NHTSA Complaint #10444110 — 2010 MITSUBISHI LANCER

I BELIEVE THE OUTER TIE RODS ON 2008-2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER (ALL MODELS) ARE DEFECTIVE. I HAD THE PASS SIDE FAIL AT 20K MILES., WHICH WAS REPLACED BY DEALER. IT TOOK OVER A YEAR OF DIAGNOSIS, INCREASED NOISES, AND EVENTUAL UNSAFE HANDLING BEFORE THE SECOND ONE- DRIVERS SIDE WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED, THIS TIME BY AN INDEPENDENT SHOP. I HAD TO PERSONALLY PAY TO HAVE THE SECOND ONE REPLACED BECAUSE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO REPRODUCE AND REPLACE AFTER NUMEROUS INQUIRIES. I HAVE VIDEO OF THE BALL JOINT UPON REMOVAL FROM THE IDLER ARM, AND THE JOINT IS ABSOLUTELY DESTROYED. SURPRISINGLY, IT DOES NOT EXHIBIT MUCH PLAY WHEN MOUNTED, AND THE BALL JOINT RUBBER LOOKS OK. IT WOULD BE VERY EASY FOR A CURSORY INSPECTION TO COME UP WITH NOTHING, EVEN WHEN THE JOINT IS DANGEROUSLY NEAR FAILING. NOT ONLY DO I BELIEVE THAT THE PART IS PRONE TO FAILURE, BUT I DON'T THINK IT IS SAFE EVEN WHEN NEW. I NOTICED THE VEHICLE HAD UNUSUAL STEERING SINCE I BOUGHT IT, THAT CAUSED IT TO DOG TRACK AND DRIFT IN AND OUT OF LANE. I TRIED A VARIETY OF WAYS TO IMPROVE, INCLUDING NEW TIRES, SOLD BY DEALER, PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD REPLACED. NONE ADDRESSED THE STEERING ISSUES, UNTIL I REPLACED WITH AFTERMARKET MOOG OUTER TIE RODS AFTER FINDING THE DRIVERS SIDE TIE ROD DEFECTIVE. I HAVE ALSO INQUIRED WITH OTHER OWNERS, SINCE I AM A MEMBER OF A LANCER FORUM. MANY ALSO SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. EITHER THEY HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, OR THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT MANY OF THESE VEHICLES ARE ON THE ROAD TODAY WITH TIE RODS THAT ARE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED. CONSIDERING THAT THE FAILURE OF THESE PARTS EVENTUALLY LEADS TO DRAMATIC UNDERSTEER, AND SLIDING OUT OF THE FRONT END, WHILE STABILITY CONTROL DOESN'T ENGAGE, THIS SITUATION COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED A VIDEO OF THE DEFECTIVE PART IN QUESTION. THANKS. *TR