The steering column came loose on my Lancer again, only this time it literally fell into my lap before I could get it to a dealer. This means this is the SECOND time my steering column has come loose in under 75k miles! The service rep told me it would be around $170 because it was past the 12 month, 12k mile warranty for the last repair. Isn't there a law out there protecting car owners from manufacturer defects that present a safety hazard? The rep claims that even seatbelts are not required to be fixed under any law, only if there is a recall. Of course, the guy offered to let the car sit for a week until a Mitsu rep could come out and see it, but that seems to be their tactic with many people on this forum, because they know you can't go without your car for that long. Nybody know where I can find some legal references?

 

that sucks man, mitsu is such an a$s when it coles to covering stuff under the warrany.

I found this link that might help you: http://www.enjoythedrive.com/content/?ID=8124

 

Nice link, but my car is out of warranty so it doesn't apply. I just think safety items that are not wear items should not be acting like this. The steering column could come out and I would lose my steering and crash! I'm wondering if I should take this matter to some governing board or something.

 

Are the bolts coming out or what? That is weird, is this a common problem? I would probably look at you local phone directory and call some of the attorney's that are listed and see if there is something you can do. My Mitsu dealer has been really cool about everything I have talked to them about. Sorry, your dealership sucks. I would definately get some pics of this and document it.

 

Find an Attorney and teach Mitsu a lesson.

 

The dealer service department used to be great when John Miurth was working there, now they just play games because they know you don't want to leave the car there for a few days while they pretend to be debating over something. The dealership, on the other hand, always sucked, trying to give you nothing for your trade-in and charging the largest markups in the country. So far, they did a temporary fix on it, but he's not happy with the work so he's not going to charge me yet. He's going to talk to his manager and see what they can do for me. They can't figure out why the column doesn't want to go all the way into its bracket. Sounds like a defect or design flaw to me, we'll see what they decide before I continue ranting.

 

maybe the f'ed it up when they replaced it the first time. Also if you talk to the mitsu rep just say something like "yeah im just glad it didnt happen while i was driving, that would of been a hell of a lawsuit" then start laughing, im sure he will get the picture.

 

Yeah I might have to do that. Worse, though, it DID happen while I was driving, on a canyon road at that! I had been serving jury duty in Malibu the past few days and was heading to my girl's house via Topanga Canyon when the steering wheel fell into my lap! Lucky it still steered, but it was annoying spreading my legs like I was giving birth to a steering wheel!

 

Update, only a few months after they repaired it for the second time, it's starting to move around again. best of all, the dealership is no longer selling Mitsubishis. Had to take it to a new dealership who says the steering wheel needs replacing as well, but since I mentioned this was a reacurring problem, he gave me the Mitsu number. I called them, had to give my whole story to one guy who then told me it sounds like a case for a rep manager, so I waited on hold for about 20 minutes (I would say it was an hour but I don't exagerate) and gave her the same information. She put me on hold and called the dealership my car is at, and just told them to call the district manager and get back to me. I feel like I'm on a merry-go-round.

My friend thinks I should call a lawyer since it is a safety issue, but he also thinks that I can still claim lemon law at this 84k mile mark since the problem started before the warranty period was up. I don't think it works that way, but I'm giving Mitsu service a chance to fix the problem first. If that doesn't work, I'll see what a lawyer can do.

 

here you go brian...

http://www.california-lemonlaw.com/c..._law_faqs.html

too bad you couldn't make the LONG trip to Oak Park and go talk to them in person

that's what i would do. i dont know if it will fall under that, but i definately think something should be done!!

 

Wow, Oak Park huh? I rode my bike past there this morning. Glad I won't have to go far if I need someone to talk to. Actually, I'm moving to Encino in 3 weeks (getting married), but that's still close by. Thanks for the info.

 

Have you contacted the Mitsu regional office? Service Dept. managers tend to get REAL friendly after you do that (in my experience).

 

Yeah I called. They took a better look at it and decided the people who did the last job didn't tighten the break-away bolts to spec. Funny how it works:

When I was paying: "You need a new steering wheel at $1750"
When they're paying: "Oh the bolts weren't tightened. No charge"

Anyway, I got it back today and the steering column feels fine, the play is gone. Too bad it will take a week to get the side view mirror in (lady opened her door as I was driving by) so I told them to order it but I won't pick it up until after the honeymoon. Ah well, for now all is well. Check back in a year to see if it stays that way.

 

Yeah, that'll be your next post date.

 

yeah remember the comment about Bomb Squad? You can have my #2 spot!