Steering Column Problems of Mitsubishi Lancer

The contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer evolution. While driving approximately 30 mph, the steering column detached without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer stated that the warranty expired and did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

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Was driving down the interstate and the steering wheel fell off. After several attempts was able to put it back on but had to press hard to keep it in place my mechanic was able to reattach it but had to disable the air bag and now cost $700 for a new steering column air bag and horn. I see other complaints and would like to know what my options are regarding this is this something being reviewed or a recall. I could have been killed.

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2003 Lancer oz rally, steering column fell down in my lap. Factory said to bad, out of warranty and no recall issued. My local dealer wants 700+ dollars to fix it, this is outrageous the car only has 64000 miles.

The contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer. The steering column fell in the contact's lap when she placed the key in the ignition. Prior to the failure, she noticed that the column felt loose. She was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. Two weeks later, before she arrived at the dealer, the steering column fell completely off. The dealer stated that the failure was caused by normal wear and tear and it seemed as if someone was pulling on the steering wheel. The vehicle has since been repaired. Through online research, she found numerous complaints regarding the steering column and she feels that it is a manufacturer defect. The current mileage was 104,624 and the failure mileage was unknown. Updated 12/12/2007 updated 12/12/07.

My steering column was slightly loose, but a mechanic assured me there no problem. About 2 weeks later, the entire steering column fell into my lap as I attempted to insert the key into the ignition. I was able to push the column back into place and get the car across the street to a Mitsubishi dealership who said the car was out of warranty and had too many miles. I do not believe that this is a warranty issue and told the person at the dealership my belief. I also advised him that I had had cars that were totaled out in accidents and the steering mechanism never fell out. In addition, I had one car that I put close to 200,000 miles on it, but there was no problem with the steering wheel and column falling out. I contacted Mitsubishi and got the same response regarding wear and tear and the out or warranty situation.

I own a 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer. I purchased from carmax in 2005 and was assured that it was free of problems. Additional research showed that the car had been well cared for and had never been in an accident. While sitting in traffic on the interstate in late February 2006 the steering column inexplicably collapsed into my lap. The car was nearly impossible to control, and I was fortunate that I was in gridlock, otherwise I would have been in an accident. So, since my warranty with carmax had lapsed, I took the car to my mechanic (who is extremely competent and reputable). He looked at the it and had no explanation for what caused the failure. The steel brackets holding the column in place had been ripped through, and the only thing capable of doing this was a head on collision. I had him repair the column, as I needed my car. He fixed all the necessary problems and did not find anything else that needed repairing. Then in April 2006, I was sitting at a stop light and again the column collapsed. It was in a worse state than during the previous failure. I took it to my mechanic to be re-examined. He was able to find nothing related to his previous repair that could have caused this second failure. The steel rivets and bolts supporting the column (which had not been touched during the previous repair and were therefore undisturbed), had completely ripped away. I had the car towed to a Mitsubishi dealer and their service team could come up with no explanation for what could have caused this failure other than a potentially defective column. I was assured that this was not due to normal wear and tear. I contacted Mitsubishi regarding what could be done, but they claimed to be unable to help me as the car was beyond the manufacturer's warranty, due to the number of miles on it I am only fortunate in that these failures did not occur while I was in motion, or the sudden loss of control would have certainly caused an accident in which I could have been severely injured.

While driving 15 mph steering wheel collapsed. Consumer had difficulty maintaining control of the vehicle. However, was able to pull over. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that steering column needed to be replaced.

I own a 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer. My steering wheel column collapsed in my lap while driving. Took it to the dealership and they said that it was unusual that happened. Said it was the latch in my column, had to buy a whole new steering column 500+ part, not including labor.

Intermittently the steering column collapsed into driver's lap while driving the vehicle. Dealer stated this was unusual, we never heard a case like this problem.

While driving steering wheel became loose, and vehicle wobbled from four to six inches to either side. This happened three times since owning vehicle. Dealer and the manufacturer have been informed.