transfer case recall question

[vr4gto]

My t-case has been leaking and I suspect it maybe shot. I have an appointment at the dealership on Tuesday. My question is if the previous owner had his favorite jerkoff shop replace the t-case before without using the recall, will it cause me an issue with Mitsu being its not the original? I'm assuming not because the car has never been in for the recall. But if they give me hell that its not the original will they technically still have to do it?

[95gto]

The recall is tracked via vin number, so as long as the previous owner did not have the dealer mark the recall performed you should be fine. At the very least I would go up the dealership and check. But bare in mind that a leaky tc that wasn't damaged internally would just get resealed under the recall.

[vr4gto]

I had them check and it didn't come up as being done.

[scottski87]

how do i know if mine is rated for a recall? free parts are the best parts!!!!

[vr4gto]

how do i know if mine is rated for a recall? free parts are the best parts!!!!

If you own a VR4 or TT and your transfer case if leaking, you are eligable.

[xwire]

The recall is tracked via vin number, so as long as the previous owner did not have the dealer mark the recall performed you should be fine. At the very least I would go up the dealership and check. But bare in mind that a leaky tc that wasn't damaged internally would just get resealed under the recall.

and they will not cover it if they can prove that it was modifications to your car that caused it to leak

IE: boost controller, exhaust, and even some case, the clutch

[vr4gto]

and they will not cover it if they can prove that it was modifications to your car that caused it to leak

IE: boost controller, exhaust, and even some case, the clutch

Ah shit, seriously? I have all three. I have 218k on it, shouldn't that be enough reason it would be leaking?

[vr4gto]

If I hide my boost controller and take out my aftermarket boost gauge do you think I'll be able to get the recall done? Why would they use the exhaust as an excuse not to do it?

[Highboosted]

Key is "if they can prove". Federal law prohibits safety recalls being rejected from modifications that are not directly affecting the recalled part.

[vr4gto]

So what you're saying is it's pretty hard for them to prove it was caused by your mods unless you're rolling in there with Von's Red Devil?

[levincoupe]

i just bought my stealth and im planning on making sure all the recalls were taken care of

[vr4gto]

i just bought my stealth and im planning on making sure all the recalls were taken care of

What do you have?

[Highboosted]

So what you're saying is it's pretty hard for them to prove it was caused by your mods unless you're rolling in there with Von's Red Devil?

Hard for them to prove, but just letting you know they will try. First rule of dealer service shop tactics is to blame the customer, second is to blame the manufacturer, third is to blame the last guy who worked there, finally blame the boss.

They will say the mods caused the failure, and then it's up to you to prove them wrong basically, so then it's time to call corporate. In the end it's just easier to either un-mod the car beforehand or just do it yourself.

[vr4gto]

Hard for them to prove, but just letting you know they will try. First rule of dealer service shop tactics is to blame the customer, second is to blame the manufacturer, third is to blame the last guy who worked there, finally blame the boss.

They will say the mods caused the failure, and then it's up to you to prove them wrong basically, so then it's time to call corporate. In the end it's just easier to either un-mod the car beforehand or just do it yourself.

I'll just hide my boost controller. It's only a MBC, shouldn't be too hard to hide. If they end up being too big of assholes I can handle them. The exhaust will be tough to hide though. Thanks for the heads up.

[xwire]

take out what you can and make it look as stock as possible

hide it and you take the chance they will find it, that and when they test drive it gives them more reason to beat the hell out of it

[vr4gto]

I suppose I could run waste gate pressure. I just connect the two lines from the wastegates together without the MBC right?

[STLVR4]

I suppose I could run waste gate pressure. I just connect the two lines from the wastegates together without the MBC right?

yep

[vr4gto]

The dealership is such a pain in the ass. I dropped my car off this morning at 8 and they are still dicking around with it. I'm glad I wrote down the mileage and amount of gas left.

Right after I dropped it off I was waiting for the shuttle service and I heard them turn it on. A minute later one the techs comes up to me and asks what aftermarket clutch I'm using. I played dumb and said it was oem. He says "It's too stiff to be oem." I told him the pedal needs to be adjusted and that it was brand new. I'm glad I got a heads up on the dealer sniffing around for mods.

[vr4gto]

Finally got a call back. The t-case is empty again. I just filled it yesterday. I mentioned the noise from the transmission and asked if maybe the t-case caused the output shaft issues and they think that also. They have to wait for Mitsu's authorization but it sounds like I may be getting some major drivetrain maintenance done soon. I'm glad this is getting dealt with, I was getting nervous about driving it and wouldn't let my pregnant wife in it anymore. It would have been really shitty if it locked up with her in the car.

[vr4gto]

So the dealer says they're still waiting for mitsu to authorize the fix. Does it always take so long? They say they may not know until Tuesday. That'll make it a week.

[vr4gto]

So Mitsubishi says they won't cover the transfer case because of my exhaust being aftermarket and having no heat shields. Anything I can do or am I screwed? The transfer case is so noisy I'm assuming it's on its out.

[boomer3000]

tell them to suck it!!! and blow up their cars !!

[vr4gto]

tell them to suck it!!! and blow up their cars !!

I wish. I just got irritated and hung up.

Anyone have a good transfer case for a '93?

[STLVR4]

Hard for them to prove, but just letting you know they will try. First rule of dealer service shop tactics is to blame the customer, second is to blame the manufacturer, third is to blame the last guy who worked there, finally blame the boss.

They will say the mods caused the failure, and then it's up to you to prove them wrong basically, so then it's time to call corporate. In the end it's just easier to either un-mod the car beforehand or just do it yourself.

This.

[vr4gto]

This.
Yeah I know. I'm mostly annoyed that they screwed with me for a week. I could of fixed it myself by now.

[whitedragon]

Call Mitsubishi North America yourself and scream your butt off. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Include the part about how you had to wait over a week just to hear anything and the technicians were messing with your clutch. Explain how you are afraid to have your pregnant wife in the car when you noticed the xfer case leaking.

etc etc

[xwire]

take out what you can and make it look as stock as possible

hide it and you take the chance they will find it, that and when they test drive it gives them more reason to beat the hell out of it

told you to put it back to stock, like James said all you can do now is fight about the fact that your exhaust has nothing to do with the defective design of their transfer case seals and the fact that numerous other "stock" cars have had the exact same concern as yours, and that your after market exhaust runs cooler then stock....

[vr4gto]

Thanks guys. I took out the other mods, but the stock exhaust was junk before I pulled it out so there was no putting it back in. It literally fell apart when I took it out. I'm gonna raise some hell tomorrow about this for sure. I doubt the dealer even called Mitsu. They probably just messed with me for a week.

[boomer3000]

And they probably drove the shit out of your car lol thats why when ever i used to get my car worked on before i met von or eric i would record the miles that were on the car when i dropped it off to the miles when i got it back..... when i had them replace my wheel hub i picked it up and it had 36 miles more on it than i had left it with..... talk about an instant discount haha

[vr4gto]

And they probably drove the shit out of your car lol thats why when ever i used to get my car worked on before i met von or eric i would record the miles that were on the car when i dropped it off to the miles when i got it back..... when i had them replace my wheel hub i picked it up and it had 36 miles more on it than i had left it with..... talk about an instant discount haha

I have a picture of the mileage on my phone so if it differs too much they'll get their asses chewed. They have no reason to drive it.

[vr4gto]

Well I called Corporate today and made a complaint case. I'm doubting it did any good but they say they have someone calling me tomorrow about it.

[vr4gto]

Fuck Mitsubishi. :)

[whitedragon]

Fuck Mitsubishi. :)

What did they say?

[vr4gto]

What did they say?
The excuse this morning was the type of lube I use. I use AMSOIL and I told them to fuck off because I know for a fact the dealer uses it because I know the guy that supplies them. Then corporate calls me and says there's too many miles on the car and they can't cover it because of that. I told them to fuck off. Then they call later and say they would have covered it bit the previous owners didn't get the scheduled maintenance done at a authorized Mitsu dealer.

[xwire]

it is a RECALL there is no scheduled maintenance...

tell them that is fine your are contacting the department or transportation and notifying them that they are refusing to preform a federal recall

[vr4gto]

I think I'm just going to call whoever I need to and turn them in. I'm done with them myself. I've told them they have to do it and they'll love the lawsuit when it locks up on me. They told me when I said that " well sir you know it isn't safe to drive so if you continue to drive it, its your fault."

[boomer3000]

tell them its your daily driver so if they wanna pay for the rental for you and your pregnant wife to use till you have money to get if fixed!!! also take vons advise....ps.usually works haha

[vr4gto]

tell them its your daily driver so if they wanna pay for the rental for you and your pregnant wife to use till you have money to get if fixed!!! also take vons advise....ps.usually works haha

I'm definately planning on taking Von's advice. I have Mn DOT's number on my phone just waiting to be called in the morning. I don't think I'm even going to mess with the dealer or Mitsu myself anymore. Time to get some big dogs on it and really get pushy. Fucking Mitsu. I can't believe this. I've never had trouble with them on recalls for my other cars, past or present. Pisses me off.

[STLVR4]

This scares me...I know for a fact that the recall was never completed on my car either. Mine is pretty much stock but I can see them trying to get out of it whatever way they can.

[vr4gto]

This scares me...I know for a fact that the recall was never completed on my car either. Mine is pretty much stock but I can see them trying to get out of it whatever way they can.

Good luck. I'm so frusterated with this whole thing. They'll tell you that because you farted on Tuesday into an east wind at 3 p.m. with one leg lifted while you stood near the car, they won't fix it. My car has been sitting at the dealership for almost 2 weeks. I told them it can sit there until they fix it or have it towed to my house because I am not driving it.

[vr4gto]

I called the NHTSA today to tell them about Mitsubishi. They confirmed they have no excuse to deny the recall. They also told me there's only 2 years left on it or you will have to pay a percentage of the cost to get it done. They told me to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, which I did. They also recommended that I report it to my state's Attorney General, I did that too. Now I have all three on Mitsu's ass as well as my local dealership.

To get myself self proof of the transfer case being defective and the transmission being damaged by, I called the dealer and had them write me up an estimate that shows all the problems. This way it'll be even harder for them to deny me since I'll have written proof that it's broke.

[vr4gto]

The dealer says it'll be $1800 to replace the transfer case.

[STLVR4]

Good, I think you went about this the correct way. Now they cannot deny you the needed repairs unless they want some very powerful people up their ass.

[vr4gto]

Am I correct that the recall calls for a reseal and if the case is damaged because of the faulty seals the case gets replaced.

[xwire]

yes

[vr4gto]

Since that's the case I love being told by Mitsu today that it only covers a reseal and not replacement. That if I hadn't neglected to bring the car in as soon as it started leaking (which was literally March 23? or so when I took it out of winter storage) then it could have been resealed by Mitsubishi on their dime.

I go from
1. Can't do it because you have an aftermarket clutch
2. Can't do it because you have an aftermarket exhaust
3. Can't do it because you used the wrong lube
4. Can't do it because you have too many miles
5. Can't do it because the previous owners didn't have it maintained by us
6. Can't do it because you ignored the leak for too long and the recall doesn't cover replacement.
7. Forgot this one, your car is too old to be covered.
They're all blatant lies that I have proven wrong and they still won't do it. What's next?

[STLVR4]

Since that's the case I love being told by Mitsu today that it only covers a reseal and not replacement. That if I hadn't neglected to bring the car in as soon as it started leaking (which was literally March 23? or so when I took it out of winter storage) then it could have been resealed by Mitsubishi on their dime.

I go from
1. Can't do it because you have an aftermarket clutch
2. Can't do it because you have an aftermarket exhaust
3. Can't do it because you used the wrong lube
4. Can't do it because you have too many miles
5. Can't do it because the previous owners didn't have it maintained by us
6. Can't do it because you ignored the leak for too long and the recall doesn't cover replacement.
7. Forgot this one, your car is too old to be covered.
They're all blatant lies that I have proven wrong and they still won't do it. What's next?

8. Cant do it because you have the nicest car we've ever produced and it costs us way to much money to perform the mandatory safety recall :j-off:

[vr4gto]

8. Cant do it because you have the nicest car we've ever produced and it costs us way to much money to perform the mandatory safety recall :j-off:
True that. I've been talking about this on 3Si too and they can't believe this shit.
http://www.3si.org/forum/f1/mitsu-denying-my-t-case-recall-494926/

[STLVR4]

True that. I've been talking about this on 3Si too and they can't believe this shit.
http://www.3si.org/forum/f1/mitsu-denying-my-t-case-recall-494926/

At least they offered some useful ideas instead of flaming you for questioning Mitsubishi's judgment on the issue :flame:

[vr4gto]

At least they offered some useful ideas instead of flaming you for questioning Mitsubishi's judgment on the issue :flame:
I was kind of surprised I didn't get the "there's a search button" response. The help has been much appreciated here and there. It's brought up another thread too.
http://www.3si.org/forum/f1/can-we-please-re-sticky-actual-statement-tc-recall-495029/

[vr4gto]

Well once again it's blast Mitsubishi time. I called them yesterday and informed them that I called the NHTSA, FTC and my state's attorney general. They called today and said they will reseal the t-case but are not required to replace it. Bullshit. It says right in the recall. They said if I didn't let it get to the point that it needed to be replaced, I wouldn't have this problem. So I called back the NHTSA, but unfortunately they can't mediate. Hello Attorney General! Fuck Mitsu.

[SixFourTwoHero]

Well once again it's blast Mitsubishi time. I called them yesterday and informed them that I called the NHTSA, FTC and my state's attorney general. They called today and said they will reseal the t-case but are not required to replace it. Bullshit. It says right in the recall. They said if I didn't let it get to the point that it needed to be replaced, I wouldn't have this problem. So I called back the NHTSA, but unfortunately they can't mediate. Hello Attorney General! Fuck Mitsu.

I thought they just re-sealed it unless they found damaged internals during the inspection? In which case, they would replace the entire t-case. How can they tell you that you shouldn't have let it go that far?

This story will keep me away from the dealership as long as I live. I'm going to have to befriend a Mitsu tech and a service manager before I'd ever trust them. Thanks for bringing this all to our awareness. What's the latest?

[vr4gto]

I thought they just re-sealed it unless they found damaged internals during the inspection? In which case, they would replace the entire t-case. How can they tell you that you shouldn't have let it go that far?

This story will keep me away from the dealership as long as I live. I'm going to have to befriend a Mitsu tech and a service manager before I'd ever trust them. Thanks for bringing this all to our awareness. What's the latest?

Well, as of tomorrow the car has sat at the dealership. I told them if they want it off the lot, fix it under the recall or drive it to my house their selves and hope it won't lock up.
Anyone with a TT that needs t-case seals replaced or the whole thing replaced should bring it in. If you're denied turn them in to the NHTSA and the FTC. Having a pattern of neglecting to fulfill recalls will get Mitsu in trouble. I by myself isn't enough.

I do have the MINUTE Attorney General looking at this situation for me. We'll see how far they go.

[vr4gto]

Stupid auto spell correction. Minute is supposed to be MN as in Minnesota and the car has been sitting for a month at the dealer.

[HCProgramr]

Good luck to you in getting it back...what a crock.

[boomer3000]

Ummm potatoes!!

[vr4gto]

Ummm potatoes!!

A boomerism

[boomer3000]

dude you have no idea how bored i am at work today our servers crashed lol so yippy for no work

[vr4gto]

dude you have no idea how bored i am at work today our servers crashed lol so yippy for no work
I know the feeling.

I called the Attorney General's office today, the assigned a moderator to my case. What a pain in the ass. Oh well, if I wasn't such a stubborn bastard it wouldn't be. Not getting too worked up about it, this year every freeway in my area is tore up for construction. I'd never get it out of second gear anyway.

[boomer3000]

thats the way to think about it ;) shit i would be pissed and calling the dealership every day asking \"have you fixed my car yet\".....\"NO\"....\"well get to it motha fuckers\"

[vr4gto]

thats the way to think about it ;) shit i would be pissed and calling the dealership every day asking \"have you fixed my car yet\".....\"NO\"....\"well get to it motha fuckers\"

I don't need to call, they call me at least once a week asking when I'm getting it off their lot. That's when I say "did you perform the recall? No? Then piss off, you drive it to my house." But it still all lands on Mitsubishi. At this point I'm letting the Attorney General handle it. If I get all tough guy on Mitsu they can use it against me. Right now I'm being as calm and patient as I've ever been. I think being a dad now is helping that out.

[boomer3000]

yea be clam at this point is probably a good thing.... but i would be calling every day bugging ppl

[vr4gto]

Mitsu is the only one to call and I can't get return phone calls anymore. Bitches.

[vr4gto]

Link to my complaint with NHTSA
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints/results.cfm?odi_ids=10331018&SearchType=QuickSearch&summary=true&refurl=email

[vr4gto]

I called the dealership today to let them know Mitsu says it can be resealed and they told me it's beyond a reseal and needs to be replaced. I told them do it then. They said the recall doesn't cover a replacement. So being the asshole I am I went up there with a copy of the recall with the part about replacement highlighted. They told me to get my car off the lot or they're charging me $20 a day for storage. Awesome. Assholes.

[HCProgramr]

At this point I'd start making a h*ll of a stink with corporate...politely, of course. That kind of shenanigans ought to get their franchise pulled for being *sshats.

[vr4gto]

I'm leaving it up to the attorney general for now and see how it goes.

[boomer3000]

So did you move the car?

[vr4gto]

So did you move the car?
On my way to the dealer to get it now. AAA won't cover moving it from a repair shop to my home, only roadside service to my home or repair shop. So I'm driving it on the backroads home and if it locks up then AAA can come get it.

[HCProgramr]

If it locks, the AG is gonna have a field day. 'Not only did you refuse to fix this under recall, but WHY it was recalled happened on the drive off your lot after you refused!'

[vr4gto]

I said fuck risking it and had it towed.

[HCProgramr]

Probably the smart thing to do. It's better than the thing locking up at the wrong time and giving its life to hopefully let you walk away from the tree/ditch/oncoming traffic.

Putting the dealer in even hotter water isn't worth risking your car...or your life...for. The AG will put the screws to them, and hopefully Mits themselves will find out and tighten the screws even further.

[vr4gto]

Probably the smart thing to do. It's better than the thing locking up at the wrong time and giving its life to hopefully let you walk away from the tree/ditch/oncoming traffic.

Putting the dealer in even hotter water isn't worth risking your car...or your life...for. The AG will put the screws to them, and hopefully Mits themselves will find out and tighten the screws even further.
The dealer wants to do it, it's Mitsu that refuses. But I'll take this time to fix other shit on the car. All the freeways and highways are under construction this year in my area so there's nowhere the drive it anyway.:j-off:

[vr4gto]

Well, I'm pretty much hosed. The Attorney General's office has no authority to order a business to take a particular action or to cease and desist from taking an action. They can't give private citizens legal advice either. So all they can do, and did, is send a letter to Mitsubishi on my behalf requesting a written explanation of the steps they will take to resolve this matter with me promptly. They also ask them to send the response in ten days to me and the Attorney General's office.

I am seriously doubting Mitsu will do anything because they know that every place I filed a complaint to has no authority to make them do shit. It seems the only way to force them to comply is to sue them myself. But to my regret, that's just way too much money to spend for something that'll cost less to replace, and I guarantee Mitsu knows this.

I guess depending on how Mitsu responds to the AG's letter will determine if I'm buying a replacement, which I may do anyway so I can drive it in the meantime, or have it rebuilt. It's too bad Mitsu can't show some respect for the people that love their products. I've owned 9 Mitsu's and always been treated well when it came to recalls on the vehicles before this situation. I wish I could talk shit about Mitsu but in all honesty I'll probably still buy their cars. I'm just hugely dissappointed in them at this point. In no way was I out to get something just to get it for free. I just believed that everyone stands up to their responsiblities and takes care of them.

[STLVR4]

Whatta crock of shit...sorry dude that sucks

[vr4gto]

On the bright side maybe this will cause Mitsu to finally do it. But now I have an excuse to start the body and engine work. The little shit like intercooler and the oil cooler can get replaced now too. I've been sitting on replacements forever. New lowering springs are on there way, headers can go on...... So it isn't that bad I guess. I'm pulling the t-case and I hope maybe all I need is new bearings and seals. It still drives and the noise dosnt sound catastrophic yet.

[vr4gto]

I received a letter from Mitsu today. They're not happy that I turned them into all the places I did. It sounded like a letter a teacher would write to a parent scolding their child. Its all my fault for using the wrong gear oil (AMSOIL, which the dealership uses too), modded exhaust, ect, ect, ect. They basically said I need to leave them alone. I'm such a bully I guess.

[boomer3000]

keep complaining dude they will get tired of hearing it and fix your shit fo free

[HCProgramr]

"Well, had you taken care of it when I asked you to, I wouldn't have had to contact those other places."

[vr4gto]

keep complaining dude they will get tired of hearing it and fix your shit fo free
I'm over it for the most part. It wasn't about getting it free, more like I wanted them to fufill their obligation. But oh well, fuck em.

Why are you on here boomer? Its your honeymoon, go drink and eat pie. :)
"Well, had you taken care of it when I asked you to, I wouldn't have had to contact those other places."
I'm tempted to write back to them telling them I love them.

[boomer3000]

I'm over it for the most part. It wasn't about getting it free, more like I wanted them to fufill their obligation. But oh well, fuck em.

Why are you on here boomer? Its your honeymoon, go drink and eat pie. :)

I'm tempted to write back to them telling them I love them.

well to be honest VA sucks lol and i'm on here cause im under 21 and our days are so busy my wife passes out 20 min after being home,,, the shitty thing about today was the fact that she almost passed out because of the heat :zthrwer: