Mitsubishi recalls 130k Lancers, Outlanders over auxiliary glitches
Sun, May 10 2015
The larger of the two recalls relates to the blower motor that may not to an adequate job of defrosting the windshield and therefor impede the driver's visibility. The recall covers 76,958 units, specifically the 2009-2011 Lancer (manufactured between March 16, 2009, and March 30, 2011), 2010-2011 Lancer Sportback (June 17, 2009, to December 1, 2010), 2010-2011 Lancer Evolution (July 14, 2009, to January 7, 2011), 2009-2011 Outlander (February 10, 2009, to June 22, 2011), and 2011 Outlander Sport (August 26, 2010, to November 19, 2010).
The smaller recall still covers another 53,395 units due to a problem with the electronic control unit tasked with operating the headlights, taillights and windshield wipers. "Unstable voltage" in that dedicated ECU could cause those systems to function improperly – which, again, could impede the visibility and increase the risk of a crash. This recall covers the 2009-2010 Lancer (January 12, 2009, to July 6, 2010), 2010 Lancer Sportback (June 17, 2009, to June 8, 2010), 2010 Lancer Evolution (July 14, 2009, to August 4, 2010) and 2009-2010 Outlander (January 12, 2009, to August 27, 2010).
In both cases the manufacturer is not aware of any accidents or injuries resulting from the problems. But all the same, in both cases, owners will be notified to bring their Mitsus into their local dealer to have the relevant component (blower motor or ECU) replaced. Since the affected models and model years overlap, we suspect some owners may have both components replaced on their vehicles at the same time, but we're reaching out to Mitsubishi Motors North America for clarification.
If this array of recalled vehicles sounds familiar, you might be thinking of a similar campaign issued last October that covered some 166,000 Lancers and Outlanders from largely the same model years. That unrelated recall, however, related to the drive belt detaching from the engine.
Related Video:
RECALL Subject : Blower Motor may Fail
Report Receipt Date: APR 20, 2015
NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V233000
Component(s): VISIBILITY
Potential Number of Units Affected: 76,958
Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
SUMMARY:
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Lancer vehicles manufactured March 16, 2009, to March 30, 2011, 2010-2011 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured June 17, 2009, to December 1, 2010, 2010-2011 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured July 14, 2009, to January 7, 2011, 2009-2011 Outlander vehicles manufactured February 10, 2009, to June 22, 2011, and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to November 19, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the blower motor may fail.
CONSEQUENCE:
Failure of the blower motor may reduce the performance of the windshield defroster, diminishing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
REMEDY:
Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace a suspect blower motor, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-003.
NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
###
RECALL Subject : Loss of Lights and/or Windshield Wipers
Report Receipt Date: APR 20, 2015
NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V232000
Component(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Potential Number of Units Affected: 53,396
Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
SUMMARY:
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles manufactured January 12, 2009, to July 6, 2010, 2009-2010 Outlander vehicles manufactured January 12, 2009, to August 27, 2010, 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured June 17, 2009, to June 8, 2010, and 2010 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured July 14, 2009, to August 4, 2010. The affected vehicles have an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers. Due to a manufacturing error, the voltage inside this ECU may be unstable.
CONSEQUENCE:
Unstable voltage could result in intermittent failure of the vehicle's head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers. If the headlights and/or windshield wipers fail, the driver could have reduced visibility. If the tail lights fail, the vehicle could be less visible. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
REMEDY:
Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected ECU, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-002.
NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Report Receipt Date: APR 20, 2015
NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V233000
Component(s): VISIBILITY
Potential Number of Units Affected: 76,958
Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
SUMMARY:
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Lancer vehicles manufactured March 16, 2009, to March 30, 2011, 2010-2011 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured June 17, 2009, to December 1, 2010, 2010-2011 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured July 14, 2009, to January 7, 2011, 2009-2011 Outlander vehicles manufactured February 10, 2009, to June 22, 2011, and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to November 19, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the blower motor may fail.
CONSEQUENCE:
Failure of the blower motor may reduce the performance of the windshield defroster, diminishing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
REMEDY:
Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace a suspect blower motor, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-003.
NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
###
RECALL Subject : Loss of Lights and/or Windshield Wipers
Report Receipt Date: APR 20, 2015
NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V232000
Component(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Potential Number of Units Affected: 53,396
Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
SUMMARY:
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles manufactured January 12, 2009, to July 6, 2010, 2009-2010 Outlander vehicles manufactured January 12, 2009, to August 27, 2010, 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured June 17, 2009, to June 8, 2010, and 2010 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured July 14, 2009, to August 4, 2010. The affected vehicles have an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers. Due to a manufacturing error, the voltage inside this ECU may be unstable.
CONSEQUENCE:
Unstable voltage could result in intermittent failure of the vehicle's head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers. If the headlights and/or windshield wipers fail, the driver could have reduced visibility. If the tail lights fail, the vehicle could be less visible. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
REMEDY:
Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected ECU, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-002.
NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
By Noah Joseph
See also: Europe on track to buy more PHEVs than hybrids by 2019, Mitsubishi profits in North America for first time in seven years, Recharge Wrap-up: Phoenix Cars delivers ZEUS to Navy, Volt saves gas compared to i-MiEV.