Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Lancer vehicles

Apr 20, 2015 — Recall Campaign #15V233000

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.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 76,958 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

15V233000

Manufacturer:	Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Recall date:	April 20, 2015
NHTSA Campaign #:	15V233000
Units affected:	76,958

Description:: 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.
Consequeces:: 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.
Corrective action:: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace a suspect blower motor, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. 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.

Affects the following:

2011 MITSUBISHI LANCER Complaints
While driving the vehicle the headlights will turn off at random intervals. The passenger side rear tail light is out and remains out despite changing the bulb. Water leaks through a gap in the body into the light and the trunk. Headlights need to be reliable in order to ensure safety and visibility, especially at night and during inclement weather. My father is a retired auto mechanic and has been doing his best to troubleshoot the problem. I am experiencing financial hardship at the moment and I cannot afford to bring my vehicle anywhere that would charge. There are no warnings, the lights just stop working periodically and the tail light stopped working about a week ago.;
2011 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION Complaints
AFTER FILLING UP ON GASOLINE, MY 4 YEAR OLD MENTIONED THAT SHE SMELLED GAS IN THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY GOT HOME AND PULLED INTO MY GARAGE AND SMELLED IT, TOO. THEN NEXT MORNING, MY GARAGE WAS OVERWHELMED WITH THE FUMES. AFTER HAVING A MECHANIC INSPECT THE CAR, HE FOUND GAS WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK, WHERE THE FUEL PUMP GOES. APPARENTLY, IT WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED, WHICH CAUSED THE PLASTIC FUEL PUMP HOUSING ATTACHED TO IT TO CRACK AND SUBSEQUENTLY LEAK FUEL EVERYWHERE. THIS FUEL PUMP HOUSING IS LOCATED DIRECTLY BENEATH MY SON'S CAR SEAT, ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BACK SEAT. THIS IS A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD. AFTER REACHING OUT TO OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE, APPARENTLY THIS CORROSION IS VERY COMMON. BUT MY CAR IS NOT EVEN 6 YEARS OLD, WITH ONLY 48K MILES (PURCHASED IT NEW ON 12/27/2011). THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING ON SUCH A RELATIVELY NEW CAR.;
2011 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER Complaints
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection? The engine experienced catastrophic internal failure. A connecting rod broke and punctured the engine block, rendering the vehicle completely inoperable. This failure is consistent with overheating and internal engine damage. The vehicle is currently available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The failure occurred suddenly while driving, without warning. The vehicle lost power immediately, which could have resulted in loss of control, inability to accelerate, and exposure to traffic hazards. This created a serious safety risk to myself and others on the road. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? An independent mobile mechanic inspected the vehicle and confirmed catastrophic engine failure. Based on the condition of the engine and damage observed, the failure is consistent with severe overheating and internal mechanical breakdown. Full written diagnosis may be pending. Dealer inspection: UNKNOWN”) Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer. Insurance has been notified and may conduct an inspection. The MD state trooper deemed the car inoperable and tagged it. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or symptoms prior to the failure? There were no warning lights, messages, or indications of an issue prior to the failure. The incident occurred suddenly and without warning the same day the vehicle was purchased. At the time of failure, the vehicle had an open and unremedied safety recall (SR-18-001 – Drive Belt Auto Tensioner, NHTSA Campaign #18V069). This defect can cause the drive belt to detach, disabling the water pump and leading to rapid engine overheating. The failure I experienced is consistent with this defect. . The incident occurred day of pur;
2011 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT Complaints
The contact owns a 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH in the rain, the windshield wipers were fully engaged; however, wiper motor failed to operate as intended. The failure obstructed the driver's visibility, preventing the driver from safely operating the vehicle, creating a visibility hazard. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that after a while the windshield wipers started to function as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V461000 (VISIBILITY); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.;