This is a Technical Service Bulletin that was sent to dealers. The bulletin updates the Steering section of the affected Service Manuals to update the lubricant, sealant, special tools, and procedures used in replacement of the Tie Rod End Ball Joint Dust Cover, which are now serviceable parts, for vehicles with hydraulic power steering.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Mitsubishi Outlander steering problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 11 steering complaints filed for the 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 9 model years of Mitsubishi Outlander we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 11.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗MITSUBISHI: ON SOME VEHICLES, AN ACTIVE STABILITY CONTROL (ASC) STEERING WHEEL SENSOR HAS BEEN INSTALLED, REPLACING ORIGINAL SENSOR. NEW SENSOR NOT TO BE ROTATED BEFORE INSTALLATION. MODELS 2007-12 OUTLANDER, 2008-11 LANCER EVOLUTION, 2010-12 LANCER/LANCER SPORTBACK & GALANT, 2008-12 ECLIPSE/ECLIPSE SPYDER, 2004-11 ENDEAVOR.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report catastrophic corrosion of the front subframe and crossmember, particularly in salt-heavy climates. In three documented cases, the corroded subframe snapped or separated during normal driving—including one at 5 mph while turning and another on a highway at 70 mph. When failure occurs, the front tire is pushed backward into the fender or quarter panel, the steering becomes immobilized, and the vehicle comes to an abrupt stop. One owner narrowly avoided a collision with oncoming traffic.
Mitsubishi issued recall 16V-458 in August 2016 for possible subframe corrosion, but the remedy was anti-rust spray application, not replacement. Multiple owners report taking vehicles to dealers for this recall, being told the subframe "did not require replacement," and then experiencing failures weeks to months later. Independent shops inspected vehicles post-recall in October 2016 and February 2017 and found severe, ongoing corrosion of the crossmember, control arms, and related steering components.
Control arms and strut springs also corrode and fail, sometimes while parked. Steering column clicking (possibly clock spring related) occurs in warm weather. One owner reported power steering leaks.
The recall's geographic limitation excludes Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, and other states where road salt use is extensive, leaving owners in those areas unprotected despite comparable winter conditions. Parts sourcing for repairs is difficult; one owner found only two replacement subframes available in the country.
Failure modes owners describe
Crossmember/subframe corrosion leading to structural failure
Salt-belt corrosion of the front subframe and crossmember causes material loss and structural separation. In severe cases, the crossmember separates completely from the vehicle, disabling steering and suspension control and causing abrupt loss of vehicle control on the road.
When: 7 to 12+ years of ownership; one failure at 10 mph turn entry, another on highway at 70 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Loud grinding or clunking noise from front suspension; Abrupt vehicle stop with loss of steering control; Hard pulling to one side (usually left); Visible corrosion holes in crossmember/subframe; Front tire pushed into fender or quarter panel; Vehicle unsafe to drive
Repairs/costs cited: Complete subframe/crossmember replacement required; owners report difficulty sourcing parts and estimates around $1400. Anti-corrosion spray applied under recall 16V-458 (SR-16-003) did not prevent failure in multiple cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 16V-458 (SR-16-003) issued August 2016 for possible subframe corrosion. Recall remedy involved anti-rust agent application to crossmember, not replacement. Some vehicles inspected under recall were deemed not requiring replacement despite later failures. Recall limited to salt-belt states; Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, and other high-salt-use areas excluded despite road salt exposure comparable to included states.
Suspension component corrosion and failure
Front suspension components, including control arms, struts, and related steering parts, corrode and fail. Control arms snap under normal driving loads after corrosion weakens the metal. Strut springs and axle boots also fail.
When: 7 to 12 years of ownership; failures occur during normal turning maneuvers and highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Loud banging or clunking when turning; Loss of front suspension support; Vibration and jerking in steering wheel side to side; Suspension sounds rubbing hard, jerking car side to side; Vehicle sits in driveway and suspension components snap without driving
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of control arms, strut springs, and axle components needed. Parts availability limited.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer initially denied recall applicability to some vehicles. Multiple independent shops confirmed severe undercarriage and suspension corrosion after dealer anti-rust treatment in October 2016 and February 2017.
Steering noise and potential clock spring failure
Clicking noises originate in the steering column area during warm weather operation. Dealer attributed the symptom to a clock spring problem.
When: Occurs only during warm or hot weather, not winter; timing relative to vehicle age unclear from narrative
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking noises in steering column area when steering wheel is turned; Occurs only in warm/hot weather, not during winter
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer indicated clock spring problem but no repair documentation provided in narrative.
Power steering fluid leak
Power steering system leaks fluid during normal operation. Owner suspects this may be recall-related.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering leaks every time system is filled; Fluid loss between fill-ups
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated no recalls apply to the vehicle; owner believes fluid leak may be recall-related but manufacturer response not documented.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I have been having problems with the wheel turning towards the left. Once I went to Firestone and got tires I was told the my suspension is very loose. It is getting more hard to control the steering.
Left front of vehicle is vibrating/ jerking steering wheel side to side with what sounds like something rubbing hard enough to jerk car side to side. Making a banging noise when turning as though front suspension is broken. I see there is a recall for this issue. I purchased the outlander from a dealership used and was told fixing the recalls wasn't their problem after signing paperwork. Unknown…
The steering column area of my 2007 Mitsubishi outlander ls makes clicking noises when driven during warm temperatures (only during warm or hot weather, not during the winter). Noises occur when the steering wheel is turned and the dealer indicated that this sounds like a clock spring problem. *tr
Had steering trouble with your 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 81,000 and 124,500 miles, with the median around 120,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 81,000; a quarter make it past 124,500. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Mitsubishi/Outlander.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.