Transfer case recall [ merged ]

[boostman]

All transfer case recall threads are merged here.

Does anybody have a number i can call to see if my cars had the recall done?thanks.

 

[EuroGSTSpyder]

Can you tyell me exactly whre it says its for life? I tried to fin dit but couldnt..?

 

[TurboTJ]

it is about 1/3 of the way down the page. It specifies tire recall info and goes on to talk about other saftey recalls. Here is the quote:

Recalls involving tires are specifically limited in the Safety Act such that the owner has only three months from the date of notification to have the recall work accomplished. All other safety recalls are in effect for the life of the product.

Life of the product being life of the vehicle

 

[EuroGSTSpyder]

I have been reading of the t-case safety recall and thats it a recall for the life of the car due to the safety issue involved. Now I have a Tsi AWD and I am not sure if the recall has been made on this car or not. How can I check it and would it still be legit if the car is in Europe instead of the US? The safety issue is still the same I think so it shouldnt matter right?It must be the same no matter where the car is located IMO...?
I also checked NHTSA for the recall and it says there:
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Does this mean a manual car is not affected?Sounds weird. How can I show the dealer that the manual as well is incorporated in this recall?

Questions:
1: How can I check if it has been performed bafore?
2: For a Talon, where to I turn to get it done if not made?Wich dealership shoild I turn to?Chrysler?
3: Can I use the US authorities to point out to the dealer that it is in fact a lifetime recall and contact them to get the delaer to perform the recall?

Any help would be appreciated.

Car has run 112K miles as of right now.

 

[t25fury]

The recall that was put out only mentioned the automatics, it was wrong.For my awd talon I called any local dealership and they checked the vin number and were able to tell me if the recall had been done on it,I found this at dsm.org it may explain it in more detail, heres the link.

http://members.shaw.ca/costall/1000Q/

on the left click on vital recall and safety.

 

[KingAWD]

Yes you would have to use chrysler to get the recall done on a talon, and i don't think you need the local / us authorties to get involved... If the dealership gives you problems then contact the corporate office for chrysler, (Which i had to do) and they will help you out.

 

[EuroGSTSpyder]

I did contact them and they said to contact delership closest by and they would check it for me.

 

[KingAWD]

that bites, either way they wont give you an direct answer unless you take the vehicle in to get checked out...Is the transfer case leaking or what kind of symptons are you getting?

 

[EuroGSTSpyder]

as of right now I have no idea since I just bought the car and its awaiting inspection to be registered here.
Havent heard anything or noticed anything when I lookde underneath quickly but will make a better check in the next few days.
I just read alot about htis and wanna be prepared if/when talking to the dealership y aknow?

 

[steve]

It will be interesting to hear if the recall on the leaking yoke seal (it's not a defect of the transfer case) applies outside the US.

Steve

 

[topnotchgsx]

What if I had a t-case lock up on me and I took it off of the car and took it to them? Will they do anything with it since it is off of the car or does it physically have to still be on the car? I am asking because I never knew about this recall and I was driving down the interstate one day and I guess it leaked all the fluid out and locked up on me going down the road. well I scored another one for free off of a friend and put it on my car. Now my car is going and I wanted to get the recall done on my original. Any way they will do it since it isnt on the car anymore?

Keylan

 

[KingAWD]

I had a leak on the yoke seal, and after all the complaining i did to corporate chrysler they replaced the entire trnsfer case and seals for free... even got the parts same day delivery! I say your best bet is to be stern and don't let up... as for your car coming from overseas, try putting some 75w-90 gear oil and top off your fluids in your drivetrain. You should be fine though... Just make sure you keep a look out on your driveway for spots of gear oil when, you see that then it is time to take it in.

 

[TurboTJ]

Chrysler is refusing to perform my recall. I called NHTSA and they said that chrysler only was obligated to perform it once and since there is some record of chysler performing in in 1998, they dont have to do it again. Does anyone know if this is true?

 

[Boosted98gsx]

When I called the NHTSA they told me that unless the problem was 100% completely FIXED (and not patched like this recall is doing) then the manufacturer has to keep performing the recall. My car was taken in and inspected the first time, and there was nothing wrong, so they sent me on my way. When the yoke was actually leaking, they tried to get out of their obligation to fix the problem, then I waived the 15 million dollar fine in their face and they did their job.

 

[bvass]

Chrysler is refusing to perform my recall. I called NHTSA and they said that chrysler only was obligated to perform it once and since there is some record of chysler performing in in 1998, they dont have to do it again. Does anyone know if this is true?

I talked to a dealership and Mitsubishi Corp. and both of them told me the same thing. We will fix it once for free, and if the problem reoccurs you are on your own. Has anyone had this recall done more than once in recent years? How did you get them to do it?

Has anyone had the recall done more than once in Arizona? If so, where?

 

[eclipsh]

Somewhere in this thread it has to tell you that the manufacturer is obligated to repair the defect EVERY time it happens. Call NHTSA and complain.

 

[Doug99RS]

When I called the NHTSA they told me that unless the problem was 100% completely FIXED (and not patched like this recall is doing)

This recall is not a "PATCH" job in ALL of the allowable repairs described in the recall. If you will take the time to read it you'd see that replacement of the yoke, transfer case and new fluid IS A POSSIBLE OUTCOME of this recall.

I understand that alot of cars have been "Inspected" and sent down the road only to end up leaking later on. But some of you guys are pretty quick to jump on the bandwagon of incompetency and deception. You don't seem accept the possibility that at the time of the original inspection there really was nothing showing signs of leakage. As such the repair mechanic DOES NOT HAVE AUTHORIZATION to do repairs.

Some of you guys are quick to point out the fact that your recall has been performed, the manor in which it was performed was ONLY AN INSPECTION, and that it is leaking now but you don't point out how many years and miles it took for it to finally fail. Consider that when you try and point out incompitency of a mechanic who couldn't see that a seal was going to leak 2 years and 20,000 miles later.

Somewhere in this thread it has to tell you that the manufacturer is obligated to repair the defect EVERY time it happens. Call NHTSA and complain.

You didn't read. Time and time again the outcomes have NOT been consistant and the only thing that has been consistant is that Mitsubishi dealers have ALWAYS been bigger pricks to deal with, Most Eagle dealers will cover it again, and that I've been stating what my prof. experience has been at the dodge dealerships has been (A recall is a recall for life). But I've not heard ANYONE say that they've been able to go back time and time again for the same repair. At best you might get a mitsu owner get it covered a second time but they don't have another friend who got their's covered too and they certainly haven't had it covered a third time unless they have a hook up.
D

 

[eclipsh]

Straight from the NHTSA recall.

Recalls Summary
Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
MITSUBISHI / ECLIPSE 1990-1998
Recall Number: 98V069001

Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.

Consequence:
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ADEQUACY OF THE TRANSFER CASE OIL VOLUME, TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AND OPERATIONAL DEGRADATION OF THE TRANSFER CASE MECHANISM. IF OIL VOLUME IS INSUFFICIENT, THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF OIL WILL BE ADDED. IF THERE IS TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE TRANSFER CASE SHOWS OPERATIONAL DEGRADATION, THE TRANSFER CASE WILL BE REPLACED.

Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN APRIL 20, 1998. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).


Also check out #10, 11 and 12 on this page.

This page is also useful.

Note that nowhere does it state anything about exemption if the recall has been done once. The recall specifically states that, "IF THERE IS TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE TRANSFER CASE SHOWS OPERATIONAL DEGRADATION, THE TRANSFER CASE WILL BE REPLACED."

You are also free to sue the dealership or Mitsubishi if any losses occur due to the transfer case locking up because of the defect. That is on the bottom of this page.

You may be right about mitsu dealers being bigger pricks but they have to do the work or they will be liable for private party lawsuits and government actions.

Also view post #11 on this thread.

 

[selser420]

Chrysler is refusing to perform my recall. I called NHTSA and they said that chrysler only was obligated to perform it once and since there is some record of chysler performing in in 1998, they dont have to do it again. Does anyone know if this is true?

I went through this when I bought mine 2 years ago. CALL CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!! Explain the situation..read up online before you call. Shit...I knew more about the recall then the service rep did!! Needless to say, It made it easy for her to dig up the info. SHe called the dealer while I was on hold.....the dealer called me before I was off the line with the DC rep. Their message??...??.."come pick it up....you're all set".

Be persistent, but be professional with the dealer and the reps. It will get done.

 

[Boosted98gsx]

Thank you Nick.

 

[this_tsi_8urV8]

If for whatever reason nothing works, you can also buy the parts from SBR and do it your self and be done with it. That's what I did.

 

[Doug99RS]

Straight from the NHTSA recall.

Recalls Summary
Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
MITSUBISHI / ECLIPSE 1990-1998
Recall Number: 98V069001

Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.

Consequence:
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ADEQUACY OF THE TRANSFER CASE OIL VOLUME, TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AND OPERATIONAL DEGRADATION OF THE TRANSFER CASE MECHANISM. IF OIL VOLUME IS INSUFFICIENT, THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF OIL WILL BE ADDED. IF THERE IS TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE TRANSFER CASE SHOWS OPERATIONAL DEGRADATION, THE TRANSFER CASE WILL BE REPLACED.

Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN APRIL 20, 1998. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).


Also check out #10, 11 and 12 on this page.

This page is also useful.

Note that nowhere does it state anything about exemption if the recall has been done once. The recall specifically states that, "IF THERE IS TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE TRANSFER CASE SHOWS OPERATIONAL DEGRADATION, THE TRANSFER CASE WILL BE REPLACED."

You are also free to sue the dealership or Mitsubishi if any losses occur due to the transfer case locking up because of the defect. That is on the bottom of this page.

You may be right about mitsu dealers being bigger pricks but they have to do the work or they will be liable for private party lawsuits and government actions.

Also view post #11 on this thread.

You are pointing out very good pages for people who have never had their vehicle's recalls performed before and are still less than 10 years of age. However, you failed to take note of the fact that the vast majority of these questions that are coming up are like this:

-The recall has been performed, it was only an inspection and top off and it is now leaking. Am I still eligible for repairs under the recall even though the recall has been "performed"

I read over some of the information on the pages you listed and did not see ANYTHING that mentioned failure after the fact and the customers right to second repairs.

When a vehicle goes in for a recall repair, the VIN number is flagged in the manufacturer's system as having open recalls. A recall repair is performed, a specific labor operation number claim is sent to the manufacturer so the dealership can be paid for their work and then the VIN is flagged as having the recall completed. For a car to come back in and have the same labor operation number filed OR a related labor operation number filed such as replacement of the T-Case under the recall then that would basically be like filing your taxes twice in the manufacturer's eyes. SO, they reject the claim unless the dealership gets prior authorization from the district manager. At that point the recall can be performed a second time and whatever parts are needed can be installed and hopefully last the life of the car.

But the question still is, where does it say in the NHTSA that you have the right to repairs AFTER the initial recall has been performed within the bounderies it was originally released under? Please keep in mind, I AM NOT ON THE SIDE OF THE DEALERSHIP, I'm just trying to make sure everyone has the right information in hand and doesn't go in with "I was told by some guy off the car club forum." only to be told no again.
Doug

 

[eclipsh]

I called NHTSA this morning to get information straight form the horses mouth.

Doug is correct.

The dealership does not have to do the recall twice.

If enough owners have problems with the problem reoccurring they each need to file an individual complaint with the NHTSA in order for a new recall on prior repairs to be investigated.

This does not prevent you from filing a lawsuit if your transfer case locks up from leakage even after the recall was completed. You just have to be able to prove the yoke seal was the culprit.

SO... if you have a good transfer case and have had the recall done, you may want to go fill the plug with goo as some have suggested.

If you have a second failure of the yoke seal you need to call NHTSA and complain. Have your VIN number handy in case they need it. If enough people complain about a second failure then they will investigate it. It is up to the NHTSA and the manufacturer to decide how far back the recall will go due to it being an issue with a prior recall (messy.) The 10 year rule may apply so if it gets drug out none of our DSMs will be covered anyway.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news everyone but it is better to know for certain. Of course it can't hurt to try and get it done twice but as mentioned above, don't expect it to happen.

Bear in mind this is all going off the word of one low-level bureaucrat. If you want to take it farther up the food chain and have the time to do so, feel free to try.

 

[mksk415]

First let me say that I waded through and read this entire long thread on this topic. I am only now posting because the answer to the question I was searching for was not specifically addressed clearly that I could see. I really hope I didn't just miss it.

My 92 GSX (A/T) only has about 73,000 miles. The previous owner never took it get the T-Case checked. So, I thought it would be a good idea to take it to a dealer here in Alexandria, VA to inspect it because of what I had learned on this forum. In any event, the dealer told me he ran the VIN and there has never been any recalls on my vehicle "and there never will be." I said I thought all AWD Eclipses up until about '98 had a T-case-related recall. (Again, mine's a '92.) He said "nope," but that he "could check it out," but I'd "have to pay for it."

I have read many posts of people stating the dealer told them the recall had previously been done, and etc., so they wouldn't do it again, and all the posts that address that, but this is a different situation.

So, should I just believe him completely when he tells me that my '92 Eclipse GSX "has never been the subject of any recalls by Mitusubishi and "never will""? Should I just say, "okay," and let it go?

Stewart
Thanks in advance. I appreciate your help!!!!

 

[Doug99RS]

I received a PM from a member today with a NEW question that I had not gotten before regarding the recall and this was the content of the PM:

Hello,

First let me say that I waded through and read the entire long merged thread on this topic. I am only writing because the answer to the question I was searching for was not specifically addressed that I could see. You indicated your frustration with repeating answers over and over on this subject so I really hope I didn't just miss it.

I have two eclipses (90 and 92). My 92 GSX only has about 73,000 miles. The previous owner never took it to a dealer here in Alendria, VA to inspect the T-case, so I thought it would be a good idea. I informed the dealer I had learned of the recall on the internet. (He doesn't think much of the internet.) In any event, he told me he ran the VIN and there has never been any recalls on my vehicle "and there never will be." I said I thought all AWD Eclipses up until about '98 had a T-case-related recall. (Again, mine's a '92.) He said "nope," but that he "could check it out," but I'd "have to pay for it."

Therefore, should I just believe him completely when he tells me that my '92 Eclipse GSX "has never been the subject of any recalls by Mitusubishi and "never will"? And, should I just say, "okay," and let it go?

Thanks in advance. I appreciate your help!!!!

This led me to do some searching and here are some links from those searches:
Search for recalls here:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/recallsearch.cfm
1992 Mitsubishi Recall number 98V069001
1992 Eagle Recall number 98V069002

Service Bulletins here:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/

Complain here:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/

To answer the members question, you'll find the answer in this link:
http://www.safercar.gov/pages/ODIFAQsRev2.htm#od12
section 12, limitations.

Basically, the manufacturer is only responsible for providing recall assistance on a vehicle for a certain amount of time. This is considered the normal life of the car. In addition to that if the vehicle has gone for an extremely long period of time without the vehicle having the recall performed and the manufacturer has made several attempts (what they claim to be attempts are mailings via DMV addresses for the VIN, so if you move and the VIN doesn't get moved properly, you don't get notified of a recall) to tell you about a recall then they take the vehicle out of the system and mark it off as a totalled car, lost, or otherwise out-of-service vehicle.

I had a friend with a FWD turbo Laser that had an o2 sensor recall that was still open from about 2 years ago. At the time I still worked for the dealer and we didn't have the part. I printed out the sheet showing the recall was still incomplete. We ordered the part and when it came in and he finally came in to get the part put on, we did another vehicle summary report and the recall no longer showed up. It wasn't complete, incomplete or noted at all. It was simply gone. Because I had the previous sheet still my manager honored the recall and my friend got the o2. This is a prime example of where the simple age of the vehicle and NOT the status of the vehicle (totalled or not) nor the status of the recall (complete or incomplete) can cause a recall to no longer appear to be available for a certain vehicle.

This is why it's important to have a recall performed in a timely manor once you're notified of it. Also, if you hear about a recall on your vehicle DO NOT PAY TO FIND OUT IF THE RECALL APPLIES TO YOUR CAR. This is not a situation where you're trying to see what options came on your car and you want to restore it back to stock/original shape. A recall is a federally mandated repair that the dealership HAS TO PERFORM under the provisions laid out in the recall instructions. As such they cannot without information about your vehicles' recall status. Also, it's illegal for a New Car Dealership to sell a vehicle in which a recall has an open recall on it so make sure you know you're not buying one that hasn't been fixed.
Doug

 

[mksk415]

Thanks Doug!

I thought my PM didn't go through because it didn't show up in my messages. I see from your post however it did go through.

I understand. It looks like I'm SOL. I may try to complain, but since my car's more than 10 years old, it looks like I probably am just plain SOL.

I should clarify what I said about the dealer saying it would cost me. This was in reference to him inspecting the transfer case, i.e., he won't do it for free. I should at least do that.

Stewart