Nearly 7,000 2008-2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Ralliart, and Sportback Ralliart models recalled over fuel pipe crack concerns
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart - Click above for high-res gallery
The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a recall of potentially 6,903 Lancer Evolution, Ralliart, and Sportback Ralliart vehicles fitted with 2.0-liter turbocharged engines falling between model year 2008 and 2009. According to the report, running the engine at certain speeds over time may cause a damaging vibration that could lead to a stress crack in the fuel pipe (the fuel return pipe is apparently improperly attached to the engine). If a crack does develop, the resulting fuel leakage could cause a fire.
Dealers will be instructed to replace the fuel pipe with a new component and add two new additional attachment brackets to lessen the effects of vibration. Of course, all of this work will be performed free of charge. Owners of the recalled Mitsubishi vehicles may contact the manufacturer at 1-888-648-7820, contact the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 or visit www.safercar.gov regarding campaign ID .
[Source: NHTSA]
Vehicle Make / Model: MITSUBISHI LANCER
Model Year(s): 2008-2009
Manufacturer: MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Mfr's Report Date: SEP 08, 2009
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V349000 N/A
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY
Potential Number of Units Affected: 6903
Summary:
MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 LANCER EVOLUTION, RALLIART, AND SPORTBACK RALLIART VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TURBOCHARGED ENGINES. THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FUEL RETURN PIPE IS ATTACHED TO THE ENGINE, IN COMBINATION WITH FREQUENT VEHICLE OPERATION AT CERTAIN ENGINE REVOLUTIONS, MAY RESULT IN A RESONANCE THAT, IF CONTINUED OVER TIME, MAY CAUSE A STRESS CRACK TO DEVELOP AT THE FIXED PORTION OF THE FUEL PIPE.
Consequence:
IF THIS STRESS CRACK DEVELOPS, FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy:
THE FUEL RETURN PIPE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW PART AND TWO ADDITIONAL ATTACHMENT BRACKETS WILL BE INSTALLED TO BETTER CONTROL FUEL PIPE VIBRATION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 29, 2009. OWNER MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-888-648-7820.
Notes:
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Danimal 4:36PM (9/17/2009)
I don't follow these cars close enough to know how sales are going, but I see WAY less Evolution X's compared to a few years ago and the Evo IX's.
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Pokey 5:10PM (9/17/2009)
I'm not sure what the numbers are either, but after driving both, I must say that the IX seems much more fun to drive than the X.
Sure, the X is a little faster, and better looking, but it is just missing something. I really could not put my finger on it, but the IX just feels more visceral, if that makes sense.
At least they didn't go the same route as Subaru did with the STi, making it available in only one ugly bodystyle, slower, and less nimble than the previous STi. At least that was the impression I got. I miss the old STi.
elihanselman 6:14PM (9/17/2009)
So THIS is what was causing 17mpg Fuel Economy in my Evo X!
Mazdamia 4:43PM (9/17/2009)
I kept reading this, "Fuel Crack Pipe."
Must be my id.
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RITmusic2k 5:27PM (9/17/2009)
Same!
Geekengineer 4:50PM (9/17/2009)
Yeah, I read the headline wrong too. Must have been because someone at work was talking about Whitney Houston...
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Joe K. 4:56PM (9/17/2009)
How many crack pipes did they sell?
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Bill 5:27PM (9/17/2009)
Hey could be worse! My WRX blew up Monday night with 6700 miles on the clock!!
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Tourian 6:03PM (9/17/2009)
Man that blows. My condolences. Its mighty big of you to even come out and say that. Most Subie fans blow off the stories of early engine failures as being rare and non relevant, but will laugh about something like this recall and the plastic accelerator pedal.
jhh 6:09PM (9/17/2009)
I own a Ralliart 2009, how would i know if my car is subject to this problem? i live in canada btw.
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Tourian 10:15AM (9/18/2009)
Call your dealer or call Mitsubishi.
PG 6:23PM (9/17/2009)
I don't think I've EVER seen a single Ralliart on the road since they went on sale.
Sure, there are regular Lancers all over the place, and it's hard to miss the occasional Evo — but I have yet to the Ralliart. What's the deal?
Guess the MS3 is the sporty compact car to have down here in Texas...
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JustB 6:36PM (9/17/2009)
That's funny, there is no 2008 Ralliart, and there is no such thing as a 2009 Evo. And there is no such thing as a 2008 OR 2009 Sportback. So it's confusing to say the least. It should read:
2008 Lancer Evolution and 2009 Lancer Ralliart recall.
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Andre Neves 12:29AM (9/18/2009)
Google it.
Just because the U.S doesn't get something doesn't mean it was never made.
JustB 5:30PM (9/18/2009)
Yes, but this is a US-specific "NHTSA" recall. So it doesn't matter where else they were sold.
Cscamp20 9:32PM (9/17/2009)
Does the dealerships know if NHTSA will issue a recall ahead of time. i brought my Evo x to the dealership this past monday and they never said anything.
So what does the IX being more fun to drive than the X got anything to do with this recall?
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BoneHeadOtto 8:55AM (9/18/2009)
the STi and EVO have lost sight of what made them great. They used to be very light weight for AWD powerful, raw, and INEXPENSIVE! It is crazy that they are now competing price wise with a 1 series BMW that is way more luxurious and just as fast. The draw with these cars from the WRX to the STi was that they were insane bang for the buck. The 2009 WRX is the only one that almost sticks to the formula, but they made it too soft and too ugly.
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Jason 7:33PM (9/18/2009)
I don't think they have. I paid $30K for my Evo X GSR with 0% financing through Mitsubishi. With another $3000 for a Perrin Stage III setup my car now has 411hp and 423 lb ft of tq. $33K for a car with those numbers, AWD, and one of the best traction control systems out there (until you turn it off and have fun) isn't a bad deal IMO. I would EAT a 135 dollar for dollar, on straight or twisty roads.
That being said, I did cross shop with a 135i. I couldn't find a 135 (vs the na 1 series) for less than $40K, and having to pay $3000 for a "real leather" option in a BMW was just stupid to me. Base 135 comes with no "luxury" options (no leather, no nav, no RFID key, etc.) By the time you get a 135i with enough options to make it "luxury" over the Evo, you could buy a 335i with the same options as that 135i. 335i is more practical, and just as fun to drive as the 135i. 135i feels "small" when you try to put stuff or people in it, but doesn't feel any "smaller" than the 335i when you start going around corners. 335i as competition for the Evo X I can see, but 135i is a joke. Evo X dollar for dollar will smoke them both in terms of performance, mods included.
Evo X is a lot nicer outside and in than an Evo IX, and I've driven the new STis... I would much rather have an 04-05 STi than the new ones. Looks better, better mods available, and I'm not a fan of all of the mechanical failures (ring lands, rods, etc.) that are happening with the new STis. That's really "hush hush" among the Subie community though and nobody wants to acknowledge it.
I've had the Evo Stage III'd out for the past 9600 miles, some of which are track miles, and I've had zero problems.
BoneHeadOtto 10:25PM (9/18/2009)
The Evo X with the vishnu mods is how it should have come from the factory. But Edmunds lists the base GSR for $34k and the starting price for an MR touring is over $41k. Quite off the mark IMO. Now if these cars had 400hp from the factory they would be great. But they have departed from the cheap speed equation. Not too long ago an Evo IX RS could be had for around $25k and except for the MR, evos started well below $30k. But sounds like you got yours for a good deal sir.
BoneHeadOtto 10:29PM (9/18/2009)
Oh and honestly the only car out there that is super fast for super cheap is the Cobalt SS. Beats the stock EVO MR around the track and does so for $23k. If Chevy could get their heads out of the sand long enough to put that engine and price on a decent looking car, then THAT will be the next must have performance bargain. Hoping a Cruz SS appears, or the prices of the beloved WRX, EVO come down to where they should be, right at Toyota Camry price range.
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