2008 Mitsubishi Outlander Recall

On certain vehicles, road salt can corrode the front cross-member (subframe). As a result, a lower control arm could eventually detach from the cross-member. This could cause a loss of vehicle control.

A loss of control can create the risk of a crash.

Mitsubishi will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the front cross-member (subframe). If no significant corrosion is found, the dealer will spray a sealing and anti-corrosion coating both inside and on the cross-member. If significant corrosion is found, the dealer will replace the cross-member.

On certain vehicles, the flange of the drive belt automatic tensioner may crack over time due to repetitive high load operations and stress concentration. This could cause the drive belt to detach, leading to battery depletion, which would result in a loss of motive power and a loss of power steering assist. These issues could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the auto tensioner with a countermeasure unit.

A failure of this component (electrical) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, the sunroof may not have been bonded properly and could separate from the vehicle. This could pose a risk to other road users, increasing the risk of injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the sunroof glass assembly.

A failure of this component (accessories) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, water may drain from the windshield cowl area and potentially collect in the area of the wiper motor breathing hole. If the wiper motor is not operating, water could potentially enter the wiper motor through the breathing hole. If this occurs, over time, it could result in corrosion and/or an electrical conduction failure, both of which could result in the wiper motor not operating. If the wiper motor were to stop operating, the windshield wipers would become inoperative, which could limit the driver’s visibility under certain operating conditions which may increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the wiper motor with an upgraded wiper motor that will prevent water intrusion.

A failure of this component (visual system) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, water may drain from the windshield cowl area onto the front wiper link ball joint. Over time, this could result in corrosion and/or wear to the joint, which could result in the separation of the wiper link ball. If separation were to occur, the windshield wipers could become inoperative, which could limit the driver’s visibility under certain operating conditions which may increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the rubber boot which covers the ball joint with a countermeasure one, and the wiper motor crank arm will also be inspected and replaced as necessary.

A failure of this component (visual system) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, road salt can corrode the front crossmember assembly, which may ultimately lead to separation of the control arm at the mounting point. This would allow the wheel to rotate off its designed axis, and could result in a loss of vehicle control and a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect the crossmember and apply an anti-corrosion treatment or replace the assembly, as required.

A failure of this component (structure) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, the drive belt material may cause abnormal pulley wear. If the vehicle is driven under this condition, the drive belt may become damaged from the worn pulley and detach, affecting electrical charging system and cooling system function and would illuminate the engine warning lamp(s) on the instrument panel. This could result in battery depletion and an overheated engine, resulting in a loss of motive power. Vehicles equipped with a hydraulic power steering system could also experience loss of power steering assist. These issues could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the drive belt, and the pulley will be replaced if it is found worn beyond a certain level.

A failure of this component (engine) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, a defect in the brake light switch could cause the brake lights to become inoperative. Failure of the brake lights to illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed could result in a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will replace the brake lamp switch.

A failure of this component (electrical) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

Certain 2013 model year vehicles with a 6-speed automatic transmission may have been manufactured with insufficient clearance between the power steering pressure tube and the bosses on the converter housing of the automatic transaxle. This may cause the power steering pressure tube to rust from abrasive contact between the two components. In the worst case, a pin hole could develop and allow for power steering fluid leakage, which can result in the loss of power steering assist and increase the risk of crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will replace the power steering pressure tube and return tube. Note: Only a limited number of 2007 to 2012 model year vehicles equipped with a replacement automatic transaxle with the bosses on the converter housing are included in the recall population.

A failure of this component (steering) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain 2012 to 2014 model year vehicles, due to improper manufacturing of the oil seal boss in certain transfer assemblies, the oil seal can become out of position and allow automatic transmission fluid to enter into the transfer assembly, resulting in reduced automatic transmission fluid pressure in the transaxle. This condition would illuminate the “Automatic Transmission” (A/T) warning light in the instrument panel and could result in the inability to shift gears or to drive the vehicle, increasing the risk of crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer assembly. Note: Only a limited number of 2007 to 2010 model year vehicles equipped with a replacement transfer assembly are included in the recall population.

A failure of this component (powertrain) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, the brake booster check valve may stick closed when the engine is shut off. When the vehicle is re-started and put into motion, under certain driving conditions (very slow vehicle manoeuvres), there may be insufficient initial braking assist, which could temporarily increase the stopping distance. This could result in a vehicle crash causing property damage, personal injury or death. Correction: Dealers will replace the brake booster check valve.

A failure of this component (brakes) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, the stop lamp switch may have been contaminated with silicone grease during vehicle assembly. This could prevent proper brake lamp operation. Failure of the brake lamps to illuminate when the brakes are applied may result in the following road users being unaware of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury or death. Correction: Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch.

A failure of this component (lights and instruments) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles not equipped with the power seat option, the unused harness connector for the power seat feature is placed directly on the floorboard, underneath the carpeting. If a vehicle occupant enters the vehicle with a sufficient amount of snow on their feet containing road salt, it is possible for the melted snow mixture to soak the carpet and allow the salt-water solution to come into contact with the unused power seat harness connector. As a result, the connector terminal may corrode and allow current to flow, resulting in the gradual heating and melting of the connector. This could result in a vehicle fire, causing personal injury or death. Correction: Dealers will relocate the floor harness beneath both the passenger and driver seats to an area above the carpet.

A failure of this component (electrical) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).