Mitsubishi Common Recalls

Mitsubishi vehicles are manufactured by the Mitsubishi Group, a group of Japanese companies that crosses various industries. Today, Mitsubishi Motors sells vehicles in several countries, including the United States. As of 2024, over 300 Mitsubishi dealerships were active in the US, including several in California. 

In the US, auto manufacturers regularly issue vehicle recalls for hidden defects. Mitsubishi participates in these auto-recall programs. Recent Mitsubishi vehicle recall lists reveal a long list of potential issues with these vehicles. 

Common Problems with Mitsubishi Vehicles That May Mean You Have a Lemon

Several recalls naming Mitsubishi vehicles have been issued in the past few years. These recalls address a range of common issues with Mitsubishi vehicles.

If your Mitsubishi experiences any of these issues, check to see whether your vehicle is included in a recall. If so, follow the safety and repair instructions listed in the recall. If there are no instructions, use the contact information included in the recall notice to contact Mitsubishi or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 

Recent Mitsubishi recalls cover issues like:

• Software errors leading to backup camera system failure. A recall of over 89,000 2022 and 2023 model-year Mitsubishi Outlanders and Outlander PHEVs focused on failures in the backup camera, which can reduce visibility in the rear of the vehicle. This reduced visibility increases the risk that a driver will hit something or someone behind the vehicle, causing injuries. 
• Transmission control unit issues. A recall of over 76,000 Outlander Sport vehicles in the 2019-2022 model years notes that a problem with software in the transmission control unit can cause the vehicle to shift to a lower gear at high speeds. When this occurs, the engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. 
• Fuel pump failures. Over 16,000 Mitsubishi Outlander vehicles in the 2022 model year were recalled because wires inside the fuel pump could be incorrectly fused. This defect can cause the fuel pump to fail, increasing the risk of a crash. 
• Child restraint system failures. A recall of over 3,700 2022 model-year Mitsubishi Outlanders sought to fix a problem in the front and second-row passenger seat belts. The issue could prevent child restraint systems, like car seats and booster seats, from attaching properly to the vehicle. In a crash, a child could be severely injured, even if they were secured in an appropriate car or booster seat. 
• Corrosion in the front control arm. Over 15,000 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport vehicles in model years 2013 through 2015 were recalled because corrosion in the front lower control arms could cause these to detach. If the control arm detaches, the driver may lose control of the vehicle while driving, causing a crash and serious or fatal injuries. 

I Think My Mitsubishi is a Lemon. How Does California Lemon Law Protect Me?

California’s lemon laws apply to consumers who purchase Mitsubishi vehicles in California. To count as a “lemon” under the state’s laws, your Mitsubishi must have one or more defects that:

• Cause “substantial impairment” to the vehicle’s use, value, or safety, and
• Haven’t been repaired by the dealership after a reasonable number of repair attempts.

As few as two repair attempts can be considered “reasonable.”  

If your vehicle qualifies as a lemon, the statute requires the automaker to buy back or replace the vehicle with a “substantially similar” vehicle. 

When you bought your new Mitsubishi, you relied on the automaker to provides a safe and reliable vehicle that does the job any vehicle should do. If the automaker can’t seem to fix the problem, refuses to buy back the vehicle, or lowballs their offer for a refund, talk to an experienced lemon law attorney. The team at Wirtz Law APC fights to protect our clients and enforce their California lemon law rights. 

Any defect that substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of your Mitsubishi vehicle is covered, including:

• Suspension and transmission problems
• Power steering problems
• Engine problems
• Electrical malfunctions
• Brake issues
• Fuel system problems
• Faulty systems, including coolant and power equipment systems
• Infotainment and other computer system errors
• Airbag defects 
• Navigation issues
• Fluid leaks
• Faulty or defective dashboard lights, seat belts, and other safety and warning systems

If you’re having issues with your Mitsubishi, don’t wait. Talk to the experienced Mitsubishi safety recall attorneys at Wirtz Law APC today. We are proud to serve our SoCal communities, such as Los Angeles, Buena Park, Downey, Anaheim, Commerce, Santa Monica, and San Diego. We also have experience in representing clients in Central and Northern California. Regardless of where you live in California, you have legal rights as a consumer and we are here to help you, every step of the way.