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.
Mitsubishi Eclipse ball joint problems
93 of the 2,133 owner complaints about the Mitsubishi Eclipse describe ball joint or control arm failure, most of them for the 1995 model year.
- owner complaints
- 93
- worst model year
- 1995
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,100
- typical mileage
- 115,000
By model year
Often reported together
Grinding brakes 6Pulling 3Headlights 3Power steering loss 2Brake failure 2No deployment 2
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.
My car was stolen last year by someone I knew, and was wrecked. After the wreck, myself and pennsylvania state police spoke to the person and he said the accident was caused because the brakes failed to engage as he was making a turn and the right lower control arm failed, which caused the tie rod to snap which punctured through the wheel and out the tire. Damage done to the vehicle confirms this, and I have pictures and documentation to support this claim. Car was left on the side of the road with entire front right suspension detached, cv shaft ripped out from the manual transmission, entire front right wheel hub assembly was ripped off, caliper, brake pads and rotor remained attached to the hub, but were disconnected from the vehicle. The wheel also remained intact on the hub. There was significant front end damage to the bumper, fender, inner wheel hub splash guards, headlight, etc. Air bags did not deploy. His seat belt did not lock on impact. Car was totaled and considered salvage, but I reconstructed it and have over $4,500 invested in repairs that could have been avoided if the brakes and lower control arm worked properly. He was traveling on a side street through a small town around 11pm on a clear, warm night. No other moving cars were on the road at the time, but he did side swipe several parked cars.
This vehicle has a recall for the lower ball joint. After calling to set up an appointment to fix this issue the vehicle shows up as already serviced, which may have only been as little as an inspection that was done. The ball joint in this vehicle is currently failing and is extremely noticeable while driving. I am in search of a record for who filed the service for this recall or a confirmation that this issue can be "fixed" once again under the same recall.
I never received a recall alert from the dealer. Right now the dealer was sold to a new owner. I went to the dealer to buy a fender and my VIN number does not appear in the mitsubishi computer system here in puerto rico either in USA. So I would like an advise. What I have to do. I have all the purchasing paper from the dealer and the bank. A long time ago I have problem with the arm ball joints but I paid for the repair in a mechanic workshop.
"takata recall" I have replaced my control arms about 4 times now in the past 2 years. I have it fixed and then the squeaking always comes back, last about 6 months and then lower ball joint breaks. Last time it broke I was going about 40mph, it was very scary. The picture I sent was taken on 7/28/14. The last time it happened was on 6/20/15 and I have had it replaced since.
"takata recall" I have replaced my control arms about 4 times now in the past 2 years. I have it fixed and then the squeaking always comes back lasts about 6 months then the lower ball joint breaks. Last time it broke I was going about 40 MPH, it was very scary. The picture I sent was taken on 7/28/2014. Though the last time it broke was on 6/20/2015.
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 1995 mitsubishi eclipse. The contact stated that when attempting a turn or driving over a road bump, the vehicle would make a squealing and popping noise. Also, the vehicle would pull to the left abnormally. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign id number: 00v421001 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint), but was advised by the dealer that the VIN was not associated with the recall. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 149,000 and the current mileage was 149,300. The VIN was unavailable.
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
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.
- Risk
- This condition could cause the lower lateral arm ball joint to separate, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the rubber boots, and if the boot is damaged, they will replace the lower lateral arm and ball joint on the affected vehicles.
Recall number 99V066001 · Recall details
Questions about the Mitsubishi Eclipse ball joint
Which Mitsubishi Eclipse years have ball joint or control arm failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1995 (35 complaints), 1996 (23 complaints) and 1997 (10 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix ball joint or control arm failure on the Mitsubishi Eclipse?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,100 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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