1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse suspension problems

Filed Mar 6, 2008 · Suspension · 261,362 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

10/26/01 l front lwr control arm broke, the car bounced down the road when susp came apart. Gville mitz replaced the parts at the cost of the manf. The vehicle had 104000 mi at that time. Items listed on repair invoice: arm assy (fr susp), shaft assy (fr axl), shield kit splash, air dam side fr lh, end assy, tie rod, fender fr lh 12/8/07 susp broke again. While driving I thought the drv side front tire had popped. I let off the gas/ tried to pull the vehicle over. I was in the l lane near an interstate entrance. When I was near the barrier the vehicle jumped left. It made contact with the concrete wall, I pulled the wheel back towards the right. When I did this the broken left front susp/tire went beneath the car. The auto was catapulted onto the concrete barrier on it's nose. The car was completely airborne at this time (for appx 150-200 ft) part of the car hit the concrete pillar of the underpass and flung my car back to the ground. Both airbags deployed when the vehicle came down. Even with my restraint on my body slid under the steering wheel when the car catapulted on the concrete ledge. When the driverside airbag deployed the got the left side of my head where my abdomen should have been. The damages: bumper assembly, front, cover, front bumper, headlamp assy, halog headlamps aim/lamp, side marker, fender front, skirt, inner fendert wheel, front l, knuckle, steering l/f, arm, lower control l/f windshield, airbag, steering wheel, airbag, instrument pnl panel, rocker lt, pnl, front door out, repair I received a concussion from the airbag/back problems etc this car is up for auction on the 18th, it is my hopes that it is not placed back on the roadways. Who knows what other types of damage the vehicle sustained, the crash was never correctly evaluated. The local police listed I hit a metal guard rail. The vehicle damages does not indicate contact with a metal guard rail(it does not have marks on it). Appx 50 pics avail.

Filed Mar 23, 2006 · Suspension · 77,000 miles · PA

Dt*: the contact stated while applying brake pressure at various speeds, there was a popping noise. The vehicle was seen by a dealer and it was determined the lower control arm ball joints needed replaced. A the federal safety agency recall, #00v421001 was performed on the vehicle concerning, the suspension however, the recall did not remedy the problem. The dealership would not offer a second repair without charge under the recall.

Filed Aug 30, 2005 · Suspension · MI

Re: dealership complaint: refusal to honor existing the federal safety agency campaign id numbers: 00v421001, 99v066001 mitsubishi eclipse, suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint I recently took my 1996 eclipse to my local dealership (arnold mitsubishi, roseville, mi) to make an appointment for this recall as there is serious 'clunking' in my front ball joints. I was told my VIN number was not included in the recalls. Your database seems to indicate that this was an 'across the board' recall. I've been warned that this is a lousy dealership. Are they correct, or am I? And what should I do?

Filed Aug 1, 2005 · Suspension · 120,000 miles · OH

Dt: front passenger side ball joint failure. Contact said the wheel and ball joint fell off. Caller received recall 04v421001 concerning ball joints when caller took vehicle to dealer about 2 years ago the dealer said it was okay. Then on t july 0, 2005 she heard a pop and the vehicle dropped. Caller was going about 40 MPH. Caller had to have it towed to the dealer. She has not spoken to them yet. Manufacturer has not been contacted.

Filed Jul 16, 2004 · Suspension · 105,000 miles · CO

While at a stop front passenger side ball joint failed. Vehicle was towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

Filed Apr 19, 2004 · Suspension · PA

Consumer took vehcile to the dealership to be inspected, and mechanic determined that lower control arms were wearing out prematurely.

Filed Apr 6, 2004 · Suspension · 120,000 miles · IL

While driving the vehicle the the ball joint slipped out. This caused the drivers side tire to fall off and the vehicle fell to the ground on the drivers side.

Filed Mar 3, 2004 · Suspension · 140,000 miles · CA

Consumer received a recall notice for ball joints in september 2000. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer, who inspected the vehicle, but did not repair the ball joints. Dealer indicated ball joints did not need replacement or repair. However, in december 2001 the ball joints collapsed. In january 2002 dealer repaired the ball joints, but did not replace the entire ball joint assembly. Currently, front end squeaks.

Filed Jan 13, 2004 · Suspension · 104,020 miles · NV · crash

While traveling down our street, my lower ball joint on my 1996 mitsubishi eclipse gs failed. I was traveling approximately 30-35 MPH at the time of the failure. My vehicle pulled hard to the right before the failure. I did not realize what was happening at the time, so I corrected the pull by turning the wheel back to the left. Within seconds of correcting, the ball joint failed. My passenger side front tire was forced into the wheel well and very nearly torn off. The vehicle had to be towed to a local dealer to be repaired. My vehicle has been to the same dealer twice prior regarding the lbj recall. It upsets me to know that the dealer refused to replace them when the vehicle was inspected for the second time. However, I feel that the dealership in question was negligent in its inspection and did not perform the required inspection fully. I have, however, received some assistance from mitsubishi. Currently, the vehicle is back at the delaership due to other problems that surfaced after the car was returned. These problems did not occur before the lbj failure. I am still fighting with the dealership to have the problems resolved. The dealer has decided to switch the burden of proof regarding these new conditions to me, the consumer. This is highly unethical.

Filed Mar 12, 2003 · Suspension · TX · crash

I was driving about 70 on the interstate, I pulled off onto the access road. My car felt very unstable. I was coming down a hill into a very busy intersection, and I was easing through the intersection and my car fell upon its tire. The wheel well collapsed onto the tire, and I could not move. The towing people said they had seen many eclipses with this problem. I am now terrified to drive my eclipse (even after it has been repaired). I had taken my car to several dealerships and many repair shops, and I was told that there was no problem. The right front suspension separated.