Mitsubishi Montero ball joint problems

Filed Dec 1, 2004 · Steering · NC

This vehicle while backing from a parking spot separated the inner tie rod from the outter there are no sings of damage or abuse that I could find. The factory replacement parts have an enormous amount of play. We have tried two inner and two outter and the same result. The local dealership states this normal. I am not the owner of this vehicle. It was brought to me to be repaired. I am an ase certified master tech. I feel like there is a defect in the design of this vehicle.

Filed Apr 22, 2003 · Wheels · 85,000 miles · ME

The driver side wheel nut and screw broke while driving. *jb tie rod adjustment nut and tie rod were no good, had to replace both ball joints and tie rod.

Filed Mar 5, 2003 · Body, Steering · VA

Nar 03/05/2003 the consumer rear door hinges had to be replaced , the tie rod broke on the truck, and the water pump froze seizing power to the timing belt.

Filed Feb 8, 2003 · Steering · 13,388 miles · NJ · crash · 1 injury

Our accident occured while towing a pop up trailer. We are experienced driver's and have been towing a trailer for more than 12 years. While traveling at approximately 55 MPH, suddenly and without warning I was unable to control the car. We were traveling on a straight section of highway in the right lane. The road conditions and weather conditions were good. There were no tire failures on the car or the trailer. The steering wheel started rocking and soon we had no control of the car. The front end felt as though it was nose plowing. The car swerved into the left lane. The first impact was to the trailer; it brushed against the concrete median divider. The car than pulled to the right. The second impact was to the driver's side front end of the car that hit the metal guardrail on the right side of the road. The weight of the trailer pulled us back onto the road. The trailer at this point jack knifed and flipped onto it's roof proceeding north on the highway for about 50 feet. The third impact was to the drivers side rear of the car, again hitting the guardrail as the trailer pulled the car backward. We feel that if we were not towing the trailer we would have been another victim of a SUV roll over accident. After examining the car after the accident it was discovered that the left tie rod was snapped in half. The left front tire was turned outwards while the right front tire was facing forwards. Mitsubishi has yet to be able to explain what happened with the car. To date there have been over $21,000 in repairs to the vehicle. They still have our car!

Filed Nov 26, 2002 · Suspension · CA · crash

Right side of car suddenly dropped when making a left turn from a stop light. Driver lost control of car running into right side curb no injuries. After collision the wheel was at an angle and joint at the right upper control arm was loose at the hub. Also, the right rear wheel rim was broken and the rear tire had become flat. There was no damage to tire to indicate any kind of blow out. Parts that required replacement included right rear hub, right rear axle assembly, right rear shock, right rear wheel and tire, right rear upper control arm and right lower trailing arm. Observation of the damaged hub indicated that the slot that holds the bolt from the upper control arm was distorted into an oval shape. Dt

Filed Aug 12, 2001 · Suspension · CA

The front wheel bearings have been adjusted twice by mitsubishi dealership mechanics. First time by "courtesy mitsubishi" on stevens creek blvd., san jose ca. The second attempt to have this repaired was again at courtesy mitsu with no cooperation from the service dept. They claimed that the eratic steering and the low grumbling sound was eminating from the front tires. And they further claimed that they could not diagnose the problem due to "tread separation" on the front tires. This was confirmed at a later date to be false as I took the vehicle to a yokohama dealership and had the owner inspect the tires. He found no defects. I had the tires rotated and balanced to eliminate any doubt as to the tires condition. The vehicle continued to progressively get worse. Loud clunking noises, wheel bearing growl, and extremely erratic steering behavior at all speeds. I am not able to take my family out on the freeway in this vehicle as I am afraid for their safety. I took the truck to another, larger dealer, "capitol mitsubishi". They kept the vehicle for 48 hrs and concluded that the front wheel bearings were indeed loose again. However they refused to admit that there was any other problem and only retightened the bearings on the right side. The manager went for a test drive with me and I told him that the problem was not solved. He refused to do the work under warrantee and billed me $90.00 labor for retightening the bearings. This vehicle is dangerous to drive and the front suspension components are rapidly deteriorating. Ball joints, control arm bushings, wheel bearings... Mitsubishi is violating the warrantee by avoiding and delaying a full and complete repair of these problems!

Filed Apr 24, 2000 · Steering, Suspension · MA

While driving passenger's front inner tie rod broke, causing loss of steering control which might have resulted in a crash. Dealer said consumer needed to replace tie rod/ball joint, and control arm which seemed to have worn out. Please provide further information.

Filed Jan 13, 2000 · Suspension · MD

Vehicle has been defective since day one of purchase, upper control arms are bad and bearings in front susupension. Manufacturer and dealer refuse to admit a problem existed, told me to find problem, they would then deal with the vehicle. If the part is defective on my vehicle there are thousands more just like mine. Someone will be hurt eventually in an accident.

Filed Jan 4, 2000 · Suspension · MD

Vehicle has been defective since day one of purchase, upper control arms are bad and bearings in front susupension. Manufacturer and dealer refuse to admit a problem existed, told me to find problem, they would then deal with the vehicle. I had to take the vehicle to a goodyear store to detect the problem. If the part is defective on my vehicle there are thousands more just like mine. Someone will eventually be hurt in an accident.

Filed Feb 5, 1999 · Steering, Visibility · KS

Driving at approximately 10-15 MPH, making a right hand turn, inner tie rod broke, causing a loss of vehicle control. Both tie rods replaced. Also, driver side window shattered while driving on highway at speed of 65 MPH.