I currently bought the 1996 mitsubishi galant for my wife and 11 month old daughter. The dealer told me I needed a front end alignment to get the pull and shake out of my front end. I took it to an alignment shop and the ase master tech. Told me my control arms were bent due to corrosion of the ball joint, he then told me there was a recall on these vehicles and if I don't get the problem fixed it could result in a loss of steering. I don't think it would be safe for my wife to lose steering with our infant daughter so now I got bigger problems then a twenty five dollar front end alignment. I'm upset at the dealer for not informing me with these recalls not the manufacture for making the bad part. Please help before it is too late.
1996 Mitsubishi Galant: ball joint or control arm failure
18 of the 136 complaints about the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant describe ball joint or control arm failure.
- owner complaints
- 18
- of this car's complaints
- 13%
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 1 service bulletin for this area of the car. See below
Ball joint or control arm failure by model year
What owners say
After receiving a recall 00v421001, an appointment was made. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, and consumer was told that the ball joints were not defective. Consumer later purchased tires, and was told that the ball joint had excessive play.
While driving, the ball joints separated which caused the vehicle to steer to the left and damaged the axle.
Paid for repairs on a 1996 mitsubishi galant es suspension front control arm ball joint.
Consumer had left front ball joint repaired under recall last year. 6 months later, right ball joint broke. Consumer had repaired it. On 9/14/02 left ball joint broke again while driving, causing wheel to fall off.
Dealership examined vehicle for recall 00v421001. Dealership in each communication with consumer changed name of the component that would be repaired for this problem. Consumer was concerned that the part work has been performed on was not the part covered under recall , lower lateral arm ball joint. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
Lower front ball joints had a lot of play. Vehicle was making loud noises when making turns. Taking vehicle to dealership to have mechanic check it. *ak there was a recall regarding the ball joints, 00v421001, however dealer stated consumer's vehicle did not qualify for recall, consumer is requesting reimbursement. Transmission was replaced. Timing belt was replaced.
While driving, ball joint assembly failed, causing right front tire to come off and front end of vehicle dropped, during recall 99v066001, dealer inspected vehicle, however after inspecting the part stated it was okay and made no changes to vehicle, three months later the recall parts failed.
While driving at 10-15 MPH lower ball joint fell off vehicle. Had this component looked at under recall 99v066001 in september 2000. Was told balljoint was fine. Currently, dealer said this was normal wear and tear. *ak the consumer believes it was not normal wear and tear that caused the ball joint to fell off.
Recall 99v066001/ lower ball joints. Took vehicle to dealer november and october 13,2000, and dealer was not willing to fix recall. Dealer is rayskillman mitsubishi, 8424 highway 31, greenwood, in (317) 8852700. *ak after many calls mitsubishi agreed to fix damage.
Recall received on ball joint, ball joint boot. Took car to dealership and the service department checked it and said it was ok on 7/28/00. On 9/4/00 the ball joint broke, causing the left front wheel to turn sideways and causing a crash.
Transmission slams into gear after starting from first to second then from second to first. Got diagnostics test done at cantins in laconia they stated that the park/neutral switch was wet they cleaned it then stated it was fine. Picked car up and they hadn't fixed the problem for the check engine light came back on and remains on with the problem still occuring. Also, had a recall on this car for the lateral control arm boot assembly . Cantins said it was fine on the car but think that there is a problem with it for when I brake it has a grinding sound to it.
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
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 1996 Mitsubishi Galant ball joint
Is ball joint or control arm failure a common problem on the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant?
18 of 136 owner complaints about the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant (13%) mention ball joint or control arm failure. The model year with the most reports is 1994.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant?
There are 2 recalls and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1996 Mitsubishi Galant
No deployment 12Brake failure 7Transmission failure 7Grinding brakes 6
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