Well, just got our new '07 Outlander XLS 3 days ago, and while overall we're pretty happy with the vehicle, it's now delevloped a noise in the front suspension. The noise is a heavy steel "clunk", which seems to alternate between the left and right front wheels depending on direction of travel. The noise happens when making slow turns with the wheel all the way to one side, or the other, and when backing out of a parking spot and only when you first start driving. Once you've been going, it doesn't seem to re-occur until you park it again

Anyone else run across this? Anyone have any suggestions, or know what the fix is? It's definitely something in the front suspension (ball joint, strut, tie rod, steering rack, etc).

This of course really aggrivates us not only because it's a new vehicle, but because we traded in our '04 Saturn Vue v6 AWD for this vehicle because of similar problems.

take it in to the dealer. Its obviously under warranty.


a few have developed some type of fitment issue with the wheel bearings and knuckles... Mitsu is working on it.
its not harmful, but irritating.

The sound comes from the top mounts of the suspention... looking from the top (under the hood) u can see the 3 bolts holding the susp... Its the head's of these bolt's that makes the sound u talk aboute... When u do u'r first service just tell them aboute u'r problem and they will fix it.. If u can live with that noise for some time.... My 2005 had the same problem. But only from the right side...But they fixed both sides at my first service.. The dealers has a note from mitsu aboute this problem on their computer and how to fix it.. U can ask for a printed copy to see what's making the noise...

no, its not from the top of the struts.
as I said, its a fitment issue with the front wheel bearings and knuckles.

Thanks, do you happen to know if there's a TSB out on it? We're 1500 miles from home and I'm trying to guage whether or not to take it to the nearest Mitsu dealer, which is almost 100 miles away, or wait until I get home.

I bought an 07 ES about a month ago and just started noticing this problem as well. Seems to happen whenever I put it in 'D' and turn extremely left or right. This is usually the case when I'm pulling out of a parking space. I haven't had the time to go to the dealer yet. Please keep us posted on the official word and how long it takes to fix, thanks!

Sounds strange that the front wheel bearings and knuckles makes noice on a new car. Those things are made for mowing and use to sqeek when worn out.
Anyhow, it seemes stupid to continue to make new cars with old problems
built in.!?. But nothing can really surprise these days...

Anyhow...A new car should not sound like the last popcorn.. And any Mitsudealer/workshop can fix that problem... I would not spend a whole day trying to repair something that can wait.. All 6 upper mount's and first service was some 4-5 hours... And that workshop is a 10 minutes walk from home...haha! Perhaps a phonecall to a workshop could help u...

mitsu is currently working on it. you are not the only one suffering this noise.
contact your local dealer and have a bit of patience, as so far we've only repaired one. and the fix was to replace the front wheel bearings and knuckles.
I think mitsu is trying several different repairs to find which one is the best, but dont quote me on that.

is your vehicle AWD??? cause that a common noise/problem with AWD when you turn the wheel to their extremes. i had a ford explorer that had a 4WD switch if you wanted to lock it in 4WD mode and it made the noise. but when i switched it to 4WD auto (meaning the 4Wd only kicked in when my rear wheels slipped otherwise it was just rear wheel drive) there was no noise. i never thought it was a problem but my co-workers who had new trucks also told me that they experienced the same noise when turning the wheels to their extremes. i never took any of my trucks to fix cause i just thought it was a design flaw. i hope this helps.

When my 4wd outlander starts to sound like a Ford i guess its time to buy another brand of car...

nice stig, all the same, if i bought an 07 mitsu and it made those kinda noises i'd be tellin them to ram it up their proverbial #@!*$ and goin buy a nissan, just to f@#k'em off!! honestly though, outlanders are an over priced heap of crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :cigareta:

well, that was about the most useless thing Ive seen posted on the net in a long time.

WOW I thougt it was just me.
I have a low end model outlander... I get the same noise. weird.. not the 4 wheel drive version either...

Well, so far, it's been to the dealership and apparently it IS a known issue and the current fix is to replace the steering knuckles on both sides. The dealerships are apparently NOT allowed to stock the parts and actually have to call in the VIN of the vehicle in order to have Mitsu ship the part.

Anyway, mine are on order and we'll see what happens. I'll keep you guys posted.

On a separate, but related issue, I did my first oil change this weekend and while I had it up on stands, noticed the seal where the passenger side transaxle enters the transmission is leaking, so now I have to have that fixed too.

Boy I hope this isn't a sign of things to come.

(07 Outlander XLS AWD)

as i said, mitsu is working on it.

and you've probably just seen a bit of the assembly oils on the car. the chances of a leak are slim.
perhaps you could explain more what you mean... "where the passenger side trans enters the trans" is kinda goofy.

I bought an 07 ES about two month ago and noticed the same problem. The dealership tried to find what was wrong and said the front sway bar was the problem. They said the noise disappear after they got rid of the front sway bar so they ordered a new sway bar for me and I've been waiting for more than a month for the part to come in... I wondered how the heck the sway bar could make that kind of sound.....and As I read through the posts, I found that the sway bar was NOT the problem! so... I printed the thread and brought to Mitsubishi dealer. They were not aware of this problem widespread among owners and told me that they would contact Mitsubishi and let me know how things are.

I am.... already tired of irresponsible manufacturer........................
No more Mitsubishi car for me in the future!!!