NHTSA Complaint #10594032 — 2011 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION

WHEN COLD TEMPERATURE COMES (AROUND 20F) OR BELOW YOU CAN HEAR A VERY LOUD WHINE COMING FROM THE AYD/ACD PUMP LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WHEN FIRST STAYING VEHICLE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THERE WILL BE A MOMENT WHERE THE TARMAC/GRAVEL/SNOW INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD BLINK AND PUTS THE PUMP INTO FAILSAFE MODE. IF YOU DRIVE WHILE THE PUMP IS IN FAILSAFE MODE THE HANDLING IS TERRIBLE AND ANY ENGINE BRAKING IS NON EXISTENT. OVER THE PAST FEW WINTERS I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS UP UNTIL THIS WRITE UP. NOW IN WARMER WEATHER (70F) OR ABOVE THE PUMP IS STUCK IN FAIL SAFE MODE AND DOES NOT RETURN TO NORMAL OPERATION LIKE IT SOMETIMES WOULD IN WINTER MONTHS. THIS PUMP PROVIDES THE FRONT AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY WITH THE FLUID NEEDED TO PROVIDE NORMAL AND ADEQUATE DRIVING. VEHICLE NOW HAS 41000 MILES AND NEEDS THIS PUMP REPLACED WHICH IS JUST OVER 2,000 USD. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND WEATHER AND/OR SALT/SANDY ROADS TO CAUSE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THIS PUMP. I BELIEVE MY PUMP WENT AS A COMBINATION OF BOTH BECAUSE OF POOR PLACEMENT BY MITSUBISHI TO LOCATE THIS PUMP JUST BEHIND THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL UNDER THE VEHICLE. I NOW HAVE A HEFTY BILL TO LOOK FORWARD TO EVERY 3-4 YEARS IN PUMP REPLACEMENT COSTS ALONE IF I KEEP THIS HAZARD OF A CAR. *TR