2003 Mitsubishi Outlander: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Aug 27, 2024 · Suspension · 188,000 miles · IA

The contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle came to an immediate stop and did not return to normal operation. The contact noticed that the front control arm had detached. No warning light was illuminated. The contact researched and became aware of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V458000 (Suspension). The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to the residence. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was included in the recall but already had been serviced under the recall; however, the failure occurred. The failure mileage was 188,000.

Filed Dec 4, 2019 · Suspension · 120,000 miles · NY

Rear control arms are rusted through, there was a recall for the front and had the repairs done. The front control arm recall was due to poor rust proofing during manufacturing. The rear has the same problem. Cannot realign rear wheels and rear sway bar bracket broke free entirely. Vehicle is now stationary as it cannot be driven.

Filed Dec 1, 2017 · Suspension · 148,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi outlander. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v458000(suspension); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Dorsett automotive in terre haute, in refused to perform the repair because the passenger side outer tie rod and lower control arm needed to be repaired before the recall repair could be completed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the components had to be repaired before the remedy could be performed. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

Filed Oct 4, 2017 · Suspension · 150,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi outlander. While driving unknown speeds, the control arm, ball joint, cross members, and cv axle detached. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and later towed to savannah mitsubishi (8203 white bluff rd, savannah, ga 31406, phone number: (912) 226-6200) where it was diagnosed that the cross members were corroded through and caused the cv axle, ball joint, and control arm to detach. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v458000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would not repair the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Jan 17, 2017 · Steering · DE

Received a safety recall notice in august 2016. As of this date the part to repair the vehicle is not available. Have call mitsubishi several times and they keep saying the part is being processed. Confusion as to whether the parts are sent to a dealer for repair or if the vehicle needs to be inspected first and then the part is ordered by the dealer. The dealer claims that the vehicle needs to be inspected first then the part is ordered if necessary. Mitsubishi states that they will determine how many parts to send to what dealers. Confusion. Nearest dealer to me is 3 to 4 hours one way trip. If the vehicle needs to be inspected first before the part is ordered then if will have to make two 6 to 8 hour round trips. How the dealer knows how many parts to send to what dealers does't make sense. This part is needed to prevent the vehicle's steering from failing. The part is the lower control arm. Please clear this up for me.

Filed Aug 29, 2016 · Steering, Suspension · 45,432 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi outlander. While driving 35 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound when the brake pedal was depressed and the front end of the vehicle shook uncontrollably. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that it needed a wheel alignment and the tie rod needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred intermittently. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v458000 (suspension); however,the part was unavailable for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,432.

Filed Aug 24, 2016 · Suspension · ME

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi outlander. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, it was noticed that there had been extensive premature rust and corrosion on the lower control arm and the front sub-frame to the point that the part might fracture. The contact later received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v458000 (suspension), but was unable to drive the vehicle due to the failure. The contact indicated that the vehicle needed to be towed to the dealer and was uncertain of when the vehicle would be repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the condition and they provided no solution to get the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was not available. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jul 7, 2008 · Suspension · 23,000 miles · WI

I took my vehicle in to the dealer twice in 2006 about a "squeak" that I heard from the rear passenger side while driving. The first time a service tech drove the around the neighborhood, but couldn't hear anything. The second time...the same and your service department did not check it out on my request. The problem is that I wasn't simply that I was hearing things. At this point, the squeak is so pronounced that it can be heard from the inside and from the outside of the vehicle. I followed due diligence, so to speak, and sought help during the warranty period, but was not helped nor satisfied. On a recent brake inspection at sears, I was told that the suspension was the culprit. I suspected this all along. To date I have again visited my mitsubishi dealer and they have arrived at a cost to repair and replace the rear upper control arms and both lower bushings. The dealer should have taking care of this a long time ago rather than telling me that they didn't hear anything. On my visit today, I was told that it isn't really a safety issue. In my view, when a vehicle squeaks as though something is coming apart....it is a safety issue. On a recent brake inspection at sears, I was told that the suspension was the culprit. I suspected this all along. To date I have again visited my mitsubishi dealer and they have arrived at a cost to repair and replace the rear upper control arms and both lower bushings. The dealer should have taking care of this a long time ago rather than telling me that they didn't hear anything. On my visit today, I was told that it isn't really a safety issue. In my view, when a vehicle squeaks as though something is coming apart....it is a safety issue.

Filed Nov 26, 2007 · Suspension · 64,225 miles · NY

When car was first purchased told dealer it felt like back end was kickin out on wet roads,took it dealer was told they could find nothing. Several days later car spun out on way to work due to blow out. Had vehicle towed to dealer were upper and lower lats. Were replaced.(no old parts not available) car seemed ok for several months at which point it began to feel like it was sliding around in rear end again. Again dealer checked found nothing.. My husband threw a fit with dealer at which point a ball joint was replaced(part not available), in my opinion only to pacify us. The car has still never felt right. At which point the warranty has expired and the dealership refuses to even talk to us about this. Now four months after having four new tires mounted and balanced I have two rear tires so worn and damaged the belts are coming through them. I have taken the car to a private tech.to try to find anything that may be wrong. I am scared for myself and my family everytime I have to drive this car!

Filed Feb 13, 2007 · Seat belts, Suspension · 30,000 miles · MI

Tl*- contact owns a 2003 mitsubishi outlander, for which he had to replace the rear lower suspension arm 4 times. First time it was at 30,000 miles, second time at 48,000 miles, and the third time at 89,000 miles, and currently at 106,000 miles. The contact took vehicle to the same dealership , arnold automotive group in roseville, mi 4 times, and they stated that they didn't know why the part kept going bad. The contact the current mileage was 106000.*ak the left rear seat betl would not retract. The sway bar were replaced and the lower control arm was worn. Updated 03/30/07.

Filed Oct 18, 2004 · Steering · 32,000 miles · IN

Vehicle in for second repair of steering rack. First time the rack was replaced. Requested replacement again. Very rare failure, yet twice within 30 k miles? There is a variable pulsing and unequal pressure within the steering rack hydraulics. First instance 16000, second 31k miles. Additionally failed tie rod in this second instance. Being repaired at university mit. In bloomington, indiana, as in the first instance. Called mit. Cust svc and requested new rack and repair of tie rod as well as alignment. They state this to be an isolated, twice struck, defect issue and not a cross platform/vehicle model problem.