The wheel of my daughter's mitsubishi galant fell off! While pulling into the driveway at our home, the galant's ball joint on the lower lateral control arm failed. The ball joint pulled out of the socket and the transaxle pulled out of the transmission. This resulted in the wheel falling against the wheel well (literally falling off the car!) there was no grease in the ball joint socket. Thankfully, this occurred at a very low rate of speed. If it had happened on the expressway, it would have definitely caused a serious accident! This 1994 galant has only 86,000 miles on it, and has no open recalls. My daughter had taken this vehicle to a certified mechanic about a week before the incident because she sometimes heard a grinding noise coming from the wheel area. The shop wrongly diagnosed the problem as tie rod ends. They said there were no immediate safety concerns.
1994 Mitsubishi Galant suspension problems
57 complaints (29% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 98,000. 3 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 57
- of this car's complaints
- 29%
- typical mileage
- 98,000
- crashes
- 3
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Front: control arm: lower ball joint28
- Front: control arm11
- Front8
- Front: control arm: upper ball joint6
- Front: control arm: lower arm4
- Rear2
- Multiple axle1
- Front: springs: torsion bar1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Mitsubishi Galant suspension problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1994 Mitsubishi Galant suspension
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
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
Related investigations
Lower contrtol arm ball joint
There is no summary currently available
RQ00015
What 1994 Mitsubishi Galant owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
A near miss. The nut on the lower control arm came off on drivers side. 75 MPH and thank goodness I was strong to pull the asphalt eating front end to the side. Going downhill heard what was thought to be a pebble hit the underside of the car and then was being pulled under the oncoming semi. Upon finally stopping on the shoulder, I got out looked at my tire sitting perpendicular to the car, the cars front end sitting on the ground,(I have photo's) I looked back to see a grove and a black line traveling from the left lane to the center line back to the left lane and to my galant's resting place. At 48 years old I have driven many a car, never have I come so near to meeting my maker. The mechanic, 300 miles from my home said the ball joint boot failed and allowed the bolt to become loose and the travel just unscrewed the nut. All the threads were there, non were stripped. 3 days later I bravely loaded myself and my younger sister into the car with some make due repairs and a new lower control arm, a put back together with duct tape and a prayer cv axle( was pull out as far as it could go, a new slightly smaller new tire, and a $1000.00 poorer, I slowly made myself drive back home. Now I hear noises on the other side. Now I have started looking for places like this the air my complaints. I was fortunate. As an older person, a woman and original owner, I would have thought I would have received a recall, I didn't. Have had the same address for 16 years. Didn't know about it until I got here.
Pursuant to the ball joint recall for my 1994 mitsubishi galant, I took my car to ourisman mitsubishi in 2004 who then inspected the boot, noticed the boot was broken yet the serviceman resealed the boot and informed me that the car was checked and the lower control arms were intact. In august 2005, while I was having my car service for a water pump problem, the mechanic indicated that the lower ball joint was defective and that I needed to have it replaced.
During replacement of struts service technician noticed that ball joints had excessive play. *ts the manufacturer has recalled many ball joints recall #sr-04-001 according to alldata.
I received a recall notice for my 1994 mitsubishi galant ls ,and I took my car to the nearest dealership, ourisman mitsubishi, last year concerning the lower arm ball joint. It was determined there that the ball joint was in excellent condition. After having my car inspected by my private and certified mechanic he strongly recommended that I replace this very part. The mechanic indicated that the driver's side ball joint is in serious need of replacement.
Consumer took vehicle to dealer for recall 00v421003 repairs. Upon leaving the dealer consumer got into the vehicle to take an hour ride and vehicle started to vibrate erratically. Consumer took vehicle to two other mechanics, who determined that dealer had done something they should not have done to the vehicle.
The consumer took his vehicle in to have the oil changed and upon entering the bay at the shop, the lower ball joint fell off. Recall no. 00v421001.
The right side ball joint separated almost causing consumer to have an accident.*mr
Left front ball joint fell off. This caused the vehicle to suddenly stop and fall flat to the ground.
While turning 5 MPH, the front ball joint and axle snapped. The consumer was unable to shift the gears to control the vehicle. The consumer managed to pull over and had vehicle towed. Cause has yet to be determined. The dealership has been notified.
Questions about the 1994 Mitsubishi Galant suspension
Does the 1994 Mitsubishi Galant have suspension problems?
Owners have filed 57 complaints about the suspension of the 1994 Mitsubishi Galant, 29% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 1994 Mitsubishi Galant suspension problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 98,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1994 Mitsubishi Galant suspension?
Yes, 2 recalls: 00V421001, 99V066001. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Mitsubishi Galant have bad suspension?
The Mitsubishi Galant model years with the most suspension complaints are 1995 (69 complaints), 1994 (57 complaints) and 1999 (26 complaints).
Other 1994 Mitsubishi Galant problems
Airbags 35Transmission 25Brakes 20Engine 16Electrical 13Body 12Steering 12Lights 11Visibility 10Seat belts 9Locks 6Wheels 6Acceleration 5Tires 5Seats 2Fuel system 1
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