Hey all,

I need any advice/suggestions on what I can do with my Mitsubishi ASX 2017. It's super hard to describe the issue and I know NOTHING about cars so here goes!
Basically, the steering feels heavy at certain times (not extreme) and more often than not it's harder to pull the wheel to the right. More obvious when it's raining. I feel like I need to correct it heaps when I'm driving straight, if I pull up at the lights and I'm idle with my wheels slightly to the left, it's even harder (then when car is already moving) to pull the wheel to the right to take off straight. It's slowly getting worse but again, it's subtle. I'm concerned because it's a bit scary in the rain like it almost feels more unpredictable (if that makes sense?!), it's getting worse, and no one know's what the issue is. Without knowing what's wrong I'm just worried one day whatever the issue is will just become extreme while I'm driving and I won't be able to safely steer my car.

What's happened so far:

• I've had the car since new, had regular services and it was always a car I would comment about how it's really easy to drive etc.
• I was in an accident about 10 months ago where I ran up the back of another car. It was fairly low impact, no issues to their car but mine had some superficial damage to the front lower panels.
• A month or two later I went to get a tyre replaced and the mechanic where I was living at the time really suggested going through my insurance to get it fixed in case the chassis was damaged.
• Went through my insurance the guy just said superficial damage etc. so that got replaced.
• Within this time (it all happened quick as I was in between moving houses and it took a week before I could book my car in for assessment, the re-book for replacement parts), I noticed the steering felt slightly off. I got a wheel alignment... still felt off.
• Went to a new mechanic where I moved to for a service. I asked them to check out the issue. They basically did diagnostics and said nah no issue.
• Got my partner to drive it who hadn't driven it for a bit who noticed it and felt it had definitely gotten a bit worse.
• Back to the same mechanics a week later so they could drive it around. This time they did notice it. They said they're not 100% what's up but seems like maybe the power steering was intermittently cutting out. Suggested taking it to Mitsubishi as that's electrical and they don't have whatever it is to test it/fix it.
• Waited until my next service, again, it's worse. It's subtle in normal driving conditions but to me, noticeable and annoying. Not comfortable in the rain. Mitsubishi serviced it and I mentioned the issue... they actually said they couldn't notice the issue with the driving. The original guy I went for a drive with said he noticed some small shuddering in the wheel and at your feet when you're braking but apparently he didn't notice it after the service (I didn't get to speak with him again). The guy who I spoke with said the tyre pressure was low and sort of indicated this could be it. That can't be the issue - the tyre pressure was all good when the last mechanic noticed the issue and it's STILL got the heavy steering when I pull to the right (plus I'd been keeping up with that except for the last few months).

I'm honestly so lost. I don't know if it's because of my "strength" that the Mitsubishi mechanics didn't notice the issue but I'm 100% sure there is something wrong. My partner has driven it prior to any issues and can notice quite a difference too.

Has anyone had this before? Should I call my insurer again? Mitsubishi? Any suggestions for a mechanic in North Brisbane?
I'm spending money I don't really have right now and I used to love this car so much.
If it's helpful I also have all the paperwork from both mechanics I can upload.

Thank you for reading!!!

 

The Mitsubishi ASX 2017 owner’s manual is a goldmine of information. It includes a list of warning lights and what they mean, as well as troubleshooting tips for basic issues. If you’ve lost your manual, you can often find a PDF version online through Mitsubishi's official website.