Recalls: Mitsubishi CZ4A Lancer Evolution X
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 CZ4A Lancer Evolution X
2007-08 model year Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X: fuel pipe could crack
In September 2009, a recall was issued for 2008 and 2009 model year Mitsubishi CZ4A Lancer Evolution X 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 vehicles were in the following VIN ranges:
- JMFSMCZ4A9U000002 to JMFSMCZ4A9U000719; and,
- JMFSNCZ4A9U000001 to JMFSNCZ4A9U000721.
2009-10 model year Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X: loss of clutch function
In May 2010, a recall was issued for 2009 model year and 2010 model year Mitsubishi CZ4A Lancer Evolution X vehicles due a wire clip retaining the oil pressure pipe to the clutch master cylinder potentially allowing the pipe to become disconnected during clutch operation; this could result in clutch fluid loss and an inoperative clutch (PRA 2010/11624). The affected vehicles were in the following VIN ranges –
- 2009 model year Lancer Evolution:
- JMFSNCZ4A9U000001 to JMFSNCZ4A9U000438; and,
- JMYSNCZ4A9U000274 to JMYSNCZ4A9U000750;
- 2010 model year Lancer Evolution:
- JMFSNCZ4AAU000208 to JMFSNCZ4AAU000221; and,
- JMYSNCZ4AAU000202 to JMYSNCZ4AAU000203.
2009-14 model year Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X: inability to change gears
In November 2013, a recall was issued for 2009 to 2014 model year Mitsubishi CZ4A Lancer Evolution X vehicles that were fitted with a five-speed manual transmission. In these vehicles, the clutch master cylinder may break during operation due to insufficient weld strength. If this occurred, the fluid would leak and the clutch release function would cease to operate, preventing normal transmission gear changes. The loss of ability to change gears – or unexpected gear engagement – while driving could pose a hazard to the driver and surrounding motorists (PRA 2013/13828). The affected vehicles were in the following VIN ranges –
- 2009 MY:
- JMYSNCZ4A9U000274 to JMYSNCZ4A9U000750;
- JMFSNCZ4A9U000201 to JMFSNCZ4A9U000438;
- 2010 MY:
- JMYSNCZ4AAU000202 to JMYSNCZ4AAU000203;
- JMFSNCZ4AAU000208 to JMFSNCZ4AAU000253;
- 2011 MY:
- JMYSNCZ4ABU000225;
- JMFSNCZ4ABU000201 to JMFSNCZ4ABU000273;
- 2012 MY:
- JMFSNCZ4ACU000201 to JMFSNCZ4ACU000227;
- 2013 MY:
- JMFSNCZ4ADU000201 to JMFSNCZ4ADU000233;
- 2014 MY:
- JMFSNCZ4AEU000201 to JMFSNCZ4AEU000218.
2008-11 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X: loss of power steering assistance
In December 2014, a recall was issued for C4ZA Lancer Evo X sedans that had 2.0-litre 4B11 engines and were manufactured from 22 January 2008 to 17 June 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*MCZ4A**000002 to JMF*MCZ4A**000726;
- JMF*NCZ4A**000001 to JMF*NCZ4A**000438; and,
- JMY*NCZ4A**000202 to JMY*NCZ4A**000750.
2007-08 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X: Takata airbag recall #1
In October 2015, a recall was issued for Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X vehicles that were manufactured prior to 30 December 2008. In these vehicles, the front passenger airbag – manufactured by Takata – may release metallic fragments from the inflator container when the airbag is deployed; these fragments could strike the occupants and had the potential to cause serious injury (PRA 2015/14936).
2014-15 model year Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X: potential fuel leak
In June 2016, a recall was issued for 2014 and 2015 ‘model year’ Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X 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 Evolution X vehicles had VINs in the following ranges –
- 2014 model year Lancer Evolution X:
- JMFSMCZ4AEU000247 to JMFSMCZ4AEU000271; and,
- JMFSNCZ4AEU000256 to JMFSNCZ4AEU000295.
- 2015 model year Lancer Evolution X:
- JMFSMCZ4AFU000201 to JMFSMCZ4AFU000209; and,
- JMFSNCZ4AFU000201 to JMFSNCZ4AFU000214.
2007-08 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X: Takata airbag recall #2
In April 2018, a recall was issued for Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X that were manufactured prior to 30 December 2008. This recall was issued for vehicles that had previously had their Takata airbag inflators replaced with Takata airbag inflators (i.e. ‘like for like’ replacement) under PRA 2015/14936. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please seePRA 2018/16731.
Search online for recalls by VIN
To see if a Mitsubishi vehicle has been recalled, you can conduct a search on the Mitsubishi Australia website using its VIN.
Problems and faults: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
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.
2007-11 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X: 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).
If the driver experiences 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).
2007-11 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X: oil leak from front crankshaft seal
In November 2016, Mitsubishi Motors issued Technical Service Bulletin 16-11-003 for 2007-11 Mitsubishi C4ZA Lancer Evolution X vehicles with 2.0-litre 4B11T 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.
2007-13 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X: DTC P1235 or P0068
In December 2013, Mitsubishi Motors issued Technical Service Bulletin 13-13-009 for Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution vehicles that had:
- Five-speed manual transmissions and were built before 23 September 2013; and,
- Twin Clutch Sport Shift Transmissions (TC-SSTs) and were built before 25 September 2013.
In cold weather, the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) could illuminate due to improper intake air volume judgment during turbocharger operation at engine speeds below 3000 rpm. Furthermore, Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P1235 (for 2007-10 models) or P0068 (for 2010-13 models) may be stored in the engine control module (ECM). To fix, the ECM was to be re-programmed with new software.
2008-10 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X with TC-SST: 5th gear speed check
In July 2016, Mitsubishi Motors issued Technical Service Bulletin 16-22-002 for 2008-10 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X 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.
2007-08 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X: corrosion damage to impact sensors
In 2011, Mitsubishi UK issued a ‘non-code action’ for Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X 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, however, a recall was issued in November 2009 for Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X 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 Lancer Evolution X vehicles were manufactured from 12 December 2007 to 11 December 2008.
No such recall, however, was issued for Australia or the UK.
