The fourth generation of Mitsubishi Outlander landed on the Canadian market like a dose of fresh air in 2021 as a 2022 model. Better assembled and more spacious, the Outlander is the brand’s best-selling vehicle in the country. Since its launch, the SUV has nevertheless experienced a series of recalls, and after verification, the Mitsubishi Outlander 2022 and 2023 are indeed affected by a new manufacturing problem. Although no recall in this case has been officially issued by the automaker, many owners of the compact SUV have reported a shrill noise when cornering. Indeed, owners in Canada and the United States are also reporting the same problem.
The braking systems in question
According to information gathered from certain Mitsubishi dealerships in Quebec, it is more specifically the 2022 and 2023 model years that are affected by the situation, as well as the PHEV version of the Outlander.
Silence is attributed to a component in the vehicle’s braking system, specifically in the caliper. Indeed, a support plate, located at the bottom of the caliper and attached directly to the brake pads, would be the cause of the problem. The support is, according to the concessions, too thin. After applying the brakes, this sheet, exposed to high heat, could deform and rub on the brake discs. It is in a cornering situation that the noise is heard, because the offending part exerts greater pressure on the moving disc, which then creates the unpleasant noise.
However, the situation does not represent a danger. According to the dealerships consulted, apart from noise, no case of accident has been recorded. To correct the situation, the concessions carry out a simple repair. They straighten the support, grease the calipers and reinstall everything on the disc. Of course, this repair is temporary, because the situation could happen again.
A known issue with Mitsubishi
Still according to the brand specialists consulted who preferred to remain anonymous, the manufacturer is well aware of the situation. He would also be looking for a solution to replace the part with a better quality reinforcement. As of this writing, the replacement mount is still not available, which explains the temporary repair done by dealers.
Moreover, the situation does not seem to be localized only in Quebec. Going through various focus groups in both Canada and the United States, other owners are reporting the same phenomenon, which suggests that the situation could affect many Mitsubishi Outlanders in North America.
Fortunately, the problem is not considered dangerous. The Mitsubishi dealerships consulted were all very cooperative and promised to carry out the temporary repair quickly and free of charge. We will have to wait for the arrival of the new support in order to really correct the situation. We will therefore remain on the lookout for further developments concerning the file.
Conclusion
Mitsubishi Outlander assembly issues are starting to pile up since the launch of the new generation of the vehicle in 2022. Hood flapping, infotainment screen, fuel pump and technical issues have been listed in the last few years. So far, 8 recalls have been issued by the manufacturer.
Although the caliper support problem is benign, it still adds to the various problems raised. Mitsubishi seems to want to correct things quickly, but if the situation does not change, this generation could age badly.