Cypress, Calif. – Feb. 28, 2018 – Mitsubishi Motors North America has recalled more than 158,000 vehicles potentially equipped with defective windshield wipers, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects multiple models, including:

• 2011-2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport sport utility vehicles produced between Aug. 26, 2010, and June 1, 2012.
• 2013-2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SUVs produced between July 20, 2012, and Nov. 25, 2015.
• 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SUVs produced between Jan. 11, 2016, and July 8, 2016.

Mitsubishi suspects all of the vehicles referenced in the recall contain the defective components.

The Defect

The models named in this recall feature front windshield wiper ball joint assemblies that are prone to corrosion. Specifically, the resin case protecting the ball joint oxidizes after coming into contact with moisture and degrades at an accelerated rate, leading the ball joint to separate from the wiper link and completely impair wiper functionality. This poses a serious safety hazard to drivers, as they may not be able to clear their windshields when navigating inclement weather. However, Mitsubishi has not received field reports connecting any accidents or injuries connected to the defective parts.

Timeline of Events

The Japanese automaker received a report in March 2010 detailing an instance in which a driver operating an Outlander with limited windshield wiper functionality, according to an NHTSA chronology document. Mitsubishi launched an investigation and found that the windshield wiper ball joint on the vehicle had corroded but was unable to pinpoint the root cause of the oxidization. Between March 2010 and September 2015, the automotive company monitored the field for similar incidents. Over this time, the company received 10 reports mentioning corroded wiper ball joints.

In February 2015, Mitsubishi received another field report referencing the problem, which had caused the complete loss of windshield wiper functionality. Engineers conducted additional environmental tests in an effort to replicate the problem but could not do so. This led them to assume that the corrosion was a result of high-pressure washing. Mitsubishi continued the limited monitoring program through September 2016. During this time, the company conducted laboratory tests that revealed the front deck garnishes on the Outlander Sport may degrade over time, leading to moisture penetration in the vicinity of the windshield wiper ball joint. This finding led Mitsubishi to conduct a voluntary recall in October 2016 that applied to stock Outlander models and excluded the Sport variation.

In November 2017, the automaker began field monitoring for the Outlander Sport. Mitsubishi received some reports related to the Outlander Sport over this time but the claim rate failed to surpass that of the stock model. Nevertheless, the automotive company decided to conduct a voluntary recall Feb. 2, 2018, to reduce the likelihood of harm to drivers. Dealers received official notification Feb. 23, 2018.

The Solution

Mitsubishi has directed dealers to replace the windshield wiper rods and motor crank arms in affected vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgment document. The automaker will notify owners via first-class mail April 10, 2018. Those in need of more immediate assistance can connect with Mitsubishi customer service personnel at (888) 648-7820. Callers should use the internal recall reference code SR-18-004. Owners can also reach out to the NHTSA directly using its Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Cypress, Calif. – Feb. 14, 2018 – Mitsubishi Motors North America has recalled more than 170,000 vehicles possibly equipped with corrosion-prone and improperly installed brake components, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

The safety campaign affects 2014-2016 Mitsubishi Outlander sport utility vehicles produced between April 12, 2013, and Feb. 2, 2016, as well as 2013-2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SUVs manufactured between July 20, 2012, and July 8, 2016. The Japanese automaker suspects all of the models referenced in the action contain the defective components.

The Defect

Affected vehicles could contain parking brake shafts and rear brake caliber boots that are not properly water-sealed. As a result, moisture could penetrate both of these fixtures and cause extensive corrosion damage. Additionally, these models feature defective automatic brake pad adjusters. Together, these parts greatly inhibit braking functionality and therefore pose a serious threat to occupants. However, Mitsubishi has not received reports connecting the defective components to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

In October 2014, Mitsubishi received a field report from a dealer in the U.K. outlining an instance of rear brake disintegration. The automaker launched an investigation and in October 2014 came to the conclusion that corrosion had caused the parking brake shaft to stick. Engineers took this data and began developing a production solution, which debuted in January 2016. At this point, assembly crews began coating all parking brake components in an anticorrosion covering. Mitsubishi launched an extended field monitoring program to measure the effectiveness of the coated components.

As this situation unfolded, Mitsubishi dealt with another developing safety issue centered on brake assemblies. In February 2015, the company received a field report from the Japanese market that referenced nonworking automatic brake pad adjusters. Mitsubishi engineers investigated the issue for more than one year but could not pinpoint a root cause. They did, however, find that one of the washers installed on one of the problematic brake calibers was scratched. Investigators began working with operations to develop a technical solution that would prevent scratching while also moving forward with their root cause analysis.

In October 2016, Mitsubishi introduced new washers made of stronger material that were impervious to scratching. The investigation moved forward.

Nearly one year later in September 2017, compliance officials at the company discovered that its brake caliber supplier, Akebono Brake Industry, had performed ineffective post-production inspections. This resulted in the release of defective calibers that did not meet predetermined production specifications. These unfit features, combined with the scratched washers, affected the performance of brake the pad automatic adjusters, which in turn led to decreases in braking performance due to increased pad wear.

On Jan. 19, 2018, quality assurance personnel met and decided that a voluntary safety recall aimed at addressing both braking issues was necessary.

The Solution

Mitsubishi intends to direct dealers to inspect and, if necessary, replace the rear brake calibers and parking brake boots on affected vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgment document. The car company plans to notify dealers Feb. 9 and reach out to owners via first-class mail March 27.

Owners in need of more immediate assistance can connect with Mitsubishi customer service staff at (888) 648-7820. Callers should use the internal recall reference code SR-18-002. Owners can also speak with the NHTSA using its Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Cypress, Calif. – Feb. 13, 2018 – Mitsubishi Motors North America has recalled more than 141,000 vehicles potentially equipped with defective drive belt components, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects multiple models, including:

• 2009-2012 Mitsubishi Lancer sedans produced between March 20, 2008, and Nov. 17, 2011.
• 2010-2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback sedans produced between June 17, 2009, and Nov. 15, 2011.
• 2008-2012 Mitsubishi Outlander sport utility vehicles produced between June 25, 2008, and Nov. 16, 2011.
• 2011-2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SUVs produced between Aug. 26, 2010, and Dec. 15, 2011.

The Japanese automaker suspects all the vehicles referenced in the recall contain the defective features.

The Defect

The models included in the safety action could contain drive belt automatic tensioners whose flanges are prone to cracking. Such an event could lead to complete drive belt detachment, resulting in the immediate termination of engine and power steering operations, and increasing the likelihood of an accident. As a result, the defective part poses a serious threat to occupants. However, Mitsubishi has not received reports connecting the any accidents or injuries to the defect.

Drivers with vehicles on the verge of shutting down due to drive belt automatic tensioner fracturing will see the battery charge warning light illuminate.

Timeline of Events

Mitsubishi received a field report in September 2010 describing an instance of automatic tensioner breakage. This prompted the company to launch an investigation into the issue to ascertain a root cause. In December 2011, engineers for the automaker found that production staff had swapped the bearing in the automatic tensioner for a lead-free alternative in March 2008 and suspected that the new product was cracking when operating in high-load environments. Mitsubishi reshaped the bearing to reduce surface stress and initiated a field monitoring campaign with an expiration date of November 2015.

In December 2015, the car manufacturer reviewed the results of the four-year field monitoring program and began another program scheduled to conclude in January 2018.

Last month, Mitsubishi conducted another data review and found the occurrence of automatic tensioner breakage was higher than expected and increasing. The company called for a voluntary safety recall Jan. 19 to address the problem.

The Solution

Mitsubishi intends to direct dealers to replace the drive belt tensioners in affected vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgment document. The automaker will notify dealers Feb. 9 and reach out to owners via first-class mail March 27. Those in need of more immediate assistance can contact Mitsubishi customer service at (888) 648-7820. Callers should use the internal recall identification code SR-18-001. Owners can also contact the NHTSA using its Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Cypress, Calif. – Feb. 8, 2018 – Mitsubishi Motors North America has recalled more than 56,600 vehicles potentially equipped with defective sunroof framing components, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects multiple models, including:

• 2008-2010 Mitsubishi Lancer sedans produced between Jan. 15, 2007, and March 3, 2010.
• 2009-2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution sport sedans produced between Sept. 1, 2008, and Oct. 30, 2009.
• 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback sedans produced between June 17, 2009, and Oct. 30, 2009.
• 2007-2010 Mitsubishi Outlander sport utility vehicles produced between Sept. 8, 2006, and Nov. 3, 2009.

The automaker suspects all vehicles referenced in the action contain the defective components.

The Defect

Affected models feature improperly manufactured polyurethane sunroof frames that may degrade in humid or high temperature environments and lead to complete detachment of the sunroof glass. This poses a serious safety risk to occupants, as the falling glass could not only cause injury but also increase the likelihood of an accident. That said, Mitsubishi has not received reports connecting the defect to accidents or injuries of any kind.

Timeline of Events

Mitsubishi received a field report from the Japanese market in March 2015 detailing an instance in which the sunroof glass installed in a vehicle detached from the sunroof frame. This prompted the company to launch an investigation in collaboration with its sunroof assembly supplier, the Webasto Japan Company. Between April 2015 and December 2017, the two parties carried out detailed field investigations and performed internal tests in an effort to duplicate the outcome described in the original report.

In December 2017, Mitsubishi engineers confirmed that Webasto had changed the polyurethane material it used in its sunroof frames in 2009, switching to a more aesthetically appealing alternative that also seemed to exhibit better bonding. The report received in the March 2015 seemed to contradict this assessment and Mitsubishi deemed the material defective, postulating that it lost bonding power in hot, humid weather.

On Jan. 19, the automaker initiated a voluntary safety recall to address the problem.

The Solution

Mitsubishi intends to direct dealers to replace the sunroof assemblies in affected models free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgment document. The company plans to notify dealers Feb. 9 and reach out to owners via first-class mail March 27.

Those in need of more immediate assistance can connect with Mitsubishi customer service personnel at (888) 648-7820. Callers should use the internal recall reference code SR-18-003. Owners can also reach out the NHTSA directly using the agency’s toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Cypress, Calif. – Oct. 10, 2017 – Mitsubishi (OTCMKTS:MSBHF) has recalled around 66,000 vehicles possibly equipped with defective Takata air bag assemblies, according to documentation filed with the National Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer sedans.

Recall summary

The cars referenced in the campaign are likely to contain Takata air bag assemblies with defective inflators prone to rupture during deployment. These fixtures pose a serious threat to occupants, as metal debris is emitted and dispersed throughout the cabin at high speeds when inflator ruptures occur. Dozens of other car manufacturers across the globe have been forced to recall models equipped with the Takata air bag assemblies addressed in this campaign. Automakers in the U.S. have recalled more than 42 million vehicles with Takata-made air bags, according to Car and Driver. At least 17 people have died as a result of these features, The New York Times reported.

In Oct. 2014, Mitsubishi recalled more than 11,000 Lancers believed to be equipped with Takata air bag inflators, according to the NHTSA. The automaker then initiated a field collection effort to recover air bag parts from affected models for further evaluation. Takata engineers reviewed the air bag components recovered from the field to see if they were actually defective. The parts provider submitted the results of the tests to Mitsubishi Nov. 19, 2004. Takata personnel had analyzed 12 inflators, with only one showing signs of abnormal inflation. The two parties convened with NHTSA officials to discuss the part, which came from a vehicle used in southern Florida.

On Nov. 24, Mitsubishi decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall that included models from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas. The campaign also covered vehicles sold in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa. On May 27, 2015, the automaker expanded this recall to include all 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer sedans, as well as 2006 models containing problematic Takata SPI inflators.

Between May 2015 and September 2017, Mitsubishi service teams replaced the inflators in these vehicles with like-for-like temporary parts as a stopgap measure, until permanent replacements were ready. In September 2017, the automaker finished an internal evaluation of the replacement parts, ultimately finding them satisfactory. With the replacements in hand, the car manufacturer decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall to address all of the unrepaired vehicles covered in the two previous actions.

Mitsubishi notified dealers Oct. 5.

The repair

The automaker has directed dealers to replace the defective Takata air bag inflators in affected vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgment document. Mitsubishi plans to notify owners via first-class mail Oct. 22.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Around 66,000 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date information was available – 10,536 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Note: June 24, 2021

We have noticed a large number of readers are interested in this recall. For that reason, we have added the last section where drivers can check if their vehicle is part of this recall and included the recall completion rate. The article has also been updated to reflect the latest editorial standards.