Why NOT to buy a 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS
djbderwood
Member Posts: 3
BUYERS BEWARE! I used to be a Honda owner but one month ago I decided to buy a 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS with Navigation and Sun and Sound Package (i.e. top of the line). I could not be more disappointed in this vehicle. After one month it already has the rattles and wind noise you would expect from a vehicle after a couple of years. Adding insult to injury, the vehicle's 2007 navigation package comes with software from mid 2005. A new update for the map database will not be available for another 15 months thereby keeping you driving through 2009 with 2005 map software! (yes, not a typo, I said 2009!) Of course, this wasn't disclosed to me by the dealership. This fact has been confirmed with the Navigation manufacturer (NAVTEQ) and Mitsubishi Corporate. Mitsubishi Corporate pretty much said "you'll have to take that up with the dealership. That is not our issue.". What a company! Spend the couple of extra bucks and go with a Toyota RAV4 or a Honda CRV - I wish I did!
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I could not be more disappointed in this vehicle.
As a rule of thumb, things could always be worse.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
Once I came back from a long drive and once back, I decided not to take it again.
Then I got some weatherstripping from a local autozone and put it next/around the door seals. It reduced the wind noise to some extend, still it is not good. And it is not good looking also.
anyway, i am going to take it to the dealer and ask him to do a better and clean weatherstripping. If it does not satisfy me, I am going to look at the option for Lemon Law. any suggestions?
My Nav has functioned perfectly from the start. Quick and accurate information for me. I haven't found any need for a software update yet.
You keep coming back with the same questions over and over.
I think you already know, but let me say it again:
1. SUV are more noisy on windy days on highway speeds than more aerodynamic cars, because of their shape, bigger mirrors and roof racks
2. No, there is no fix for it just turn your radio back on and enjoy the ride
3. Starting multiple treads on the problem still won't help
4. Trade it in, like you were planning months ago, there is no Lemon Law for tire, road, wind noise, uncomfortable seats, too small cup holders or not bright enough map light.
"If anyone, anyone has any suggestions or fixes for this problem, please let me know. Else sooner or later, I will have to cut my loses and trade-in for something else."
Just do it.
Buy a RAV4 instead which doesn't even offer a Navi. Navi is an option on the Outlander for God's sake. If you could leave without a Navi on the RAV4, why not do the same on the Outlander?
The wind/rattle noise issue is OBSOLETE. It has been fixed at the factory starting February 2007 and there is a Mitsu TSB AND a DIY available to fix it for the pre-February builds . If you people refuse to get it fixed, this is YOUR problem, not the car's or Mitsu's problem.
anyway, i am going to take it to the dealer and ask him to do a better and clean weatherstripping. If it does not satisfy me, I am going to look at the option for Lemon Law. any suggestions?
My suggestion would be to put the weather stripping where it should go: inside the plastic caps under each side mirror as described on the DIY related to this issue and illustrated with detailed pictures.
dude,
why should it bother you if I complain as often I like; I am not writing graffiti on your wall!
Regarding your observations:
SUV may be more noisy than cars; but some SUV's are much nore noiser than other SUV's; that's why some are complaining here. And we all have driven other SUV's
Turning up the radio to eliminate the noise is not the fix. That's escaping from the truth that you got a crap vehicle.
Lemon Laws are now much more favorable to the consumer. From the website of my State: "Significantly, the law now measures the defect or condition from the point of view of the individual consumer, not the manufacturer or dealer" and goes futher to say that even a paint problem is included.
If you enjoy your vehicle, keep enjoying!
Others who want to complain till they get a solution, let them! Afterall they spend their hard earned money.
As mentioned, there's a TSB on the noise. NAV software, who cares if it's from 2005? There may not have been significant updates since then, or the updated software might not be stable. Take this from an IT guy: if it ain't broke, don't update it. 2005 is an acceptably recent software version.
Wanting a 2007 version just because it's 2007 is like wanting Vista because it's the latest and greatest....and, as any Vista user on here will tell you, there's still some issues with the "latest and greatest." you really want to see a "blue screen" on your NAV system?
Which ones are that match better, (who measured it and how?) in the low 20K range and why you did not bought one of them in the first place? Why don't you do it now, as promised?
"Turning up the radio to eliminate the noise is not the fix. That's escaping from the truth that you got a crap vehicle."
It is not the fix, it's how normal people driving, enjoying the music and nice quiet interior, as per majority of owners. It does not need the fix other than mirror mount cover.
"why should it bother you if I complain as often I like"
Because it is annoying, and not really confirmed by other owners.
Not ANYBODY, just you and Mr.Disappointed. You guys should make friends. I don’t recall calling you names, guess you don’t have anything more to say.
It is open forum, so you can voice your opinion about cars, just be honest and ready to back up your claims. In that you fail too. 80% of Equinox owners on that forum reported noises, mechanical problems and was talking about Lemon Law. Same with automotive press. It is quite opposite here, on Outlander forum: it’s only you and handful of others.
See, not all your Mama said was true.
Begin by checking the manufacturing date on your car. Look on the B-pilar on the driver's side.
If your car is manufactured before February 2007 you need to fix it - DIY or TSB. If it's manufactured after February 2007, take a cap out and confirm that you have the foam wrapped around the two tabs. If you don't, do the fix. If you do have it and the car is still noisy, take it to the dealer.
If people want to complain about their vehicles and the problems they have with them, this is the place to do it. If you don't like it....DON'T READ!!!!!!!!!! I have a 3 month old outlander and I love it...no problems whatsoever.
Piast...I think you're taking it personally when people complain about their Outlanders. It's got nothing to do with you personally...let it go.
Instruction on how to fix the wind noise can be found here.
And the other 2 speakers are stacked (in the rear), so 2 on each door at the same location. So, yeah, Mitsubishi cheated a little there.
Gosok
dude, calm down. Everyone including Disappointed and clutchguy gets they're turn in this forum. Just like you said about voicing your own oppinions, why dont you let Disappointed and clutchguy say what they think about the outlander aswell, they're just trying to help other people and they're just asking for help on what to do. That is what these forums are about is asking for help and giving answers and solutions. "Just be honest and rady to back up your claims. In that you fail too", your wrong. In this topic of why not to buy an outlander, your the one that fails.
Is it nice to have the stability control ? Yes but the that's a Mercedes designed system used by almost all vehicle on the road today. And it does play into the AWD system.
But this is not an electro or electro mechanical type AWD system as used in it two main competitors and also Volvo, BMW, Audi, Acura. It can be very frustrating.
Try traveling on a packed snow covered road with tight corners and hills - as the front end starts to slip the "AWD" system applies the brakes to the offending wheel to attempt to increase tracktion - not by using a toresen system electro transfer of torque but by forcing a slower rotation.
So when that happens and one is driving an Audi or Subaru one hits the throttle and allows the system to find traction. It does so by shifting the torque between the four wheels to find the best mix. The driver simply turns the wheel and powers out of the slide - -Not Outlander - it applies the brakes and reduces throttle response until you crawl around the corner or come to a halt - no kidding! My friend in a A4 passed on the inside of me as did a following Toyota Rav.
Later we took the time at the end of a days skiing to replicate the occurrence 6 times with the same result.
When hauling down a slush covered highway it is nice to feel "hand of god" stabilize the swaying attitude and slow the vehicle down (thank you Mercedes) - but is sure would be nice if the brake lights came on to let the following traffic know what the computer is doing because the driver sure as heck can't.
This system needs a rethink in total - will I keep this truckette? It's on a lease so probably not past next fall - I couldn't be more frustrated with a vehicle that in many ways I like. :mad:
See this video:
http://outlander.jp/drivers_feeling/dri_03.html#start
I can't imagine anyone needing to go faster in the snow than the last 2 runs in that video (in a production CUV).
I also used it to pull my stuck T-Bird out of where the snowplow had plowed it in on the street, and it yanked it out no problem in 4WD lock.
I am heading off into snow country again tomorrow morning to drive 2000 miles between several ski areas next week (instuctor). I'll see and report how it works out. We can all learn more by trial and error eh?
Aren't you supposed to do just that regardless of the car you drive?
I second Toomanyfumes - two days ago the Outlander got me through about a foot of heavy snow without any effort. I didn't even have to do anything special like deactivate the ASC or switch to the "4WD Lock". The ASC didn't even kick in. Totally seamless. True, I wasn't racing or anything, just normal drive. At one point I went around a U-shape alley with some deep ruts and the car did not have any problem to get me through (I also had 4 adults in the car while doing it). Again, I was going nice and slow according to the conditions.
The 4WD system in the Outlander may not be as good as Subaru's (I truly think that Subaru's are great 4WD vehicles), but I think it was designed more for safety than for racing or off-road for that matter. However, I don't think too may owners would ever reach its limits.
Next time when you are having fun try what biscuit_xls suggested - turn off the ACS and set it 4WD Lock and see how it goes and let us know. I'm really interested in your experience as I don't get too many opportunities to try fun things myself.
BTW: The new Forester might be a good fit for you - it grew in size and I guess it will have at least as much cargo as the Outlander. It also has a bit more ground clearance than the Outlander (8.9" vs. 8.5"). No V6 though, so the power may be in short supply, at least on the naturally aspired version.
Oh well, maybe in a year or so there will be deals to be had. Kinda like the situation with the Outlander, I wish I had waited for the rebates and discounts. Of course my trade would have depreciated that much more, so I guess it kind of works out.
My point? djbderwood, the ex-Honda owner, isn't representing the majority of us who are quite happy with our Outlanders.
As an previous owner of Toyota, Infiniti, Nissan, and Honda vehicles, I've yet to own a car that didn't have a problem. The Toyota had a failed head gasket and transmission by 60k miles. The Infiniti had an issue with the brake pads wearing out prematurely and the passenger side window motor had to be replaced. The Nissan required a catalytic converter replacement at 4k miles, the a/c doesn't always work correctly, and the engine has an unusual vibration to it. The Honda had numerous prominent interior rattles, the front suspension would creak (had to TSB it twice), and the fuel gauge was inaccurate by 3 to 4 gallons.
Am I jumping around to different forums telling everyone "DON'T BY A HONDA!" "DON'T BY A TOYOTA!" "DON'T BY AN INFINITI!" No, because learned through previous experiences that no car is perfect at ANY price point so why go crying over split milk.
(10 yrs/100k drive line and 5 yrs/ 60K bumper to bumper) Toyota/Honda feel they don't have to compete. I'll take the written guarantee over a perception of quality. (like the head gasket problem that the Toyota had would be covered if occurring on an Outlander)
Were all gambling that Mitsubishi is around long enough to honor it, but
I'll take my chances that I will be covered and Mitsubishi has got the honest intent to
re-establish a presence in the US.
I have just returned from another 2300 km run in snow country and took some time abot three hours, to play on side roads both up and down hill to try and figure what works best. With out a doubt one MUST turn of the skid control OFF when on very tight twisty slippery roads at sane low speeds - leave it on at your peril. When one needs to power out of a forward slide the lateral motion of trying to get the rear end out causes the over ride and sends the car into the snow bank albeit at a slower speed. This is not an issue with the real awd in Subaru or Audi that I am used to or Volvo or the wonderful new system in the Saabs. But then they are just a tad more $$ eh? That's my update as promised
What you will find is that these other vehicles that you think are so great are very similar these days. The old days of 4WD like the Quattro Coupe are gone. Computers and traction control drastically limit what you can do in terms of sliding.
The article is from 2002 or 2003, but Subaru’s still use the same AWD systems.
Subaru with manual transmission can deliver up to 100% only to the rear axel, but not to the front axel. But majority of Subarus sold with 4-speed auto tranny which you can barely call full-time: It is front axel biased and has power split 90/10.
So if we apply the NY Times classification the comparo looks like this:
Outlander 6-speed auto: normal split 60/40; extreme split 100 to 0/40 to 60
Subaru 4-speed auto: normal split 90/10; extreme split 50/50
It appears the Outlander numbers look better in both normal and extreme conditions.
In addition to paper specs, Outlander looks great in real life offroad condition. Here are more videos of the Outlander in snow:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3arUMr2PsI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJt0j38JJBA&feature=related
The latest writeup on awd was in 2006 and the most recent comments about awd in general refer to the hottest being Mitsubishi Evo and Volvos new magic systems that apparently take it all to a new level.
You seem to be very anti-Mitsu biased and until you post a link to a legitimate source, you can only speculate what Subaru or Outlander can or can not do.
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>> That is the main dif between Subaru, Audi and Outlander. I don't know where you get that comment about the Subaru automatic?
Did not you see the chart in NY Times? I guess I have to post it here. As you can see 4-speed auto Subaru’s normal split is only 90/10:
>> Are you referring to an old model? The last 5 years at least the technology on both Audi and Subaru has changed markedly.
Oh, yea? Sure, Subaru’s technology changed so much, that even on the latest 2009 Forester they use same-old-same-old 4-speed auto tranny which will be sold at least trough the year 2014, while the rest of the world has been using 6-speed and even 7-speed tranny for a while. 2008 Forester sold today at dealerships is the same generation as 2003 Forester: the same AWD. And the new 2009 Forester is not known to have any major AWD changes in terms of a torque split. So Subaru’s 4-speed auto AWD system has only a 90/10 split and it could barely be called full-time. The same AWD 90/10 split number is given in Wikipedia about the 4-speed auto Outback. It is your grand mothers AWD.
The NY Times expert in his other article “Introduction to All Wheel Drive systems” actually calls this auto transmission based Subaru’s AWD system a “part time”:
“Subaru has for many years been quietly offering radically different AWD systems in the same car, depending on the transmission choice. The manual transmission Legacies and Imprezas use a full time system that is split 50-50 with viscous couplings for limiting slip. In the automatic transmission versions, however, the system is a part time”.
On the other hand, the Outlander in 4WD Lock mode has 60/40 split under normal conditions and 40/60 in extreme conditions. The Outlander's snow videos are the real life evidence.
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>> I would refer to Road and Track rather than NY times unless it was for Ann Landers.
NY Times is a little more independent source, while Road and Track gets all its money from car manufacturers. Road and Track is car marketing mag. But even the Road and Track (nor any other mag) did not ever say that a Subaru can transfer up to 100% of torque to either axle nor it can drive on a single wheel. Subaru’s AWD system is greatly overrated, it’s marketing myth. The AWD is decent only on manual transmission Subaru’s.
Oh, and some Subaru's with H6 engine have a decent AWD, but hardly the best.
Your *rare* example is of a person trying to hustle the vehicle through a series of very tight switchbacks in the snow with another speedy vehicle right behind you. In that situation the solution is to switch ASC off and use 4WD lock. Doing that will eliminate the ASC from slowing the vehicle down to prevent loss of control and allow you to slide the vehicle using the throttle.
Your original assessment that the Outlander has a "grandma's" AWD system was because at that time you didn't completely understand how the system works.
1. Poor ergonomics: No excuse for lack of telescopic steering wheel (get rid of anything else if in the way). I am 5 10 and its ridiculous I cant find a good seating position without stretching my hands all the way.
2. Hard seats with no bolstering. I dont know about LS since I have XLS and leather seats are irritating with no cushion and no lumber/thoracic support/contours.
3. Excessive noise: Its too damn noisy (guess they cant afford to tack on extra weight for noise reduction or they simply dont care)
4. Cheap dash and door inserts. Plastic that looks terrible and no effort on the inside of doors. Just a sea of plastic everywhere.
5. Steering wheel hard to turn (dont cut corners in areas where customers can feel the difference)
6. Suspension too stiff. Understand that this is suv but no excuse in letting us feel every irregularity in the road.
Everything else about the vehicle is just fine and dandy!
On a bright note, there are no rattles in my outlander. Thank god for that. BTW, I have 33000 km on odo and owned it for more than a year now.
Do you think they can add telescopic steering wheel, soft leather, extra insulation, soft plastics and real wood insert, back up camera, etc, on top of a long list of standard equipment, and still charge low 20K for it. Would you pay 35-40K for it?
IMO seats, steering, performance and suspension are fine, more like European sedan, than floaty Camry or Buick style. I know, it is not for everybody, there are other choices out there. For me dash design is better than RAV4, equal to CRV or Santa FE, door panels could be more attractive, and they are for 2008. In the end it is all personal.