Mitsubishi Outlander, Outlander Sport recalled for windshield wiper woes
Mitsubishi is recalling roughly 195,000 U.S. vehicles to fix problems with their windshield wipers. The recall affects Outlander and Outlander Sport crossovers, spanning from model years 2007 to 2015.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the reasons for recalling those two vehicles are slightly different, but in both cases, corrosion can prevent the windshield wipers from working properly.
ALSO SEE: 2018 Volkswagen Golf gets big tech, under hood upgrades
In the Outlander, that corrosion can affect a key ball joint:
"In the event that water drops down through the back side of the front deck garnish (the body piece between the hood and windshield), the front wiper link ball joint may experience excessive moisture and corrode. If this occurs, the resin case of the ball joint will wear prematurely due to the ball joint corrosion and the wiper link may ultimately separate causing the windshield wipers to stop operating."
READ: What will the auto industry look like under Trump?
In the Outlander Sport, corrosion can affects the wiper motor itself:
"Water can potentially drop down onto the front wiper motor through a gap between the front deck garnish (the body piece between the hood and windshield) and the front windshield. If this occurs, water could potentially collect in the area of the wiper motor breathing hole. If the wiper motor is not operating, this water can then potentially enter the wiper motor through the breathing hole. If this occurs, such water intrusion over time may cause internal corrosion and/or electrical conduction failure resulting in nonoperation of the windshield wiper motor."
The wiper assembly on both models was manufactured by Japan's DENSO Corporation.
The recall affects the following vehicles:
- 2007-2013 Mitsubishi Outlander vehicles built between September 8, 2006 and March 29, 2013
- 2011-2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport vehicles built between August 26, 2010 and January 5, 2015
All told, the two recalls affect 100,082 Outlander vehicles and 94,534 Outlander Sport vehicles, or a total of 194,616 crossovers registered in the U.S.
Mitsubishi says that it will mail recall notices to owners of those vehicles, although it hasn't clarified when that'll happen. When it does, owners will be able to take their vehicles to Mitsubishi dealerships for service.
Repairing the Outlander will involve replacing the rubber boot on the ball joint mentioned above, which should prevent water intrusion. Dealers will also inspect the wiper motor crank arm for excessive play, and they may replace it if necessary.
On the Outlander Sport, dealers will replace the wiper motor.
Both repairs will be carried out free of charge.
If you believe that you own one of the vehicles listed above and have further questions, you're asked to call Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820 and inquire about recall SR-16-009 (Outlander) or SR-16-010 (Outlander Sport).
If you prefer, you can also call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 and ask about safety campaign #16V791000 (Outlander) or #16V792000 (Outlander Sport).
Read more from Internet Brands Automotive: