule a free repair appointment at their local dealer. The dealers will be instructed to analyze the level of corrosion and either apply a sealing and anti-corrosion or replace the front cross member with a model made of anti-corrosion material.
The recall is expected to begin on July 14, 2020 when repair parts become available. Customers with additional questions or concerns may contact Mitsubishi Customer Service at 1-888-648-7820 and reference the recall campaign number SR-20-003.
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4 Comments
CamilleNovember 25, 2023 at 7:36 pm
I purchased a 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander on July 26, 2023 at the Ciocca Subaru dealer, along with every warranty possible- dealer warranty, extended warranty, factory warranty, tire and collision, loaners for service repairs- all the bells and whistles. On November 22, 2023, I was leaving the grocery store coasting in the parking lot and the control arm snapped. Luckily I was able to pull over to t[Show More]I purchased a 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander on July 26, 2023 at the Ciocca Subaru dealer, along with every warranty possible- dealer warranty, extended warranty, factory warranty, tire and collision, loaners for service repairs- all the bells and whistles. On November 22, 2023, I was leaving the grocery store coasting in the parking lot and the control arm snapped. Luckily I was able to pull over to the side of the parking lot and call roadside assistance (which never showed up) The next day was Thanksgiving so I had to wait until Friday to contact the dealer. After contacting both dealerships (Subaru and Mitsubishi), I was informed that I would have to get my car repaired at Mitsubishi but Ciocca Subaru would pay Mitsubishi the labor costs to install the brakes that they FAILED to install during the pre delivery inspection, and Ciocca Subaru would not be able to provide a loaner since Mitsubishi has to do the repairs. Mitsubishi stated that they would not provide a loaner because the dealer of purchase's warranty should be providing that. Mitsubishi is saying I will have to pay for all repairs because the warranty does not cover the issue. At the time of purchase I was told that everything on the car was covered. I now have no transportation for my toddler and I and an expensive car note that pays for what exactly, eventually a repair bill of who knows how much, a car that sounds unsafe, and the feelings of being taken advantage of.
KhiaFebruary 16, 2023 at 8:38 am
I have an 03 Mitsubishi lancer es, took to dealership 4/21 for the recall, they said no corrosion that it looked great, so they put a half butt layer of grease under my car. Yesterday thankfully only driving thru town at 25mph, control arm snapped right at crossmember, causing the car to come to an abrupt, rough stop and causing driver side tire to jam into wheel well and snapping my axel. I had 1[Show More]I have an 03 Mitsubishi lancer es, took to dealership 4/21 for the recall, they said no corrosion that it looked great, so they put a half butt layer of grease under my car. Yesterday thankfully only driving thru town at 25mph, control arm snapped right at crossmember, causing the car to come to an abrupt, rough stop and causing driver side tire to jam into wheel well and snapping my axel. I had 1 of my kids in the car, we were stuck in the road as my tire was jammed. If we had been on the highway going 70 and and this had happened, my daughter and i would not be here today! I am going after Mitsubishi to fix my car, it is beyond damaged and a scar of a lifetime!
CarlNovember 23, 2020 at 5:23 pm
I have a 2007 endeavor the rear sub frame has rusted away due to corrosion almost resulting in accident if not noticed this needs to be addressed before someone gets killed
ChristinNovember 2, 2020 at 4:15 pm
I'm pretty sure that my 2003 Outlander front control arm went out on my way home from work which resulted in my car accident that I am lucky to be alive from what I was told. I had tried to get the recall taking care of it as soon as I got the notice I called Subaru Mitsubishi where I purchased the vehicle locally and to my surprise, they told me they couldn't help me because they were no longer t[Show More]I'm pretty sure that my 2003 Outlander front control arm went out on my way home from work which resulted in my car accident that I am lucky to be alive from what I was told. I had tried to get the recall taking care of it as soon as I got the notice I called Subaru Mitsubishi where I purchased the vehicle locally and to my surprise, they told me they couldn't help me because they were no longer the Mitsubishi dealership they were just Subaru now but the logo was still on the building I called them three separate times and they still answer the phone Subaru Mitsubishi ext. the closest place that I could take it to get fixed it was about an hour away and could only be done Monday - Friday during working hours which did not work for me because my work schedule was Monday-Friday I worked anywhere from 65 to 75 hours a week and then had weekends off, I called the recall hotline I believe and they said that they documented everything I told them, I bought it locally so if I had to get it fixed it can be fixed locally and the time frame hours available did not work for me nor did driving an unsafe vehicle over an hour away as well as be able to get off work to even try to do it and it would take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours, I asked if there was any way that they can have it picked up so that I'm not driving it an hour away and that couldn't be done either everything I suggested to try and get my issues to be resolved pertaining to my individual situation and circumstances were shut down there was nothing they could do except for document what I was telling him, I'm lucky to be alive and lucky nobody else was involved although it has forever altered my life physically and mentally.