Recalls: Mitsubishi CJ Lancer
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Mitsubishi CJ Lancer
2008-09 Mitsubishi CJ Lancer: brake booster check valve sticks
In March 2009, a recall was issued for 2008 and 2009 Mitsubishi CJ Lancer models. After starting, if these vehicles were only driven at low speeds with minimal or no throttle opening, an increased brake pedal effort may be required on the first braking application because of brake booster check valve sticking (PRA 2009/10694). The recalled Mitsubishi CJ Lancer vehicles had VINs in the following ranges:
- JMFLMCX4A9U000201 to JMFLMCX4A9U000449;
- JMFLTCX4A9U000201 to JMFLTCX4A9U001795;
- JMFLTCX5A9U000201 to JMFLTCX5A9U000833;
- JMFSMCY4A9U000217 to JMFSMCY4A9U000463;
- JMFSTCY4A8U004043 to JMFSTCY4A8U013406;
- JMFSTCY4A9U000227 to JMFSTCY4A9U002956; and,
- JMFSTCY5A9U000216 to JMFSTCY5A9U001075.
Mitsubishi CJ Lancer: potential tear in tyre sidewall
In May 2010, a recall was issued for Mitsubishi CJ Lancer vehicles due to a potential tear in the tyre sidewall created during the wheel and tyre assembly process. Driving the vehicle in this condition could lead to a loss of air pressure (PRA 2010/11626). The recalled Mitsubishi CJ Lancer vehicles had VINs in the following ranges:
- JMFLMCX4AAU000216 to JMFLMCX4AAU000285;
- JMFLNCX5AAU000339 to JMFLNCX5AAU000402;
- JMFLTCX5AAU000367 to JMFLTCX5AAU000447;
- JFMSMCY4AAU000373 to JFMSMCY4AAU000530;
- JMFSNCY5AAU000572 to JMFSNCY5AAU000791; and,
- JMFSTCY5AAU000685 to JMFSTCY5AAU0001094.
2013-14 Mitsubishi CJ Lancer: gear selector pin may disengage
In August 2014, a recall was issued for Mitsubishi CJ Lancer vehicles that had five-speed manual transmissions and were manufactured from 19 May 2014 to 13 June 2014. In these vehicles, the gear selector lever bell crank assembly had a pin which may disengage when shifting into the reverse or fifth gear positions. The gear lever could feel loose when shifting to the reverse or fifth gear positions and, at worst, gear shifting may not be possible – a hazard to the driver and other road users (PRA 2014/14273).
2008-11 Mitsubishi CJ Lancer: acessory belt could be dislodged
In December 2014, a recall was issued for Mitsubishi CJ Lancer hatchbacks that had 2.0-litre 4B11 or 2.4-litre 4B12 engines and were manufactured from 28 May 2008 to 14 February 2011. Due to the use of inappropriate material for the ancillary equipment V-ribbed belt, the resin pulley may wear unevenly. Consequently, the belt could be damaged and come off the pulley. If this occurred, the ‘charge lamp’ would illuminate, battery charge would be depleted such that electrical power would be lost and the engine may overheat. On vehicles with hydraulic power-assisted steering, increased steering effort would be required as power steering assistance ceased (PRA 2014/14462). The recalled vehicles had VINs in the following ranges:
- JMF*MCX4A**000001 to JMF*MCX4A**000539;
- JMF*TCX4A**000001 to JMF*TCX4A**004038;
- JMF*TCX5A**000002 to JMF*TCX5A**001035;
- JMF*NCX4A**000002 to JMF*NCX4A**002636; and,
- JMF*NCX5A**000201 to JMF*NCX5A**000909.
2007-11 Mitsubishi CJ Lancer: accessory belt could dislodge
In December 2014, a recall was issued for Mitsubishi CJ Lancer sedans that had 2.0-litre 4B11 or 2.4-litre 4B12 engines and were manufactured from 21 March 2007 to 19 April 2011. Due to the use of inappropriate material for the ancillary equipment V-ribbed belt, the resin pulley may wear unevenly. Consequently, the belt could be damaged and come off the pulley. If this occurred, the ‘charge lamp’ would illuminate, battery charge would be depleted such that electrical power would be lost and the engine may overheat. On vehicles with hydraulic power-assisted steering, increased steering effort would be required as power steering assistance ceased (PRA 2014/14462). The recalled vehicles had VINs in the following ranges:
- JMF*MCY4A**000002 to JMF*MCY4A**000600;
- JMF*TCY4A**000003 to JMF*TCY4A**013406;
- JMF*TCY5A**000003 to JMF*TCY5A**001727;
- JMF*NCY4A**000003 to JMF*NCY4A**007209; and,
- JMF*NCY5A**000002 to JMF*NCY5A**001249.
Mitsubishi CJ Lancer: lights may fail to operate
In June 2016, a recall was issued for Mitsubishi CJ Lancer vehicles because the turn signal and lighting switch connector terminals could become worn during switch operation due to insufficient rigidity – this could result in an accumulation of oxidised dust on the connector terminals. Furthermore, excessive dust accumulation could act as an insulator, affecting terminal conductivity. Continued usage in this conduction could cause conduction failure such that the following may fail to operate or only operate intermittently: the headlamps, turn signal lamps, parking lamp, fog lamps, tail lamp, number plate lamp and cabin lamp. For the VINs of the recalled Mitsubishi CJ Lancer vehicles, please see PRA 2016/15466.
2009-10 Mitsubishi CJ Lancer: headlights and/or wipers may stop working
In June 2016, a recall was issued for 2009 and 2010 ‘model year’ Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles because an inappropriate manufacturing process of an electrical part could cause the voltage inside the ETACS ECU to be unstable – this could turn the headlights off and/or cause the windscreen wipers to become inoperable, thereby posing an accident hazard to the driver and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles, please see PRA 2016/15470.
2014-15 Mitsubishi CJ Lancer: engine may stall, fail to restart or enter ‘limp home’ mode
In October 2017, a recall was issued for Mitsubishi CJ and CF Lancer vehicles that were available for sale from 28 December 2014 to 6 February 2017. In these vehicles, the power relay(s) may generate excessive heat and fail. If this occurred, the engine could stall while the vehicle was being driven, fail to restart or enter ‘limp home’ mode and experience a loss of power – these symptoms all had the potential to increase the risk of a collision. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2017/16375.
2007-11 Mitsubishi CJ Lancer: sunroof glass could detach from frame
In February 2018, a recall was issued for 2008-10 ‘model year’ Mitsubishi CJ Lancer vehicles that were available for sale prior to 28 July 2011. In these vehicles, the outer frame adhesive for the sunroof could become weak due to inappropriate resin material such that the sunroof glass could detach from the frame while driving – this posed a collision risk to other road users and an injury risk to vehicle occupants. For the VINs of the recalled Mitsubishi CJ Lancer vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16622.
2008-13 Mitsubishi CJ Lancer: drive belt could disconnect
In February 2018, a recall was issued for 2008-12 ‘model year’ Mitsubishi CJ Lancer vehicles that were available for sale from 16 April 2008 to 23 January 2013. In these vehicles, the engine’s automatic tensioner flange could crack under high load driving conditions and this could cause the drive belt to fall off. If the drive belt fell off, the engine warning light would illuminate, power steering assistance would be lost, the battery would discharge and the engine may overheat and stall. For the VINs of the recalled Mitsubishi CJ Lancer vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16621.
Problems and faults: Mitsubishi CJ Lancer
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Mitsubishi CJ Lancer: ABS pump module failure
For the Mitsubishi CJ Lancer, the ABS pump module – located on the passenger’s side of the engine bay, near the firewall – is susceptible to failure. Symptoms of a failed ABS pump module include:
- The ‘ABS service required’ warning appears in the instrument cluster;
- The ‘ASC service required’ warning appears in the instrument cluster;
- The check engine light, ABS and ‘ASC Off’ warning lights illuminate; and,
- Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) ‘C2116 – pump motor voltage low’, ‘6116H – undocumented code’ and ‘24854 – undocumented code’ may be logged.
While Mitsubishi dealers may charge $2500 to replace the ABS pump module, independent auto electricians can repair the pump module for around $450 and installation can be an additional $300. AustralianCar.Reviews does not advise replacing a defective ABS pump module with a second hand unit since it is understood that the original unit had a design fault with the brushes within the pump motor.
Prior to replacing the ABS pump module, owners should check that the warning messages are not due to:
- A loose, dirty or wet wheel speed sensor; or,
- A low-charge battery since the C2116 fault code is logged when voltage drops below 12 volts. It has been suggested that the logic of the ABS pump module for 2010 model year Mitsubishi CJ Lancer vehicles prevents the C2116 fault from being cleared when normal voltage is restored, though AustralianCar.Reviews has not been able to verify this.
2007-11 Mitsubishi CJ Lancer: oil leak from front crankshaft seal
In November 2016, Mitsubishi Motors issued Technical Service Bulletin 16-11-003 for 2007-11 Mitsubishi CJ Lancer vehicles with 2.0-litre 4B11 or 2.4-litre 4B12 petrol engines. In these vehicles, oil may leak from the front oil seal on the crankshaft due to foreign material damaging the front main lip of the seal. In July 2010, the design of the front oil seal was changed to prevent foreign material entering the seal. Furthermore, an additional rib was added to the oil seal in May 2011 to prevent foreign material from entering the seal.
Technical Service Bulletin 16-11-003 instructed dealers to inspect the front oil seal for leakage and, if confirmed, to replace the front oil seal. Dealers were then to inspect and clean the rubber of the crankshaft pulley, and replace the crankshaft pulley if the rubber was damaged.
2007-10 Mitsubishi CJ Lancer: clicking noise from CVT
In February 2015, Mitsubishi Motors issued Technical Service Bulletin TSB-15-23-003 for Mitsubishi CJ Lancer vehicles that were manufactured prior to 1 October 2010 and had continuously variable transmissions (CVTs). In these vehicles, a clicking noise that increased in frequency with vehicle speed (but not engine speed) could be heard in the passenger compartment. Due to engine and road noises, however, the sound typically could not be heard at vehicle speed above 60 km/h. To fix, the CVT was to be removed so that two primary pulley shaft bearings and one secondary pulley shaft bearing could be replaced.
2007-09 Mitsubishi CJ Lancer: corrosion damage to impact sensors
In 2011, Mitsubishi UK issued a ‘non-code action’ for Mitsubishi CJ Lancer vehicles because the impact sensors could experience corrosion damage (NCA/2011/003) and this could compromise the vehicle’s ability to detect impacts and deploy the airbags; no further information was provided.
In the USA, a recall was issued in November 2009 for Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles in states that used heavy road salt because exposure to a mixture of melted snow with salt thrown up by other vehicles could cause a water-salt mixture to adhere to the front impact sensors. Over time, this coating could cause corrosion of the front impact sensor. If this occurred, there could be a delay in the deployment of the airbags which increased the risk of injury (NHTSA Campaign Number 09V435000). To fix, new front airbag sensors were to be fitted which had improved corrosion resistance. For the USA, the recalled Mitsubishi CJ Lancer vehicles were manufactured from 15 January 2007 to 27 May 2009.
No such recall, however, was issued for Australia or the UK.
Mitsubishi CJ Lancer: other problems and faults
- The Mitsubishi CJ Lancer’s engine may not start or may start only if the accelerator pedal is depressed; if so, the engine control computer may require reprogramming.
- The keyless entry function may be lost if the FAST key is erased by interference form another electronic device such as a mobile phone; a revised unit is available.
