FaultScore

1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse suspension problems

50 of the 440 complaints about the 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse are about the suspension — 11% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 134,500 miles.

C

50

Complaints

5

Crashes

1

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Lower Ball Joint 23 46.0%
Front 9 18.0%
Control ARM 7 14.0%
Lower ARM 4 8.0%
Suspension 3 6.0%
Upper Ball Joint 3 6.0%
Rear 1 2.0%

Suspension across every Mitsubishi Eclipse year

1995 50 37.0%
1996 30 22.2%
1997 19 14.1%
1998 13 9.6%
1999 12 8.9%
2000 11 8.1%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 149,000 miles Archdale, NC

SUSPENSION

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 NHTSA 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.

NHTSA complaint #10430253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Roseville, MI

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE TURBO GTS. WHEN THE TIRES WERE ALIGNED, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WHEELS WERE FALLING OFF OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SUSPENSION:FRONT: CONTROL ARM LOWER BALL JOINTS AND THAT THEY APPEAR AS THOUGH THEY WERE NOT REPLACED. THE DEALER PROVIDED PROOF THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,000. THE ENGINE SIZE IS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10190201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 156,000 miles Pattersonville, NY

SUSPENSION:REAR

CAP OF DRIVER'S SIDE REAR STRUT TOWER FAILED. CAR SKIDDED BECAUSE THE SPRING AND SHOCK WERE RELEASED. REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE SECURED FROM DEALER WHICH ADVISED THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10168497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Crete, NE Crash

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE # 00V421001. WHILE ON HIS WAY TO THE DEALER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FRONT LEFT BALL JOINT BROKE, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SKIDDED OFF THE ROAD INTO A CORNFIELD. WHEN HE WENT TO DEALER, THEY TOLD HIM THAT THEY WOULD NOT SERVICE THE VEHICLE FOR THE RECALL OR COVER THE DAMAGES.

NHTSA complaint #10105539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cullowhee, NC Crash

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE BALL JOINT UNEXPECTEDLY FELL OFF, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. DEALER WAS INFORMED BY CONSUMER.

NHTSA complaint #10103899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Miami, FL

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

RECALL SR-04-001: DRIVING 35 MPH FRONT RIGHT LATERAL BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM SOCKET CAUSING LOST OF CONTROL. *BF THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE BALL JOINT, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER CAN'T AFFORD THE EXPENSE OF HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10099458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 111,000 miles Wappingers Falls, NY

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

WHEN DRIVING STEERING WHEEL FELT REAL LOOSE. DEALER STATED LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #10044968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bennington, VT

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

COMPONENT RELATED TO RECALL 00V421001 FOR LOWER BALL JOINT INTERACTS WITH LOWER COMPRESSION ARM IN FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. COMPRESSION ARM IS NOT CONSIDERED PART OF RECALL, AND WILL COST ADDITIONAL TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #8017265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bennington, VT

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

COMPONENT RELATED TO RECALL 00V421001 FOR LOWER BALL JOINT INTERACTS WITH LOWER COMPRESSION ARM IN FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. COMPRESSION ARM IS NOT CONSIDERED PART OF RECALL, AND WILL COST ADDITIONAL TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #8017265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

ON AUGUST 8, 2001, I TOOK MY ECLIPSE TO JERRY'S MITSUBISHI IN BALTIMORE, MD TO HAVE THE INDEPENDENT FRONT CONTROL ARM AND LOWER BALL JOINT REPAIRED AS A RESULT OF NHTSA RECALL 00V421001. ACCORDING TO THE STATEMENT OF WORK, THE DEFECTIVE PARTS WERE REPLACED AND REPAIRS MADE ACCORDING TO THE RECALL NOTICE. ON JUNE 9, 2002, THE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT/INDEPENDENT FRONT CONTROL FAILED DURING A SLOW SPEED TURN OF LESS THAN 15 MILES PER HOUR. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE CAR ABRUPTLY STOPPED. UPON INSPECTION, THE RIGHT WHEEL HAD SEPARATED FROM THE CONTROL ARM AND WAS JAMMED IN THE FRONT WHEEL HOUSING. AT THIS POINT THE CAR WAS INOPERABLE. SERVICE WAS REQUESTED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO APPLE AUTO, BALTIMORE, MD (410-488-8788). IN CONVERSATIONS WITH DAVE, THE AUTO TECHNICIAN AT APPLE, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BALL JOINT HAD FAILED, THE CONTROL ARM HAD FAILED, AND THAT THE BEARINGS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE REMAINS THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE AXLE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THAT CANNOT BE DONE UNTIL THE CAR IS IN A DRIVEABLE CONDITION.

NHTSA complaint #762868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Newport News, VA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HIT A PUDDLE OF WATER AND VEHICLE HYDROPLANED, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND VEHICLE SLID SIDEWAYS AND WENT OFF THE ROADWAY, VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AND CAME TO A REST, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED, NOW CONSUMER HAS RECEIVED RECALL 00V421 REGARDING THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT AND HE FEELS THIS MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF HIS ACCIDENT AND IS REQUESTING COMPENSATION. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #561663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Scaramento, CA

SUSPENSION

ALL FOUR STRUTS WERE LEAKING FLUID,.ALSO, ALL FOUR STRUTS NEED TO BE CHANGED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.

NHTSA complaint #8008494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Newport News, VA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HIT A PUDDLE OF WATER AND VEHICLE HYDROPLANED, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND VEHICLE SLID SIDEWAYS AND WENT OFF THE ROADWAY, VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AND CAME TO A REST, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED, NOW CONSUMER HAS RECEIVED RECALL 00V421 REGARDING THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT AND HE FEELS THIS MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF HIS ACCIDENT AND IS REQUESTING COMPENSATION. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #561663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Porterville, CA Crash 2 injured

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, HITTING A TELEPHONE POLE, DUE TO BALL JOINT FAILURE, AIR BAGS FAILED AND THE SEAT BROKE.

NHTSA complaint #9004413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lawton, OK

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

PRIOR TO RECALL(SR-01-007) WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A STOP SIGN, CONSUMER STATES IT SEEMED THAT VEHICLE HAD FALLEN INTO A HOLE, WHEN CONSUMER GOT OUT OF VEHICLE THE TIRE WAS LYING SIDEWAYS UNDER THE VEHICLE, VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE HAD LOST ITS SEAL IN THE INCIDENT, CONSUMER INFORMED DEALERSHIP THAT THE PART THAT THEY ARE RECALLING WAS ALREADY REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #562068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bella Vista, AR Fire

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE FOR A 1 HOUR. CONSUMER'S DOG WAS SCRATCHING ON DOOR WHEN CONSUMER OPENED DOOR AND FLAMES BURSTED THROUGH. VEHICLE AND HOME, BOTH WERE DESTROYED BY FIRE. CONSUMER WAS UNAWARE THERE WAS A PROBLEM NO CONTACT WAS MADE TO THE MANUFACTURER. 6 MONTHS LATER , CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL 00V421001/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL SR01-007 CONCERNING LOWER LEFT BALL JOINT. CONSUMER JUST RECEIVED THE ARSON INVESTIGATOR'S REPORT DETERMINING THAT LOWER LEFT QUADRANT OF THE VEHICLE WAS CAUSE OF FIRE. PLEASE ADD THE VIN# AND MILEAGE.

NHTSA complaint #894853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Birmingham, AL

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

THE CAR WAS RECALLED LAST YEAR,WE TOOK IT TO MURPHY MITSUBISHI IN PELHAM,ALABAMA AND WE WERE REFUSED SERVICE.THREE WEEKS LATER THE CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT BROKE AND MY WIFE HAD AN ACCIDENT COSTING US HUNDREDS IN DAMAGES.

NHTSA complaint #746869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Worth, TX

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION (00V421001 AND 99V066001) CONSUMER EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH BALL JOINTS AND HIS OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES HAS BEEN ABOUT $2000.00, CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #560834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pico River, CA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

WHILE MAKING A TURN, VEHICLE MADE A VERY LOUD CRACKING NOISE AND VEHICLE FELL TO GROUND, CONSUMER HAD NO CONTROL OF STEERING, CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AFTER SKIDDING A LONG DISTANCE ACROSS TWO LANES,AFTER GETTING OUT OF CAR CONSUMER NOTICED LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS AT AN AWKWARD ANGLE,ABOUT 45 DEGREES FROM VERTICAL AND THE WHOLE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR WAS ON THE GROUND, WHEEL WAS STILL ATTACHED TO CAR, AFTER HAVING CAR TOWED WAS ADC BY MECHANIC THAT BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM THE LOWER ARM WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL TO PULL AWAY FROM THE CAR AND CRASH TO THE GROUND,CONSUMER FOUND WEBSITE THAT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART, BUT WAS ADV BY MITSUBUSHI THAT VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN LOOKED AT IN NOVEMBER 1999 WHICH INCLUDED INSPECTING PARTS AND ONLY REPLACING WHAT WAS DAMAGED,CONSUMER WENT BACK TO WEBSITE AND FOUND ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE THAT SUPERCEDED THE PREVIOUS RECALL NOTICE AND THIS RECALL WENT OUT IN 2000,CONSUMER WAS ADV BY MITSUBISHI THAT THEY KNEW NOTHING OF THE RECALL,AND SAID THEY COULD NOT MAKE ANOTHER RECALL ON THE SAME PART THEY ALREADY RECALLED, HE WAS ADV THAT MAYBE NHTSA WAS UPDATING WEBSITE PAGE,CONSUMER WAS ADV BY MITSUBISHI TO CALL NHTSA TO FOUND OUT WAS GOING ON. *

NHTSA complaint #560844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mocksville, NC Crash

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

CONSUMER HAD RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR CONTROL ARM, BUT DID TAKE VEHICLE RIGHT AWAY FOR REPAIRS. 30 DAYS LATER CONTROL ARMS HAD FALLEN OFF VEHICLE.*AK WHILE THE CONSUMER AS TRAVELLING, THE RIGHT FRONT CONTROL ARM AND THE WHEEL FELL OFF AND THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL CAUSING ACCIDENT. DURING THE ACCIDENT, THE FRONT PANEL, MIRROR, THE WINDSHIELD AND THE RIM WERE DAMAGED. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL ON CONTROL ARM AND THE DEALER DENIED HIM REFUND FOR REPAIR COST ON RECALL PART WHICH THE CONSUMER PAID FOR BEFORE RECALL WAS ISSUED.

NHTSA complaint #882809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Orleans, LA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

LOWER CONTROL ARM/BALL JOINT BROKE. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #882639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Lauderdale, FL

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA RECALL 99V066001/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL SR99-002. DEALER INSPECTED PART, NO PARTS. HAS CONTACTED A DEALER, DEALER HAS NOTICED LOWER BALL JOINT BOOT HAS STARTED TO SEPARATE WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR RECALL WORK. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #876240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Memephis, TN

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

RECALL 99V066001/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL SR99002. CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 50MPH & BALL JOINT ON THE RIGHT SIDE CAME OUT AND BROKE LOWER CONTROL ARM, CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN INTO SIDE OF BRIDGE. BODY SHOP THAT IT WAS TOWED TO WOULD NOT TOUCH VEHICLE. THEY SAID THAT MANUFACTURER NEEDED TO FIX IT. ON LEFT SIDE WAS GOING TO REPAEAT THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #875895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Canoga Park, CA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

CONSUME R WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH ON HIGHWAY BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS BROKE. ALSO, BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT AXLES BROKE . HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #873207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cornelius, NC

SUSPENSION:FRONT

DEALERSHIPS MAKE NO EFFORT TO SOLVE PROBLEMS, SIMPLY SAY THAT THEY DON'T SEE IT UPON INSPECTION.

NHTSA complaint #729558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Midlothian, VA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 99V-066. NLM

NHTSA complaint #552358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfield, IL

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL NHTSA 99V066001/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL SR-99-002 CONCERNING LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO CORRECT THE RECALL DUE TO VEHICLE BEING SALVAGED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #862632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hawthorne, NJ

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE RECALL COMPONENT PRIOR TO NOTIFICATION, HOWEVER IS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO LOCATION OF REPAIR. (99V-066) *MJS

NHTSA complaint #551293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Odessa, TX

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED WHILE CONSUMER WAS PULLING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN, CAUSING THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER RECEIVED AN RECALL LETTER FOR THE BOOT, BUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINT BOOT WAS FINE AND DID NOT NEED CHANGING.

NHTSA complaint #856019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Finleyville, PA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

THE RIGHT TIRE FELL OFF WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. DAY TOYOTA REPLACED THE BALL JOINT & ARM. MITSUBISHI DEALER EXAMINED THE CAR & STATED OTHER BALL JOINT WAS CRACKED. MITUBISHI WILL NOT REIMBURSE FOR REPLACEMENT OF 2ND BALL JOINT, EVEN THOUGH THIS WAS A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #718100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems

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