90,000 cars, or rather 91,700 vehicles to be exact, are being recalled in 27 states in America due to a very serious issue that could potentially lead to injury. Many of these vehicle owners should take action immediately, as the recall has come into effect due to an increase in reports regarding the issue at hand. Two particular models of a certain Japanese vehicle brand are affected by this vehicle recall.
Failing liftgate gas spring cylinders are provoking the issue
It is Mitsubishi vehicles that are being recalled in the 27 states, and two particular Mitsubishi models are being recalled due to issues:
- The 2014–2020 Mitsubishi Outlander (internal combustion version)
- The 2018–2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle)
As per the recall, 85,600 internal combustion Outlanders and about 6,077 Outlander PHEVs are said to be affected. The vehicles affected, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), are those that have experienced corrosion inside the gas spring cylinders that are meant to hold up the rear liftgate. Such cylinders contain high-pressure gas and are thus responsible for supporting the liftgate when open.
The problem lies in the fact that salt water tends to penetrate the dust caps and, in turn, corrode the interior of the cylinder. In more extreme cases, this could lead to the metal walls weakening and, in turn, rapid pressure drops that could lead to a sudden rupture. The main problem is that the liftgate can fall unexpectedly and may thus cause head injury or other forms of bodily harm.
Which states are affected by the massive recall?
This particular Mitsubishi recall mainly affects Salt Belt states, in which corrosion can be accelerated due to road salt usage during winter. The 27 states that are said to be part of this large recall are:
- Alaska
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, and Ohio. Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin are also Salt Belt states affected by this particular recall. All of the states involved are considered high-risk zones where tailgate cylinder corrosion could occur as a result of regular exposure to salt-treated roads.
Investigations began after the issue was brought to the fore back in 2023, after reports surfaced from Transport Canada and U.S. consumers. The defect was thereafter confirmed by Mitsubishi and filed as per recall notice No. 25V507 with the NHTSA.
Actions for Mitsubishi owners to take due to the recall
Affected Mitsubishi drivers will gain notifications by October 6, 2025, and can use the respective Vehicle Identification Numbers on the official Mitsubishi website to check if they are affected. The owners will have to visit an authorized dealership so that the affected parts can be replaced with improved coating, so as to ensure protection from saltwater corrosion. In cases where replacements had already been done, the recall reimbursement will become available to those affected drivers.
As per a major flaw dealing with the infotainment system, about 200,000 Mitsubishi Japanese cars were recalled previously.
Implications of Mitsubishi’s big recall
Mitsubishi is not the only automaker that has initiated large-scale recalls. Mazda also recalled over 12,000 cars due to a software issue. Despite this recall, the Outlander is still Mitsubishi’s main selling vehicle in the U.S. The recall may make it difficult for the brand to continue competing in the well-established SUV market.
Since such a large number of vehicles have been recalled in 27 states due to failure of the liftgate gas spring cylinder, Mitsubishi owners are advised to check their vehicle’s status and to make sure that their vehicle is sent in for repairs in October.
For more information about this recall, you can check the 25V-507 recall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
