View Poll Results: Warranty claim problems/ No claim problems.
Submitted claim, wasn't honored or had problems
129
58.90%
Submitted claim, no problems getting it fixed.
93
42.47%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 219. You may not vote on this poll
Warranty Issues <Mega Merge>
News from the Associated Press today (14-Jun-2004)
"TOKYO - Police on Monday raided the home of the former president of Mitsubishi Motors Corp., who was arrested last week on suspicion of hiding auto defects." Here's the link to a couple of related articles:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5207688/
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,...3a6026,00.html
"TOKYO - Police on Monday raided the home of the former president of Mitsubishi Motors Corp., who was arrested last week on suspicion of hiding auto defects." Here's the link to a couple of related articles:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5207688/
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,...3a6026,00.html
Evolving Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
This is idiotic of Mitsu usa. They are selling a hairy-chested, easily mod-able turbo-charged super-fast rally machine called the EVO. How can they void warranties for using the car exactly as Mitsu usa intended??? 
Evolving Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by MSM_S2K
News from the Associated Press today (14-Jun-2004)
"TOKYO - Police on Monday raided the home of the former president of Mitsubishi Motors Corp., who was arrested last week on suspicion of hiding auto defects." Here's the link to a couple of related articles:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5207688/
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,...3a6026,00.html
"TOKYO - Police on Monday raided the home of the former president of Mitsubishi Motors Corp., who was arrested last week on suspicion of hiding auto defects." Here's the link to a couple of related articles:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5207688/
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,...3a6026,00.html
Originally Posted by ringthree
This issue is not only old news but is completely unrelated to the issue at hand.
covering up known defects and denying warranty claims on same.Seems timely and related to me.
my 2 cents
maybe you heard my story...but i'm on my second motor in a 2000 mile car....the first one was replaced under warranty...but they said up yours on the second one....went all the way up the ladder at MBNA....they said no way...customer abuse........even though i really think they rebuilt the first motor improperly....they redid the bottom end an reinstalled the motor....they didn't replace or clean the oil cooler...so the contamination went right back into the motor....i just think they messed up on a rebuild...so anyways....i'm on my own...my car is at my shop and i'm pulling the motor out now as we speak and looking for a block and crank.....anyways....Mitsubishi first told me that they wouldn't cover any cars engine failure with aftermarket clutches...even thought they put the aftermarket clutch in for me....without a warning....i race at local car club events.....i'm had the car on the track 3 times....the first time the clutch went...the second time the motor blew and the 3rd time the motor blew again......my fault...maybe..i dunno...let me know what you found out...thanks..wayne..www.pulpracing.com
Newbie
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Santa Ana CA
Originally Posted by KurtP
really? and how did they substantiate that? oh they didnt...oh ok...so, in other words, something where you have a defined start and finish that is timed where the goal is to get from the start to the end as fast as you can at high rpm boost and WOT and thats no more desctructive than reagular driving??
sounds to me like you are the ignorant one. machinery wears. the harder you use it the faster you make it go the more quickly it will wear. thats a fact of engineering life.
sounds to me like you are the ignorant one. machinery wears. the harder you use it the faster you make it go the more quickly it will wear. thats a fact of engineering life.
I agree, but the rate that it wears is not acceptable nor is the lack of backing behind on mitsu's cars
I could beat the snot out of my Grand am at 10 autocross events and not have 1/10 of the problems that have arisen.
Originally Posted by MSM_S2K
Mitsubishi is voiding motor and drive train warranties including transmission for any cars that participate in an Sports Car of America (SCCA) event or any other timed event.
It seems that Mitsubishi has set up an automatic web search that looks for registration and results information for any Mitsubishi. They then capture the race results information, match it to vehicle purchase and service records and proactively put the car on "warranty restriction". Those of you with new cars, may want to not list the actual car make or use a screen name.
I bought this car for my son about 2 months ago. The voiding of the motor and drive train warranty is especially puzzling to me as I was completely open with the dealer that sold the car to me, that I was going to allow my son to participate in SCCA events -- even invited the sales person and his manager to come for a ride along. Was the dealer's response to tell me that this would void the warranty on the new car? Nope. His response was "...what a cool way to keep your son from getting in trouble on the streets."
Sure would have appreciated knowing that parking lots and cones would void the warranty on the Evo. I guess although the car is "race inspired", Mitsubishi considers chasing cones at 25 to 60 mph in parking lot to be too much for their "embodying everything a performance enthusiast looks for in a car" model.
It seems that Mitsubishi has set up an automatic web search that looks for registration and results information for any Mitsubishi. They then capture the race results information, match it to vehicle purchase and service records and proactively put the car on "warranty restriction". Those of you with new cars, may want to not list the actual car make or use a screen name.
I bought this car for my son about 2 months ago. The voiding of the motor and drive train warranty is especially puzzling to me as I was completely open with the dealer that sold the car to me, that I was going to allow my son to participate in SCCA events -- even invited the sales person and his manager to come for a ride along. Was the dealer's response to tell me that this would void the warranty on the new car? Nope. His response was "...what a cool way to keep your son from getting in trouble on the streets."
Sure would have appreciated knowing that parking lots and cones would void the warranty on the Evo. I guess although the car is "race inspired", Mitsubishi considers chasing cones at 25 to 60 mph in parking lot to be too much for their "embodying everything a performance enthusiast looks for in a car" model.
I made the same mistake about telling the dealer that I planned to enter an event after buying the car and they said that was fine and SOLD ME AN EXTENDED WARRANTY!! I was one of the first in my state to have an Evo and was shocked to see that my warranty was void within a couple of weeks of owning the car. They had it tagged at 'extensively modified' and voided my warranty. Seeing as how I only had a turbo timer (something that HELPS the car) I was pretty puzzled.
They pissed me off so much with their lies and deception that I traded the car in after only two and a half months and bought an Acura NSX. Mitsubishi may be saving a penny here and there by voiding warranties and pissing people off, but they are going to lose out in the long run with losing customers. I was strongly considering buying a SECOND Evo to go with my silver one, but after the way I was treated I will never buy another Mitsu again.
(*The kicker was that they claimed to have reports of me running at high speeds in one of the events but when I called them out on the fact that there was ANOTEHR SILVER EVO entered in the same event they choked. That is right boys, look closer...that car was NOT mine that was doing the crazy stuff!! Jerks never even apologized, just said, 'Oh'. Bastards!!
)
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: New Orleans, LA
This really sucks. I love the EVO, but hate Mitsubishi. I hope they are reading this. THIS IS THE LAST MITSUBISHI I WILL EVER BUY!
When I modified my 1999 WS6 Trans Am - cam, lifters, valvetrain, intake manifold, lid, filter, long tube headers, y-pipe, catback, pullies, suspension - the dealer never blinked an eye. They fixed any problem I had that was not associated with the modifications (mostly electrical problems, window motors, t-stat, etc.). Actaully, the service department at the dealership loved my car!
I'll keep the EVO. But after this, no more Mitsus. I own and operate a service based business. I have a hard time believing a customer service policy such as this will help thier financial situation. It really sucks for them. The enthusiast are usually the most loyal customers.
When I modified my 1999 WS6 Trans Am - cam, lifters, valvetrain, intake manifold, lid, filter, long tube headers, y-pipe, catback, pullies, suspension - the dealer never blinked an eye. They fixed any problem I had that was not associated with the modifications (mostly electrical problems, window motors, t-stat, etc.). Actaully, the service department at the dealership loved my car!
I'll keep the EVO. But after this, no more Mitsus. I own and operate a service based business. I have a hard time believing a customer service policy such as this will help thier financial situation. It really sucks for them. The enthusiast are usually the most loyal customers.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Got a good laugh with this thread.
After abusing my clutch, I felt better yelling at Mitsu sales and service people since they didn’t want to warranty the replacement with only 9500 miles. Thinking seriously about trading the Evo in for something else before I accidentally abuse the transmission, diff, or anything else they forgot to install with a reliable working part.
After abusing my clutch, I felt better yelling at Mitsu sales and service people since they didn’t want to warranty the replacement with only 9500 miles. Thinking seriously about trading the Evo in for something else before I accidentally abuse the transmission, diff, or anything else they forgot to install with a reliable working part.
Wow ... two motors that's painful. I can't believe they didn't replace the oil cooler! They saved a few $100 on the warranty covered work by not replacing it and in the end you end up having to pay for repairs once again because they phucked up. 
I'm sorry to see handling these issues the way they are.
What was it that failed with the two motors?
Best of luck with your third motor.
I'm sorry to see handling these issues the way they are. What was it that failed with the two motors?
Best of luck with your third motor.
Originally Posted by racerferrari
maybe you heard my story...but i'm on my second motor in a 2000 mile car....the first one was replaced under warranty...but they said up yours on the second one....went all the way up the ladder at MBNA....they said no way...customer abuse........even though i really think they rebuilt the first motor improperly....they redid the bottom end an reinstalled the motor....they didn't replace or clean the oil cooler...so the contamination went right back into the motor....i just think they messed up on a rebuild...so anyways....i'm on my own...my car is at my shop and i'm pulling the motor out now as we speak and looking for a block and crank.....anyways....Mitsubishi first told me that they wouldn't cover any cars engine failure with aftermarket clutches...even thought they put the aftermarket clutch in for me....without a warning....i race at local car club events.....i'm had the car on the track 3 times....the first time the clutch went...the second time the motor blew and the 3rd time the motor blew again......my fault...maybe..i dunno...let me know what you found out...thanks..wayne..www.pulpracing.com
Mitsu did the same thing to the EVO in our banner on this site. Last year a rep here bought that one in early April and entered it in the One Lap Of America. 6,000 miles round trip with 90% of that on highways. He had 3 oil changes done in that time between race events. When they finished, he had a slight engine knock and reported it to the dealer. As soon as he told them it was used in competition they took his VIN and flagged the car on their systems. It was brand new out of the box, about a month old. Not too soon after that he got mad at Mitsu for not taking care of it and sold the car for an S2000. Its really too bad.
I just about talked my buddy/neighbor into buying a Galant based off of how much I really love my EVO. Now...after all this warranty crap, I've just left the conversation alone, and I think he's going back to the Accord.
MITSUBISHI, IF YOU WANT ME TO HELP SELL YOUR VEHICLES DON'T BUGGER UP THE WARRANTY SERVICE ON ANY OF OUR EVOS!!!
Now if I only can get ahold of the JD Power and Assoc. survey and change it. Hmmmm...
jcnel.
MITSUBISHI, IF YOU WANT ME TO HELP SELL YOUR VEHICLES DON'T BUGGER UP THE WARRANTY SERVICE ON ANY OF OUR EVOS!!!
Now if I only can get ahold of the JD Power and Assoc. survey and change it. Hmmmm...
jcnel.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
You guys should buy Mazdas =) Anyone who competes with any Mazda at least twice a year (autox counts) can become a member of Mazdaspeed Motorsports where you can get stock and race parts at cost. They even have contingency programs that give out money and give us special pricing on new Mazdas.
As for the warranty claim denials I don't see it holding water but it would probably have to go to court. Mitsu has stipulations in their warranty that say "If you race it and break it it's your problem". Fine. However Mitsubishi has absolutely no grounds to deny warranty work on your vehicle because there is an entry record of you in a red Evo at some event on some date. Without a VIN they cannot prove which car you drove. Maybe you were driving your neighbor's red Evo and not your own red Evo. Maybe you own two red Evos; are they going to deny both? Are they going to deny warranty work to every red Evo in the county or only every red Evo they feel you may have driven at sometime?
Mitsu can put whatever clauses they wish in their warranty; that's their right. The burden is also theirs to show you in fact drove a particular car at the event. Without a VIN on the entry or a Mitsu rep running around checking them they can't do that. Either way you're going to have to fight and that costs money. It's a typical case of the "big" guy trying to intimidate the "little" guy by sounding tough.
As for the warranty claim denials I don't see it holding water but it would probably have to go to court. Mitsu has stipulations in their warranty that say "If you race it and break it it's your problem". Fine. However Mitsubishi has absolutely no grounds to deny warranty work on your vehicle because there is an entry record of you in a red Evo at some event on some date. Without a VIN they cannot prove which car you drove. Maybe you were driving your neighbor's red Evo and not your own red Evo. Maybe you own two red Evos; are they going to deny both? Are they going to deny warranty work to every red Evo in the county or only every red Evo they feel you may have driven at sometime?
Mitsu can put whatever clauses they wish in their warranty; that's their right. The burden is also theirs to show you in fact drove a particular car at the event. Without a VIN on the entry or a Mitsu rep running around checking them they can't do that. Either way you're going to have to fight and that costs money. It's a typical case of the "big" guy trying to intimidate the "little" guy by sounding tough.
Last edited by DamonB; Jun 16, 2004 at 01:27 PM.
Originally Posted by DamonB
You guys should buy Mazdas =) Anyone who competes with any Mazda at least twice a year (autox counts) can become a member of Mazdaspeed Motorsports where you can get stock and race parts at cost. They even have contingency programs that give out money and give us special pricing on new Mazdas.
As for the warranty claim denials I don't see it holding water but it would probably have to go to court. Mitsu has stipulations in their warranty that say "If you race it and break it it's your problem". Fine. However Mitsubishi has absolutely no grounds to deny warranty work on your vehicle because there is an entry record of you in a red Evo at some event on some date. Without a VIN they cannot prove which car you drove. Maybe you were driving your neighbor's red Evo and not your own red Evo. Maybe you own two red Evos; are they going to deny both? Are they going to deny warranty work to every red Evo in the county or only every red Evo they feel you may have driven at sometime?
Mitsu can put whatever clauses they wish in their warranty; that's their right. The burden is also theirs to show you in fact drove a particular car at the event. Without a VIN on the entry or a Mitsu rep running around checking them they can't do that. Either way you're going to have to fight and that costs money. It's a typical case of the "big" guy trying to intimidate the "little" guy by sounding tough.
As for the warranty claim denials I don't see it holding water but it would probably have to go to court. Mitsu has stipulations in their warranty that say "If you race it and break it it's your problem". Fine. However Mitsubishi has absolutely no grounds to deny warranty work on your vehicle because there is an entry record of you in a red Evo at some event on some date. Without a VIN they cannot prove which car you drove. Maybe you were driving your neighbor's red Evo and not your own red Evo. Maybe you own two red Evos; are they going to deny both? Are they going to deny warranty work to every red Evo in the county or only every red Evo they feel you may have driven at sometime?
Mitsu can put whatever clauses they wish in their warranty; that's their right. The burden is also theirs to show you in fact drove a particular car at the event. Without a VIN on the entry or a Mitsu rep running around checking them they can't do that. Either way you're going to have to fight and that costs money. It's a typical case of the "big" guy trying to intimidate the "little" guy by sounding tough.
I know quite a few people that race Miatas. They've all enjoyed pointing out the excellent support from Mazda including the contingency money. With respect to the warranty claim, I'm unfortunately too honest for my own good. When the Mitsubishi corporate district service manager mentioned that the warranty restriction was due to participation in the 16-May SCCA Solo 2 ... I freely admited it was us. I still do. I just wish that
had been as honest with me about SCCA events voiding warranties when I bought the car! Now that we have the repaired Evo back, my son and I have both noticed that the motor sounds quite a bit different about 4,000 RPM than it did when we first bought the car. It made kind of a buzzing sound before, now it doesn't it. The car had a 179 miles on it when we bought it ... I was assured that it was NOT driven aggressively and was kept below 5,000 RPM. Yeah ... okay, I'm an idiot for taking people at their word. Now I wonder if the car saw a LOT more abuse before we purchased it than it ever experienced during the 6 minutes of autocrossing at the 16-May event!
Yep, six minutes of auto-x (6 timed runs of about 56 seconds) cost me the warranty on a brand new car. About two weeks later in a parking lot the motor fails and I'm out-of-pocket $7,900 for repairs on a car with 3,000 miles on it.
