2007 Mitsubishi Outlander Suspension Problems

I was coming to a stop from 40 mph and CLUNK!!! The cross member on my suspension is rusted so severely that the wheel and steering column are in danger of being ripped apart. The car has 104,927 miles on it and is well cared for. Mitsubishi has recalls on this cross member part for 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander and other years in states that use salt on the roads. I feel this part is defective and I should have a recall that gets my car repaired. I believe my driving conditions mimic northern salted roadway conditions. I lived in upstate NY for 39 years. I now live in Florida and drive directly on the beach sand in New Smyrna Beach. I tow a boat in and out of salt water. My car is sprayed off with my boat and trailer after every trip. I know how to fight salt. The cross member is defective. My car is a V6 and fits the parameters of the recall perfectly except I'm not living in the North. My car engine is in perfect running condition. My car is too dangerous to drive because of the faulty cross member. I am lucky I had enough sense to take it to a local garage or I could have literally been killed trying to make it 25 miles to my dealership. I was going 40 mph and coming up to a red light I put my foot on the brake and CLUNK!! IT WAS SCARY SCARY!!! I drove directly to my local garage. They examined it on the 10th. They called my husband and I and said you need to see this damage. IT IS BAD! The cross member is rusted on the driver's side of the car and is a hairs breath away from complete failure. The passenger side is fine.

The contact owns a 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal and attempting to make a left turn, the cross member attached to the control arm failed. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent center to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V279000 (STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 205,000.

When visiting local dealership for a state inspection it was found the rear subframe of my 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander, 2WD Model XLS has rusted completely through. I an internet search it was found that this was a common occurrence and a highly dangerous issue and it would not pass for a safety inspection. It appears from the number of complaints posted on various message boards it is widely known that this inferior component exists in a number of years for this and other models in the Mitsubishi brand. While its was noted in posting that the Mitsubishi dealership recognized this defect as a recall item, it was not showing up in the NTSB safety recall list for my VIN [XXX] . Please advise as to the investigation into this serious component failure and the recall status via return email. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH over a bump in the road, and the front passenger’s side tie rod was fractured due to a corroded cross member, and the vehicle was undrivable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the front cross member and tie rod assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact stated that the VIN was included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 120,000.

The contact owns a 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while making a left turn at 10 MPH, the steering wheel jerked violently. The vehicle was stopped, and the contact became aware that the tire turned inward. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the front sub frame, drive axle, lower control arm, ball joint, and tie rods needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle was wobbling. The tire pressure monitoring system warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front subframe was corroded and the front lower control arms and ball joints needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V458000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 141,524.

The contact owns a 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the front driver's side A-arm separated from the vehicle and the vehicle stopped abruptly, causing the contact's body to slam against the steering wheel. The contact sustained back pains and received medical assistance. Upon towing the vehicle, the contact noticed that the entire subframe was severally corroded. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where the subframe was replaced. However, the dealer did not replace other corroded components. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle began to leak fluids after the repair was completed. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH and making a turn, the brake pedal was depressed but went to the floorboard and failed to respond. The contact engaged the electronic parking brake but it failed to respond. The contact then purposely crashed the passenger's side of the vehicle into the guard rail in order to stop the vehicle. The driver's air bag exploded, propelling burning chemicals that burned the contact's left arm. The contact did not seek medical assistance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE CRADLE TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TT *AS

PASSENGER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING. THIS SAME ISSUE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED TO NHTSA (COMPLAINT NUMBER: 11012748) FOR DRIVER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING AS WELL AS TO MITSUBISHI NORTH AMERICA (BUT GOT NOWHERE).

ON JANUARY 2, 2018 OUR LOCAL OVERNIGHT TEMPERATURE WAS A NEGATIVE (-)20 DEGREES F. THAT MORNING WHILE STILL IN MY DRIVEWAY, BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE AND THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING PENETRATED THE INNER SIDEWALL OF THE 18" TIRE AND THIS RESULTED IN THE TIRE BECOMING TWO DISTINCT PIECES. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD, IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS AND POSSIBLE DEADLY ACCIDENT. UPON CONTACTING MY DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT UPON SEARCHING THE MITSUBISHI DATABASE, THAT A TSB 14-33-002 WAS NO LONGER POSTED AT THE DEALER INTERNET ACCESS POINT, APPARENTLY IT HAD BEEN PURGED FROM THE SYSTEM. I LEARNED OF TSB-14-33-002 BY OTHER SEARCHING ONLINE. MITSUBISHI WOULD NOT COVER THE FAILURE, DESPITE IT'S SERIOUSNESS TO PUBLIC SAFETY. I AM CONCERNED THAT 2007 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDERS HAVE A METALLURGY PROBLEM OR FAULTY MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN, AND SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A NATIONAL SAFETY RECALL - AT LEAST IN COLDER CLIMATE STATES THAT USE CALCIUM CHLORIDE OR SALT ON THEIR ROADS. I HAVE THE CAR CURRENTLY IN A HEATED GARAGE AWAITING AN INSPECTION BY NHTSA OR MITSUBISHI. MY COMPLAINT IN WRITING TO MITSUBISHI REMAINS UNANSWERED. I SUGGEST THAT IF THESE VEHICLE SUFFER FAILED FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND ARE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THAT THE BROKEN COIL SPRING WILL BE CONSIDERED A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT RATHER THAN THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. IF THERE IS A CHAIN COLLISION INVOLVING OTHER VEHICLES, THEN AGAIN THE DRIVER MAY BE BLAMED AS THE CAUSE, WHEN IN REALITY THE FAILED SPRING WAS THE CAUSE. SUGGESTION: NHTSA MIGHT CHECK FOR ALL SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURE ACCIDENTS INVOLVING 2007 OUTLANDERS AND DETERMINE IF THEY SUFFERED BROKEN FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND A TORN UP FRONT TIRE. PHOTOS ATTACHED TO THIS REPORT. ADDITIONAL PHOTOS CAN BE TAKEN ONCE THE REPLACEMENT $260. SPRINGS ARRIVE AND WE REPLACE THEM, DOCUMENTING OUR FINDINGS. I AM WILLING TO SUBMIT FOR METALLURGY TESTS.

FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKEN . WHEN PULLING OUT FROM PARKING LOT HEARD A RATTLE AND POPPING SOUND HAD IT CHECK BY A MECHANIC AND FOUND THAT THE SPRING WAS BROKEN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ISLAND AUTO GROUP DEALER LOCATED AT 1590 HYLAN BLVD, STATEN ISLAND, NY 10305 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS HAD FAILED DUE TO CORROSION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,720.

DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION) AND 16V791000 (VISIBILITY); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V791000 (VISIBILITY), 14V564000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), AND 16V458000(SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE RECALLS COMPLETED DUE TO THE HOURS OF OPERATION OF THE DEALER AND THE DISTANCE NEEDED TO BE TRAVELED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V791000 (VISIBILITY). PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V564000(EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND 16V458000 (SUSPENSION).

Mitsubishi Motors has been contacted several times in the past about the ETACS system being faulty. The windshield wipers on this particular car went out in February, 2017, at which time they were contacted and rudely refused culpability. The car has had recall-related services completed: 2 windshield wiper recalls and a corrosion-related recall. I was told by the Mitsubishi tech in Asheville, NC that the recall on the wipers did not cover the faulty ETACS, "which is a common repair on 06-11 Mitsubishis." He was more than happy to give me a quote for more than $1,000 to replace the defective ETACS. We've replaced coil springs that snapped in two as I pulled out from my driveway with my children in tow - NOT covered by the recall because the mileage on the vehicle was 3,800 miles OVER Mitsubishi's pre-set mileage limit. I have had numerous problems out of the vehicle: coil springs snapped in two, ETACS failure, (still) non-functioning windshield wipers, corroded/rotted exhaust that cost nearly $1,000 to repair - not REPLACE but to REPAIR -, electrical failures related to headlights/interior lights/Bluetooth/cruise control, and severe cross member corrosion. I have reached out to Mitsubishi Motors several times since purchasing the vehicle, and other than speaking to extremely rude representatives three times by phone, no one has ever responded to me about my concerns. Most concerning right now: The anti-corrosion that was applied by the Mitsubishi dealership should have been a complete replacement of the front and back subframes, as BOTH are completely ROTTEN and CRUMBLING from rust! My daughter had been driving this vehicle with her baby in tow until recently! It is completely unacceptable that Mitsubishi Motors has not been held accountable and forced to fix these issues!

RECEIVED A RECALL FOR MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBERSR-16-009 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER16V791 RECALL STATUSRECALL INCOMPLETE, REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE SUMMARY 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. I'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH MY LOCAL DEALER AND NOTHING HAS BEEN RESOLVED 6 MONTHS LATER I KEEP BEING TOLD THE PARTS HAVEN'T COME IN YET. I ALSO RECEIVED A FOR A CORROSION ISSUE ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARM IN AUGUST OF 2016 SAME AS MY OTHER RECALL NO ANSWERS FOR THAT MANY MONTHS LATER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V791000 (VISIBILITY) AND 16V458000 (SUSPENSION) ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V458000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

THIS IS A SAFETY RECALL - CONTROL ARM HAS BECOME DETACHED WHILE DRIVING. THEY ARE SAYING IT WILL TAKE MORE THAN A MONTH TO GET IT FIXED YET REFUSE TO GIVE A CAR. WE HAVE BEEN WAITING PATIENTLY FOR OUR LETTER THAT THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AND THIS LET TO THE STEERING GOING OUT WHILE WE WERE DRIVING. - THIS IS NOT REASONABLE!