Mitsubishi Lancer, Lancer Evo, Outlander recalled for corrosion
Mitsubishi is recalling nearly 175,000 vehicles from the 2002-2013 model years to address a potential corrosion problem.
The issue affects the front lower control arms, which help control a vehicle's direction. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that in some vehicles, the corrosion could be so severe that the arms might detach, causing the driver to lose control of the car and dramatically increasing the risk of a crash.
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As with many corrosion-related recalls, this one is linked to the salts that many states use to de-ice roads during winter months. Accordingly, this one is limited to vehicles that have ever been sold or registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, or the District of Columbia.
The recall affects the following models:
- 2002-2007 Mitsubishi Lancer
- 2003-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
- 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Wagon
- 2003-2006 Mitsubishi Outlander
- 2007-2013 Mitsubishi Outlander V-6
Mitsubishi believes that 174,382 vehicles in the U.S. are affected.
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Mitsubishi will mail recall notices to owners, asking them to take their vehicles to dealerships for service. Dealers will inspect the vehicles' front cross member, where the control arms attach. In some cases, a sealing agent will be used to protect the cross member from corrosion. In cases where corrosion has already progressed, the front cross member will be replaced with a new one that's been treated with an anti-corrosion agent.
If you own one of these vehicles and have questions, you can contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820 and ask about recall SR-16-003. You can also call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 and inquire about safety campaign #16V458000.