Transfer Case Officially Recalled

[DocEBrown]

I just recently purchased one of the 16 green 99VR-4's. I bought it in Mentor, Ohio and within 24 hours of me having the car I scatered the teeth on the pinion and several teeth on the ring gear. I was racing a Saleen on I-480 at 135 and hear a slam/pop under the hood and instantly lost 5 MPH and smealt probably the strongest burning organinc matter smell since I roasted a clutch in my TA. They fixed it under the 5/60k mile warranty. Once I read this original post about there being a recall I told them to fix it and they said there had been no recall on this item as far as they know. There has not even been an official TSB put out to their knowledge. Now I know I am dealing with some high-order rocket scientists at that dealership but they should be able to check for a recall number.

[Todd95VR4]

So the pinion and ring gear are housed inside the transfer case? That's cool you've got a '99, but sucks you had such a problem so soon. Glad to hear you got it covered under warranty. So what happened after you lost 5 MPH? Could you still drive it or did you have to pull to the side and then have it towed? And how were you doing with the Saleen before you blew? I suppose he just kept going, probably not even knowing or caring what happened to you.

[Mitsu3kGTVRpho]

I just called Duane Mitsubishi in Randolph, NJ and I just told them there was a recall on my transfer case. He put me on hold cuz he had to look my vin up in the computer which took about 5 min and then he came back on and told me yeah there is a recall on the transfer case, just bring it in. He also said there is another recall... 2 recalls?... I'll have to ask him when I drop my car off tomorrow. I asked him what they had to do and he just said bring it in cuz they have to look at it and see if they have the parts to fix it. Sounds good to me, that was really easy... Anyone else do this? How long does it take for them to fix?

thanks

[1991RT_TT]

Originally posted by Mitsu3kGTVRpho
I just called Duane Mitsubishi in Randolph, NJ and I just told them there was a recall on my transfer case. He put me on hold cuz he had to look my vin up in the computer which took about 5 min and then he came back on and told me yeah there is a recall on the transfer case, just bring it in. He also said there is another recall... 2 recalls?... I'll have to ask him when I drop my car off tomorrow. I asked him what they had to do and he just said bring it in cuz they have to look at it and see if they have the parts to fix it. Sounds good to me, that was really easy... Anyone else do this? How long does it take for them to fix?

thanks

Yes, there are 2 recalls. The 565? recall was for 1991 model years, (recalled in 1993 I believe) and the new B17 recall. If the original recall wasn't done then it won't be a problem...they will give you a new leaky TC. The B17 recall may take some time though since it is supposed to be a "new" different TC or something..???

[RickyN29]

I am wondering if this TC problem could relate at all to the output shaft (splines) being worn down. My splines are about 50% gone, I wonder if I could get Mitsu to replace the shaft also.

[Mitsu3kGTVRpho]

Originally posted by 1991RT_TT


Yes, there are 2 recalls. The 565? recall was for 1991 model years, (recalled in 1993 I believe) and the new B17 recall. If the original recall wasn't done then it won't be a problem...they will give you a new leaky TC. The B17 recall may take some time though since it is supposed to be a "new" different TC or something..???

hhhmmm should i even bother then? i could just wait for the new TC... no point of going through all that trouble when i'm just gonna have to do it again...

has anyone w/ a '91 done this? trying to figure out if it's worth it...

[1991RT_TT]

Originally posted by Mitsu3kGTVRpho



hhhmmm should i even bother then? i could just wait for the new TC... no point of going through all that trouble when i'm just gonna have to do it again...

has anyone w/ a '91 done this? trying to figure out if it's worth it...

Well if it were me, and you're covered under both recalls. I would go ahead an do it, I mean why not? At least then you can rest knowing that your TC is new, and should be okay for a while until you get the "new model" one..or whatever..

[Jerry Scolamiero]

On Friday Sept 27, 02 I physically went to Blake Mitsu in North Hampton, NH and talked to the service manager. He was totally unaware of the recall so I went on-line to the official NHTSA web site, punched up my 1993 Stealth RTTT along with a 1993 Mistu 3000gt and showed him the OFFICIAL recall notice. NHTSA cannot post ANY RECALL UNLESS THEY HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER! There it was in black and white so he assured me he would (at my strong request) check it out and notify me as soon as he got the info on parts availability and when owners would be notified.

The good news is this; after doing some extensive checking, he learned that they have a fix (he does not know what it is) the thing that is holding everything up is PARTS AVAILABILITY. The manufacturer (Mitsu and Chrysler) want to make sure they have enough parts to go around before they do this so that they do not end up with a flood of people hitting up the dealers and the dealers being unable to do the repairs. If you recall, this was the case with the tire recall. Anyway, Mitsu seemed to be indicating that they may have sufficient parts around November or December but that is not set in stone. Given this bump in the road, he could not tell me when they will begin notifying owners regarding the recall.

So take heart, the fix is in the pipeline and moving forward... SAVE ALL OF YOUR RECEIPTS RE-REPAIRS AND DAMAGE, I think you will have to submit them and they will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, so KEEP GOOD VERIFIABLE RECORDS!!!

Another word of advice for EVERYONE WHO OWNS A TWIN TURBO OR VR4 with leaking transfer cases (and even those that are not leaking... YET) I would get the exact NHTSA web site address and then physically go to a Chrysler/Dodge or Mitsu dealer in your area and do what I did; ask to speak directly with the SERVICE MANAGER. Inform him that there is an OFFICIAL NHTSA RECALL on your car and ask him if he knows about it. When the parts will be in and when you will receive your recall notification. He will say ... let me check, then he will say... there is no recall. THEN you do what I did, say: can you please go on the Internet and check out the official NHTSA web site and then can you punch in Stealth or Mitsu 3000gt. When he does he will see it in writing. THEN YOU POLITLY INFORM HIM THAT THE ONLY WAY THAT CAN APPEAR ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE IS IF THE MANUFACTURER SUBMITS IT! You next say, I own a Stealth RTTT or VR4, IT IS MY PRIMARY FORM OF TRANSPORTATION and the transfer case is defective (and leaking, if it is) it poses a DIRECT physical danger to me, my passengers and to others on the road an official recall has been declared and I would like you to contact those in charge of the recall and ask when the parts/fix will be available and when I as an owner will be notified? Give them your name, phone number and VIN. and ask the manager to get back to you ASAP. You may also wish to inform him that should an accident occur after the recall has been posted as a direct result of your transfer case failing you will take legal action because the recall has been posted but nothing has yet been done (that really gets their attention).

I believe this action by hundreds and thousands of us all over the USA and Canada would light a fire under Mitsu and Chrysler to move on this as soon as possible because owners are INFORMED AND WILL NO LONGER LET THIS ISSUE SLIDE.

Jerry Scolamiero, 1993 Firestorm Red Stealth RTTT

[B00STYLE]

Thanks Jerry!!

[Davin24]

ok now i m really pissed off.....just got off the phone with daimler-Chrysler Canada...dude said that there is no recall for my VIN #. What is up with that?? Its says on the recall database that cars affected are years 91-96 etc. Well why isn t my 93 included in that?? Am i getting shafted or what?