UPDATE: THE DEALER HAS AGREED TO COVER THE REPAIR AT NO COST TO ME. Thank you Mark from the dealer.

Below is the complaint I filed through the BBB against Mitsubishi and their initial response. I was limited to 1,500 characters, so I had to abbreviate and summarize different things. Please post any thoughts, ideas, comments, or questions (I can post a rebuttal in the next seven days). I doubt this would influence anyone on this forum, but I'm almost at the point of denying Mitsubishi of my money, recommendations, etc for any of their products for the rest of my life.

-Complaint Summary-

Mitsubishi refuses to perform a warranty repair on the transfer case of my 2006 Lancer Evolution MR because they claim my car was vandalized.

-Complaint Description-

I dropped my car off at the Newport News Hall Mitsubishi for its 45,000 mile maintenance (~45,300 miles) on Aug 7th, 2010 which included a multi-point inspection. I picked it up the same day knowing I would take it back in (17Aug) for an issue likely unrelated to this case (brakes).

On 24Aug, I dropped my car off for a constant winding noise that was diagnosed as a damaged rear differential. The rear diff was replaced under warranty and I picked up my car 30Aug.

I still heard a similar noise so I took my car in on 2Sep. The Mitsu service rep informed me that the rear diff was in good condition, that the noise was a different noise from before, and that there was a Mitsu service message stating that the noise is common to my model. So I picked up my car 7Sep.

On 28Sep (~46,300 miles), I heard and felt indications that my car was severely damaged. I had it towed to the dealer. On the 29th, I was informed that there was damage to the transfer case and that my car would be sent to the Virginia Beach Hall Mitsu since there was an Evo specialist there.

On 5Oct, I was informed that Mitsu would not repair my car under warranty because allegedly the fill plug was missing which caused the fluid to leak out which caused the damage. The service rep claims it was vandalism. An insurance rep and I believe it is far more likely that during one of the previous visits, the plug was not secured in place.

No non-Mitsu service has been done since purchase (Dec '09).

-(I added this in a different text box since I ran out of space)-

I have not been fully satisfied with the service I have received from the Newport News dealer. After the first time I dropped off my car, I noticed a missing power steering cap and a shift cable link came loose soon after they replaced my clutch and flywheel. However, I cannot be certain of the state of my vehicle beforehand as I had owned the vehicle less than a month.

-Company's Initial Response-

Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc. ("MMNA") acknowledges Mr. X’s complaint regarding his 2006 Lancer Evolution. We appreciate the opportunity to review and respond to this consumer's complaint and have opened a case for documentation (XXXXXX). Our office along with our District Parts Service Manager and the local Mitsubishi dealer (Hall Mitsubishi, Virginia Beach, VA) has reviewed Mr. X’s request for assistance with the transfer case repair needed on his vehicle. We have taken into full consideration the circumstances he presented as well as Mitsubishi’s Customer Service policies and the inspection/diagnosis of the transfer case cause of failure. Unfortunately, repairs needed to this component cannot be covered by the limited vehicle warranty since the cause of the transfer case failure has been determined to be as a result of a transfer case fluid fill plug missing which consequently leaked all the fluid out and damaged the internal parts of the transfer case. The limited vehicle warranty of any Mitsubishi vehicle cover repairs to failures as a result of a defective part only. Altered, missing or modified parts that cause mechanical failures have no provision in the limited vehicle warranty. We apologize that a more favorable response is not possible and thank you for allowing us the opportunity to document, review and respond to this consumer complaint.

-Initial Response Summary-

Respectfully decline warranty coverage for transfer case repair needed for this consumer vehicle.


A few notes that didn't get sent with this complaint:
o The insurance rep I refer to at the end took a look at my car and realized how much time, work, and competence would be required to remove the plug (as part of vandalism). So in part because of this, I was refused coverage through my insurance company.
o Unless anyone has any brilliant ideas, it would be difficult to prove in a court of law that the damage was due to Mitsubishi's negligence. Of course, I doubt they could prove the opposite.

Some questions I have for anyone with more knowledge than me:
o Does Mitsu look at the transfer case oil during 45k maintenance or a multi-point inspection?
o Would anything be done to the transfer case during diagnosis or replacement of the rear differential?
o Anyone know the details of the service message I refer to?
o Should I attempt a complaint directly with the dealer? How should I approach that?

 

The NN Mitsubishi don't know nothing I had kinda same problem with mine noise from t-case and I did bring it there it was told to me it was the transmission is bad sir.
As soon he told me it I told them get my car right now all the gears work great long story short. It had wrong oil in transfer case the NN SHOP DON'T KNOW NOTHING GUESS CUZ THERE A FORD/MITSUBISHI

 

The dealer has agreed to cover the repair at no cost to me.

 

That's great

 

Good to hear. They may have drained tcsse during clutch n flywheel install

 

I would have been sick after this.
Good to see you handled this in a good manner.