Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mitsubishi eclipse. While driving 45 MPH, the steering wheel detached from the steering column. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over and had it towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed that the passenger side control arm, axle, and transmission needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 206,000.
1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse: ball joint or control arm failure
9 of the 120 complaints about the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse describe ball joint or control arm failure.
- owner complaints
- 9
- of this car's complaints
- 8%
- typical mileage
- 200,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 1 service bulletin for this area of the car. See below
Ball joint or control arm failure by model year
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mitsubishi eclipse. While driving 45 MPH, the steering wheel detached from the steering column. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over and towed to an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the passenger side control arm, axle, and transmission needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 206,000.
April 2010 while driving my vehicle a 1999 mitsubishi eclipse rs hatchback at approximately 20 miles per hour, the 1999 mitsubishi eclipse rs hatchback suddenly loss control and crashed onto the roadway. I heard a loud noise and the car instantly loss use of control in steering and the car proceeded to leave the road onto a grassy median to my left side. I discovered the front control arm was lying on the roadway detached from the axel and tire. The front driver's side wheel was wedged at an angle between the frame and the disassembled parts of the car. I had the 1999 mitsubishi eclipse towed home and replaced the faulty parts with another front control arm & lower ball joint purchased from auto zone. In 2011, the same vehicle a 1999 mitsubishi eclipse rs hatchback loses control while in motion at approximately 15 miles per hour, as I was turning left onto a two lane street. The car lost steering control skidding off the roadway in the direction on-coming traffic. The front control arm was lying on the ground detached from the front driver?s side wheel. The front driver's side wheel was wedged between the frame of the vehicle and the road. I contacted a towing service to tow the car in for repairs. I bought and replaced the faulty control arm & lower ball joints. July 2012, I was traveling at approximately 35 miles per hour, in the left lane of a four lane main thoroughfare, when the 1999 mitsubishi eclipse rs hatchback loss steering control and crashed to the ground while in motion, causing the car to leave the roadway towards the left. I got out of the vehicle to assess the damage and discovered the front control arm detached from the front driver's side wheel. The control arm was lying on the ground and the front driver's side wheel had been damaged from the impact and skidding along the roadway. I contacted a towing service to remove the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mitsubishi eclipse. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the contact heard a loud bang under the vehicle. The steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostics where the mechanic advised that the lower control arm was detached from the vehicle and would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred three times and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for the same repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 00v421001 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint) but had already been previously repaired. The contact denied having the repair performed previously. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 mitsubishi eclipse. The contact received a recall notice for a safety act that would replace the ball joints on the vehicle. The dealer replaced the ball joints; however, after he retrieved the vehicle, he noticed that it was pulling to the right due to the tire alignment. The dealer stated that he did not need an alignment with the replacement of the ball joints. An independent mechanic and another mitsubishi dealer stated that the vehicle would need a four wheel alignment following the replacement of the ball joints. The recall number was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 91,000.
Lower lateral ball joint broke off and tire came off of car causing my daughter to lose control of car. Found out that there had been a recall on this part in 2002 and records show that it had been changed. Evidently the same part was defective again, I believe. Car had to be flatbedded to repair shop and fixed for $1100. Thankfully she was not going fast as aaa driver said he had gone out on several calls for this car with the same result and many injuries occurred.
While driving 60 MPH front driver side lower ball joint snapped. Consumer managed to pull over, and had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a recall 00v421001 repair on 4/12/2001 concerning lower ball joint boot. Dealer inspected the parts and resealed the joint. Recently, consumer heard a noise while driving and took the vehicle to the dealer. On 6/7/2003 dealer stated both lower ball joints had to be replaced.
There was a recall on the front ball joints which I'm convinced lead to the uneven wear of the front tires. After the replacement nnoone in the service dept. Revealed to me about the fact that the cords were showing through on the front tires and sent me on my way. I'm also convinced that the ball joint defect resulted in the replacement of the front brake pads. Both the tire replacement and the brake pad replacement was an out of pocket expense to me because the dealership would not take responsiblity. (dot number: m6d2 tiresize: 205-55r16)
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the rubber boots on the lower lateral arm ball joints of the front suspension were damaged during assembly, dirt and water can intrude. Also, mmc has added the potential of leaking moisture, which can cause the ball stud to corrode.
- Risk
- This condition could cause the lower lateral arm ball joint to separate, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. This campaign supercedes mmc's previous safety recall campaign, see 99v‑066.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the lower lateral arm ball joint for wear. Ball joints that exhibit wear beyond the established tolerance will be replaced with newly designed lateral arm ball joints. Ball joints that are within the established tolerance will be cleaned and a special sealant will be applied to prevent intrusion of moisture.
Recall number 00V421001 · Recall details
Questions about the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse ball joint
Is ball joint or control arm failure a common problem on the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
9 of 120 owner complaints about the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse (8%) mention ball joint or control arm failure. The model year with the most reports is 1995.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
There is 1 recall and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse
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