Mitsu Dispute
A) Dispute over Canadian ECU performance issue, (March 22nd 2009 update)
cars affected: 2008 2009 2.0L Lancer (confirmed), 2009 2.4L suspected***
As mentioned early in my blog, the Canadian ECU of the new 2008 - 2009 Lancer will require an ECUReflash upgrade if you intend on upgrading your cars performance. Even thou on paper mitsubishi states that your ECU is the same. Unfortunately its not, and here is why. The performance of the ECU seems to be limited in someway. After countless runs on the dyno machine we were unable to get our ECU to recognized power gains from simple upgrades such as the INJEN cold air intake, similar results were found for the AEM cold air as well. To make sure this wasnt just one bad lancer we put on another, and another, and low and behold the 2.0L engines tested all came back with the same strange results. The same DYNO Curve line, each pass on the dyno stayed almost exactly the same.
Lets put it this way, the biggest Dyno change we could get on our lancer was when we removed the stock filter in the stock air box. This caused a 5hp drop in performance due to air turbulence / tumble. Where air flow is interupted and not being injested in a even flow manner. In a nutshell your filter is what causes the air flow to not tumble around in the box as it makes its way into the engine. This is the case at least for our car’s intake design but this doesnt always happen in other designs.
Mitsubishi is official response??? Well that was tricky. Lets review.
1) Mitsubishi Canada refuses to comment says speak to Mitsubishi USA
2) Mitsubishi USA says the ECU should be the same, if there is a difference it maybe due to Canadian emissions standards. Other then that In any case we cant answer that question on behalf of Mitsu Canada.
3) A Call to Canadian Environmental officials state: “ there were no emissions modifications needed to the Canadian Lancer based on information from submitted by Mitsubishi in 2006-7 when they applied for the rights to sell this car in Canada”
4) Mitsubishi Canada says we don’t have any answers
At this point I didn’t care to find out what the difference is. I just wanted to know what can be done about this. Can I have my ECU reflashed to the USA spec by a USA Mitsubishi Dealer and still keep my warranty valid. Because from everything I am hearing, the ECU is the same there are not technical differences, spec for spec hardware wise the cars are identical minus the speed gauges in the dash board. And here was Mitsu’s response
5) Mitsubishi USA says no comment
6) Mitsubishi Canada says it doesn’t void your warranty, well not exactly… But if you encounter engine problems then that will be the chief argument for voiding your warranty. I was then told the song and dance about “Sir if your read your warranty in your manual you will see that, if you modify your emissions control equipment then it is voiding your warranty.” My response was there is no moddification if my car is receiving service from a USA certified Mitsubishi Dealership. In my mind I wanted to say, which is it. You cant have it both ways. We are not talking about some ECU reflash from a third party (which in some ways I would perfer to do). I am trying to table an idea for them which makes them come out looking good, and still keeps the Canadian customer happy. lol mind you, we wouldnt have had to go thru all this if Mitsubishi had cooked the ECU programming to behave like this.
7) Mitsubishi USA says “no comment”
Mitsubishi Dealers in the USA ” Ya we will take your money 
sure bring it by”
9) Mitsubishi Dealers in Canada ” There is a difference between ECU’s? Really? thats news to us”
Which brings leaves us in a very tricky position. On paper the cars are the same. The distance between here and Buffalo is not far at all, so it can be because of weather issues. hell its as cold in buffalo than it is here an I am sure they get more snow because of the the lake. So what does that mean for us. am I entitled under Mitsubishi’s Warranty Act and Manual to receive this upgrade. After talking to a Canadian and USA lawyer just to skim over the problem and serve me up a clear cut answer.
From his Legal point of view, The answer is Yes, you can have your ECU serviced by a North American Dealership, because Mitsubishi is more or less charged with providing your vechicle service. Now he did say that you may hear lingo either in your manual or on the website such as here http://www.mitsubishicars.com/MMNA/jsp/owners/generalfaq19.do
which states the following
Please contact our Customer Relations Call Center at 888-648-7820 for further assistance.
Please note that importing your vehicle to Canada (or any other country) voids the
warranty on your vehicle, as stated in your Warranty and Maintenance Manual. Canada
requires that owners of vehicles less than 15 years old provide proof that the vehicle is
free from any recalls before the vehicle may be imported to Canada. The required recall
clearance letter can be provided by the Customer Relations Call Center for a nominal fee.”
The legal lingo around it somewhat doesnt apply because you are not importing or exporting your vechicle into the other country. Technically if this policy were true and your car was getting parts sourced the the USA, you could stand up and say nooooo !, that would void my warranty. Which wouldnt make sense.
The reason why they said, no maybe yes? is because they dont know because no one has address this in court. And the Canadian system does differ from the USA court model.
He further goes on to say policy statements like this are design to keep service simple, keep warranty claims simple. You dont want cross boarder disputes and it just makes the balance sheet complicated. Good for mitsu, Good for you? yes but in the case of this ECU issue, the answer is no. Because it makes the customer feel powerless and unable to do anything to rectify the issue. He recommends, lobby Mitsubishi Canada for a solution so that Customers arent forced to take matters in their own hands. They could still maintain control. He says that this will prevent or head off people getting into their cars and doing third party ECU upgrades.
The question is, What do I do now?
Well, Mitsubishi has a customer satisfaction feedback system with their customer service line. Feel free to call them and inquire into this issue. Feel free to mention my blog as a point of reference. Its up to you if you wish to disclose your VIN number to Mitsubishi Canada, they can not void your warranty just for bringing this issue up. But it is your right as a customer to ask question. Perhaps you may get further then me. What do you think? Join this dialog on evolutionm.net http://forums.evolutionm.net/canadian-forum/406062-canadian-ecu-lancer-2008-self-recall-efforts.html
Now the purpose of this post is not to rage against Mitsubishi. Dont get me wrong its a great car, I bought it, and i continue to to advocate for further innocations in the community and corporate sides. One thing that has hampered my own research is this paticular ECU problem. And without a direct answer from Mitsubishi it makes things frustrating. I only post this to raise awareness to the higher levels within Mitsu Canada and North America.
I am attempting to work side channal from the Japan side of things to get answer and see if a comprimise can be met. Any new developments will be updated here.
Cheers and thanks for your support.
