As far as dynoflash being done I don't know about that.

The stock ECU can do the same effect with the knock and pulling of timing but i can work on fixing the problem with AEM. Also with the mods that i'm planning on the car in the long run i will need AEM regardless. I'm just saying that i will be able to tune the car correctly with it and stop preventable engine failures. I live 20 minutes from AMS and I'm fully confident that they will tune my car correctly to make the most power it can and have a large margin of saftey and relieability.

 

You have to remember that they have no way of telling that the boost controller
wasn't set differently before. You only have your word of mouth to back you up.
This is exactly what they would argue in a court of law. My opinion.

On the issue of warranty denial, I read that dealerships that were initially
accepting repairs under warranty were being denied payment from Mitusbishi.
This is not surprising from a financially troubled automaker.

 

Derick, below is a copy and past of an earlier summary of my situation. Mitsu is being very aggressive in placing proactive warranty restrictions on Evos for just about any reason they can find (SCCA events, modifications, failed parts ).

Previous Summary:
It's been a while since I did a recap and many of the same issues keep coming up. Most of which are addressed in the correspondence I sent to Mitsubishi in response to their press release and quotes in the Autoweek article.

The language in the Mitsu warranty makes it clear that racing alone does not give MMNA any right to void the warranty ... problems or failures related to racing are not covered by warranty. Simple participation in an event does NOT give MMNA the right to void your warranty. As I'm directly experiencing fighting this type of situation is a difficult and time consuming process. One that Mitsu likely assumes most will not take the time to pursue.

As to Evo Neal's claims of pictures and low oil. A low oil explanation would make a lot more sense to me than the warranty restriction based on participation in an SCCA Solo 2 event. Dealer made no claim about the car being low on oil. Nor did the MMNA District Service Manager. First thing I checked was the oil and it was fine.

Here's the correspondence to Janis Little (MMNA):



Ms. Little:

I'm puzzled by the disparity between the 18-June-2004 Mitsubishi Press Release, your statements in the 30-June-2004 Autoweek article written by Andrew Luu and the specifics of Mitsubishi's handling of my situation.

My Mitsubishi customer service file number is: 351806.

I'd appreciate your clarifications on the disparity between the following Mitsubishi statements and Mitsubishi's handling of my warranty situation.
- "We give the benefit of the doubt to everyone..."
- "If a Lancer Evolution is brought to Mitsubishi Motors dealer for a diagnosis as to a possible warrantable condition and the dealer determines that modifications were made that may have caused the problem"
- "The dealer and if necessary, MMNA staff, investigate each case, always giving the owner the benefit of the doubt."
- "Adds Mitsubishi’s Little: "You’re not going to get black-flagged just for entering an auto-cross,..."

I expect that "benefit of the doubt" would include at a minimum the "diagnosis" that Mitsubishi claims as part of "investigated each case". So what was done in my case?
- No diagnosis or investigation of the issue whatsoever. If you doubt this, pls feel free to contact the service person from Ken Garff Mitsubishi in Sandy Utah. His name is Todd and his direct phone number is 801 523-5482.
- No one even looked at the car to determine what had failed -- let alone whether it was related to participating in a single SCCA event 2 weeks before.
- I was told by the Mitsubishi District Service Manager that the warranty restriction was put on my Evo on the 16-May, two weeks before the motor failure. Is that true? I have no idea. Either way, I know that no one did any diagnosis or investigation on the failure.

I'd also like a clarification on your statement that "You’re not going to get black-flagged just for entering an auto-cross,..."
- Puzzling statement as that is precisely what happened in my situation

Finally, let's take a look at this statement about the Mitsubishi warranty.
- "Mitsubishi clearly states in its Owner's Warranty and Maintenance booklet that problems or failures related to racing, alteration and/or vehicle modifications are not covered conditions."

The Mitsubishi warranty is explicit that it is problems or failures related to racing that are not covered by warranty. Is the failure of two rods in my Evo weeks after the SCCA event related to racing? A diagnosis would help; some investigation as to whether that is the case would help -- unfortunately no one from Mitsubishi or the dealer even bothered to evaluate the car or even determine what had failed before denying the warranty.

Does the warranty say anywhere that participating in a "racing" event automatically gives Mitsubishi the right to permanently void (warranty restrict) the motor and full drive train? Absolutely not, but again that is precisely what Mitsubishi has done in my case.

Does anyone at Mitsubishi really believe that 6 minutes of autocross -- 10 separate runs through cones in a parking lot of about 55 seconds each in first and second gear -- is the cause of the two rod failures? I don't.

Where there any modifications on my Evo? Nope, not one single modification.

What about other signs of customer abuse? Nope, clutch disk looks fine, brakes look fine and even the tires look fine. Todd from Ken Garff Mitsubishi in Sandy can help with any clarification you’d like here. I also have photographs and will soon have a failure analysis based on an evaluation I’m paying for.

My vehicle was purchased "new" with 179 miles on the odometer. I was assured that no abuse occurred during test drives of my Evo. In hindsight, I was a fool to purchase a new "performance enthusiasts" car with so many miles on it.

Is it likely that the two rod failures are related to test drive or dealer abuse during those 179 initial miles on the car during break in? I think so. I think any reasonable person would accept that it is every bit as likely, if not more likely, than it being related to 6 minutes of autocross in a parking lot after the car has 2700 miles on it.

I look forward to your clarifications on the above.

Regards,
-Michael Miller

 

Go Mike! As always, let us know the reply.

 

In all fairness to Mitsu, they have been trying to correct their reputation since the arrest of the former president and underlings, did you try speaking to anyone at Mitsu directly??? Maybe they will be more helpful than the dealer, they were for me.

 

Eagerly awaiting reply as well.

 

i think mike has been waiting on a reply since june. man, this really messes up my plans to get the EVO. i guess i need to find a GREAT dealer. might be worth a 8 hour drive to find a really good one, who fixes their cars.

 

Thanks for taking a positive step toward informing that America will not settle for substandard service and shabby product backing.

The Evo is supposed to be an image car - well if it is not backed - then guess what BAD image.

Mitsu is struggling worse than I thought, and is battling mistrust at home in Japan over what? - warranty and recall issues!

you need to work hard and fast to keep that sh#^ out of the US market.

I am having serious reservations that my incoming MR will have adequate backing.

Again - thanks mike and Joel for standing up for all of us.

 

I have owned 5 mitsubishi's 92 FWD Eclipse, 94 FWD,and a 93,&94 AWD and now my 2003 Evolution. I Have never had a problem with Mitsubishi honoring my warranty. I had minor problems 2 transfer cases on the AWD eclipses/axels on one of them,Both cars were modified my 94 AWD had 350 Hp at the wheels, and i took it to the dealer with the modifications they honored my warranty with no problems. Unlike many of you on this forum I have had excellent customer service. All of my car have had the Buschur staged upgrades. I have always followed Tym's advice for any upgrade on the cars. My evolution now has stage III from Buschur Racing and i have brought it in to the dealer many times for little recall things and they have never questioned my warranty or tried to void it. I understand that anything i modify voids that particular part of the warranty of the car. Example if i have coilovers and something in the suspension breaks because of that aftermarket part that i put on the car then fine be it i have modified it and I will pay to have it fixed. But i can't understand why a stock vehicle would have its warranty voided if it was left completely stock and not modified at all. All i know is that the computer does store codes and if the dealer suspects foul play than they will indeed void the warranty. A good example is a boost controler. The car may be totally stock with the boost just turned up.. Hymmm let turn the boost up to 25 pounds wow fast boom opps the piston cracked. Well lets check the codes hymmm ok void the warranty. Its just that simple. I think that if you bring your car in for service and you don't want them to void your warranty Keep it completely stock. Take it to them for all of the service oil changes etc. My point is they have never gave me any kind of a problem that i did not bring on myself. another good example was when i had like 350hp in my AWD eclipse and the clutch burned out,i sure as hell did not expect Mitsubishi to flip for the new clutch for me. I just think that this warranty thing that everyone is talking about is over rated. Their may be a few cases where Mitsubishi is in the wrong but i think no more than any other car company. AND AS FOR HONDA I HAD A 95 CIVIC COUPE With springs and an air filter. I had an electrical problem with the car and they voided the warranty for the car because of the springs and air filter WTF ??? What does an air filter and springs have to do with and electrical problem I don't know but they voided my warranty they put my cars vin into the computer so any dealership i went to knew that my warranty was voided so its not just Mitsubishi its all car companies. Oh and let me say this while i'm at it My brothers G35 warranty was voided because of his aftermarket alarm for his car. They said the alarm was causing electrical problems so he had it taken out and still had the problem. He then threatned to sue them and then all of the sudden he had his warranty back. So people with valid warranty issues with completely stock cars need to step up to Mitsubishi and threaten to sue then or call the Better Business Association. They will be able to help you out with you situation wich will be a long process but will be worth it.

Just my 5 cents.

Derek

P.S. I would not let the warranty issue worry you unless your gonna keep your car completely stock which in my case i won't be so good luck to u all and try to remember most car companies try to get away with murder so fight them tooth and nail.

 

It is ridiculours it's gone on this long.

Get a lawyer. Then they can't ignore you.

john

 

If a diplomatic letter is cc to the folks in Japan, which Japanese men take serious pride or in ther jobs, hearing this BS that we are going through.... I know for a fact that the Evolution line in japan, service personel respects the customers who use the car for weekend competition events, not abuse or all out works car. Why market this car here then if you can't drive it spritedly. I would have bought a Toyota Echo. One time I spoke to a guy in TAMIYA USA, some customer relations dude and I wanted to purchase a video. The guy said it was no longer available and for promo use only, other BS along with it.....which I watch in a Hobby store like a week before I called. So I complained to TAMIYA USA and CC to TAMIYA JAPAN, in 1 day I got a response from Japan for sincerest apology, the guys here in Cali emailed and send me the Video I wanted in DVD and VHS format + the current japanese master catalog, for the current and up coming year....for free....along with and apology. These Bone heads here at Mitsubishi are just dingbats...they will market the car show us pictures on the brochure of it racing, oversteering. Oh but it says do not try to duplicate due to profession drivers. Okay so what if I was a profession driver will they blackball my car? Sorry for the long post....it sucks and I didn't spend this kinda money to buy engineering developed in this car....I am not taking S*** from mitsubishi....no wonder the resale sucks. Start writing Mitsubishi Japan....just complain "to whom it may concern"

 

reading all of this makes me want to sell my evo

 

it's simple, if i were to add mods to my evo i would assume that Mitsu would void my warranty, so im probably going to wait a while till i do anything to it and actually, it's fine stock for right now, im doing everything possible to keep it close to the speed limit without being arrested for felony speeding!

 

By your statement above, I assume that you have not even read what this thread is about. FYI, in this particular case, the car had NO mods!

AFAIK, everyone here agrees with your statement above and that is not what this warranty issue is about. I'm not going to repeat it as it has been done about 50 times already in this thread by others, so I suggest you get a coffee (or beer), sit down and do some catchup reading.

 

FYI, just so you know this is 100% not true. I read that you are thinking of / going to law school so even you should know that it doesn't matter if you live in a no-e-check area. It is a FEDERAL law that you will not tamper or otherwise disable any emissions control device and basically doing anything to it is illegal unless it is broken. That means you can't even put a high-flow cat on a car that has a functioning cat. That is why you hear jokes about people saying "oh darn a screw driver jumped up off the road and punctured my cat. Guess I have to put a new one on."

I'm just tellin ya so you don't find yourself in a bad situation because you thought it was all ok. It isn't. And no I'm not being Mr goodie-goodie ... my talon hasn't had a cat on it for 110k miles; except when I had to get it e-checked . but I also know what I am getting myself into.