Recalls: Mitsubishi CJ Lancer Ralliart
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 Ralliart
2008-09 model year Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart: potential fuel leak
In September 2009, a recall was issued for 2008 and 2009 model year Mitsubishi CJ Lancer Ralliart vehicles due to the fuel return pipe attached to the engine being subject to excessive stress from engine vibrations at some resonance points. As a result, the fuel pipe may crack and leak fuel (PRA 2009/11077). The affected Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart vehicles had VINs in the following ranges:
- JMFLMCX4A9U000001 to JMFLMCX4A9U000517; and,
- JMFSMCY4A9U000002 to JMFSMCY4A9U000501.
2007-11 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart: loss of power steering assistance
In December 2014, a recall was issued for Mitsubishi CJ Lancer Ralliart vehicles that had 2.0-litre 4B11 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).
2014-15 model year Mitsubishi CJ Lancer Ralliart: potential fuel leak
In June 2016, a recall was issued for 2014 and 2015 ‘model year’ Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart vehicles because the rear right-hand side parking brake cable may interfere with the fuel tank and damage the protective coating of the fuel tank. At worst, the fuel tank might corrode and allow fuel to leak, posing a hazard to occupants and other road users (PRA 2016/15467). The recalled Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart vehicles had VINs in the following ranges –
- 2014 model year Lancer Ralliart: JMFSMCY4AEU000394 to JMFSMCY4AEU000478; and,
- 2015 model year Lancer Ralliart: JMFSMCY4AFU000201 to JMFSMCY4AFU000205.
Problems and faults: Mitsubishi CJ Lancer Ralliart
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.
2008-11 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart: stretched timing chain
AustralianCar.Reviews understands that new timing chains (part number 1140A073) were introduced for the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X and Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart in September 2011 due to reports of stretched timing chains in earlier models. Symptoms of stretched timing chains include:
- Illumination of malfunction indicator light in the instrument cluster’s multi-information display (MID);
- A rough idle; and,
- Diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0012 (variable valve timing advanced-angle value abnormal).
Ifthe driver experienced these symptoms, the engine should be turned off immediately since excessive stretching of the timing chain can cause the pistons and valves to collide. To determine if the timing chain has stretched, the rocker cover is removed so that a visual inspection can be performed on the timing chain and the alignment marks.
The original timing chain (part number MN183891) had a simplex (single row) design, whereas the post-September 2011 chain had a duplex (double row) design. AustralianCar.Reviews understands that changes were also made to the engine block at this time to prevent the timing chain from contacting its oil jet if it stretched.
The OEM timing chain tensioners for Mitsubishi’s 4B11T engine are made from hardened plastic. For engines that experience repeated and sustained high engine speeds, this plastic can warp, cause deflection of the chain and, in turn, inaccurate valve timing. For this reason, aftermarket chain tensioners – manufactured from billet aluminium – are available (see, for example, MAP Billet Timing Chain Guide).
Mitsubishi CJ Lancer Ralliart: ABS pump module failure
For the Mitsubishi CJ Lancer Ralliart, 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.
2008-11 Mitsubishi CJ Lancer Ralliart: oil leak from front crankshaft seal
In November 2016, Mitsubishi Motors issued Technical Service Bulletin 16-11-003 for 2008-11 Mitsubishi CJ Lancer Ralliart vehicles with 2.0-litre 4B11T 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.
2008-10 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart with TC-SST: 5th gear speed check
In July 2016, Mitsubishi Motors issued Technical Service Bulletin 16-22-002 for 2008-10 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart vehicles that had six-speed Twin Clutch Sport Shift Transmissions (TC-SSTs). Immediately after an engine start when the vehicle had been parked for an extended period (e.g. overnight), the transmission would quickly engage and disengage fifth gear to determine whether the vehicle was moving – this would create a noise as the shift fork attempted to move from neutral to fifth gear and then immediately back to neutral. To fix, the transmission control module (TCM) was to be re-programmed with new software to eliminate the fifth gear vehicle speed check and thereby prevent gear noise.
2007-09 Mitsubishi CJ Lancer Ralliart: corrosion damage to impact sensors
In 2011, Mitsubishi UK issued a ‘non-code action’ for Mitsubishi CJ Lancer Ralliart 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 Ralliart: other problems and faults
- The Mitsubishi CJ Lancer Ralliart’s engine may not start or may start only if the gas 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.
