Black smoke & stalling: Outlander needs urgent help!

Had similar issues with my 2012 Mitsubishi ASX (2.0L gas engine). The symptoms were exactly like yours, black smoke, rough idle, stalling, and the check engine light. Turned out it was indeed the mass airflow sensor. Took it to my local Mitsubishi dealer last month. They diagnosed it by checking the sensor readings and cleaning it first, but that didn't solve the problem. The MAF sensor was completely shot and needed replacement. Job wasn't too complex, took them about an hour to replace it. Since the fix, car runs like new, no more stalling, smooth idle, and clean exhaust. It was a serious issue that needed immediate attention because a faulty MAF sensor can damage your engine if left unchecked. Poor fuel economy and possible catalytic converter damage are real risks. Try finding a certified Mitsubishi dealer or a mechanic specializing in Asian cars. They'll have the right diagnostic tools for these specific models.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful. I'm relieved to hear I'm not the only one who's dealt with this. Good to know it was actually the MAF sensor, I was hoping I wasn't way off base with my guess. Do you remember roughly how much the dealer charged you for the whole thing? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other quirks pop up?

Hey again! Yeah, I can tell you exactly what it cost, I had to pay 415 Euro for the whole thing at the Mitsubishi dealer. That covered the new MAF sensor and labor. I can honestly say the car's been running perfectly since getting it fixed last month. All those annoying issues, the black smoke, stalling, rough idling, completely gone! It's like having a different car now. No new problems have shown up either, which is a relief. Just to be clear, getting it fixed was definitely worth every penny. I know some try to save money by putting off repairs like this, but a faulty MAF sensor can really mess up your engine if you ignore it. My ASX now runs as smooth as it did when it was new. If you're still looking for a good mechanic, I'd really recommend going to a Mitsubishi dealer. They knew exactly what they were doing with mine, and while it wasn't cheap, they fixed it right the first time.

Just got back from the mechanic and wanted to update everyone! I took your advice and went to the local Mitsubishi dealer. You were spot on, it was the MAF sensor causing all the trouble. Cost me around 430 Euro, pretty close to what you paid. The whole experience wasn't nearly as painful as I expected. Dropped it off in the morning, and they had it ready by afternoon. The mechanic even showed me the old sensor and explained what went wrong. Pretty decent service, actually. Took it for a test drive right after, and wow, what a difference! No more black smoke, engine runs smooth as butter, and that annoying rough idle is completely gone. Feels like I'm driving a new car. Thanks again for pushing me to get it checked out at the dealer. You saved me from probably making things worse by putting it off. Really appreciate everyone's help on this one! Case closed!