FaultScore

1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse suspension problems

19 of the 185 complaints about the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse are about the suspension — 10% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 91,500 miles.

C

19

Complaints

2

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Lower Ball Joint 6 31.6%
Suspension 5 26.3%
Front 2 10.5%
Lower ARM 2 10.5%
Upper Ball Joint 2 10.5%
Coil Springs 1 5.3%
Shock Absorber 1 5.3%

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 172,000 miles Stanwood, IA

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10958539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25 miles Humacao, PR

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10928203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 170,000 miles Columbus, OH

SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL IN 2010, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA complaint #10822279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Elkridge, MD Crash

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO THE CURB. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE FOGGY AND DAMP. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS LATER, THE VEHICLE JERKED TO THE RIGHT AND THE LEFT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND ROD ENDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE LOWER BALL JOINT (RECALL # 00V421001). THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 130,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #10193838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 115,000 miles Whitehall, PA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GSX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL # 00V421001 FOR SUSPENSION: LOWER BALL JOINTS. THE VEHICLE CONTAINED THE SAME BALL JOINTS FROM THE LAST RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERABLE, BUT AT A HIGH RISK, AND FELT ANOTHER RECALL WAS NEEDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115000.

NHTSA complaint #10185922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 103,000 miles Kempner, TX

SUSPENSION

CONSTANT OVER HEATING AND FLUID COMING OUT OF THE RADIATOR CAP, ALSO SEVERE SHAKING IN THE STERRING WHEEL AND 4TH GEAR. WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT?

NHTSA complaint #10146542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 158,065 miles Cyril, OK

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

I HAVE OWNED MY CARE FOR 3 YEARS. IN THAT TIME I HAVE HAD A LEAKING SUNROOF, BROKEN PASSENGER REAR VIEW MIRROR, BROKEN PASSENGER WINDOW "WONT ROLL UP", NUMEROUS TIRE CHANGES, BAD VIBRATION, HORRIBLE NOISES WHEN TURNING WHEEL, HAVE REPLACED 2 TRANSMISSIONS, BOTH TIE ROD ENDS, 1 LOWER BALL JOINT AND CONTROL ARM SUSPENSION BAR"MORE INFO ON THIS BELOW", ALTERNATOR, BOTH HEADLIGHTS, 4 DIFFERANT SEATS OF BREAKS, 2 SEATS CONSTINTLY RUNNING LOW ON OIL, REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER, SEAT BELTS DON'T STOP, BATTERY CABLES KEEP CARODING, REPLACE SPARK PLUGS ATLEAST 3 TO 4 TIMES A YEAR, VIBRATES WHEN GOING DOWN ROAD. THOSE ARE JUST THE THINGS OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD THAT I HAVE DONE TO THIS CAR. NOW TO THE ACCIDENT. AFTER I GOT OFF WORK I WAS ON MY WAY HOME WHEN I DECIDED TO GO TO MY FRIENDS SO WHILE DRIVING TO HER HOUSE I HEAR A LOUD POP AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW MY CAR IS CONTROLING ITSELF AND I CAN'T STEER IT. THIS WAS ALL DO TO MY LOWER BALL JOINT SHATTERING AND MY WHEEL ALMOST COMPLETLY DETACHING FROM MY CAR. NOW THE OTHER SIDE IS STARTING TO MAKE THAT HORRIBLE NOISE. THE CONTROL ARM SWUNG ON THE BOTTUM OF MY CAR AFTER IT BROKE DURING THIS AND TORE OUT MY OIL FILTER, OIL PAN, AND OXYGEN SENSEOR. HAVE YET TO RECIEVE ANY INFORMATION FROM MITSUBISHI.

NHTSA complaint #10090522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 158,065 miles Cyril, OK

SUSPENSION

I HAVE OWNED MY CARE FOR 3 YEARS. IN THAT TIME I HAVE HAD A LEAKING SUNROOF, BROKEN PASSENGER REAR VIEW MIRROR, BROKEN PASSENGER WINDOW "WONT ROLL UP", NUMEROUS TIRE CHANGES, BAD VIBRATION, HORRIBLE NOISES WHEN TURNING WHEEL, HAVE REPLACED 2 TRANSMISSIONS, BOTH TIE ROD ENDS, 1 LOWER BALL JOINT AND CONTROL ARM SUSPENSION BAR"MORE INFO ON THIS BELOW", ALTERNATOR, BOTH HEADLIGHTS, 4 DIFFERANT SEATS OF BREAKS, 2 SEATS CONSTINTLY RUNNING LOW ON OIL, REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER, SEAT BELTS DON'T STOP, BATTERY CABLES KEEP CARODING, REPLACE SPARK PLUGS ATLEAST 3 TO 4 TIMES A YEAR, VIBRATES WHEN GOING DOWN ROAD. THOSE ARE JUST THE THINGS OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD THAT I HAVE DONE TO THIS CAR. NOW TO THE ACCIDENT. AFTER I GOT OFF WORK I WAS ON MY WAY HOME WHEN I DECIDED TO GO TO MY FRIENDS SO WHILE DRIVING TO HER HOUSE I HEAR A LOUD POP AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW MY CAR IS CONTROLING ITSELF AND I CAN'T STEER IT. THIS WAS ALL DO TO MY LOWER BALL JOINT SHATTERING AND MY WHEEL ALMOST COMPLETLY DETACHING FROM MY CAR. NOW THE OTHER SIDE IS STARTING TO MAKE THAT HORRIBLE NOISE. THE CONTROL ARM SWUNG ON THE BOTTUM OF MY CAR AFTER IT BROKE DURING THIS AND TORE OUT MY OIL FILTER, OIL PAN, AND OXYGEN SENSEOR. HAVE YET TO RECIEVE ANY INFORMATION FROM MITSUBISHI.

NHTSA complaint #10090522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Helena, MT

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

PREMATURE WEAR OF THE LOWER LATERAL ARM AND BALL JOINTS. *MR THE VEHICLE MADE NOISES AND THE STEERING WAS OFF. THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOUND THAT THE TROUBLED AREA WAS ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. (THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE BALL JOINTS) THE PROBLEM OCCURRED LESS THAN A MONTH BEFORE RECEIVING RECALL#00V421001. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10073940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Columbus, GA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BALL JOINT PROBLEM. THE WHEELS CAN BE HEARD WHEN MAKING A SHARP TURN. CONSUMER CAN HEAR THE RATTLING FROM WITHIN. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10061607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Columbus, GA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BALL JOINT PROBLEM. THE WHEELS CAN BE HEARD WHEN MAKING A SHARP TURN. CONSUMER CAN HEAR THE RATTLING FROM WITHIN. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10061607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles SAN Angelo, TX

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS BALL JOINT. LOUD KNOCKING SOUND EVIDENT ON DRIVERS SIDE. WHEEL BASE ON DRIVERS SIDE IS 1998" WHILE PASSENGER SIDE IS STILL AT 1999" PREVIOUS RECALL CONCERNS DID NOT STATE WHICH LOWER CONTROL ARM TO BE REPLACED. DEALER REPLACED THE SMALLER STRAIGHT ARM AND NOT THE L-SHAPED ONE. THE LOWER L-SHAPED ARM BALL JOINT CONTROLS THE WHEELBASE WHEN SEPERATED COULD SEND THE VEHICLE AIRBORN BY WHEEL TO FRAME CONTACT.

NHTSA complaint #10036726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles SAN Angelo, TX

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS BALL JOINT. LOUD KNOCKING SOUND EVIDENT ON DRIVERS SIDE. WHEEL BASE ON DRIVERS SIDE IS 1998" WHILE PASSENGER SIDE IS STILL AT 1999" PREVIOUS RECALL CONCERNS DID NOT STATE WHICH LOWER CONTROL ARM TO BE REPLACED. DEALER REPLACED THE SMALLER STRAIGHT ARM AND NOT THE L-SHAPED ONE. THE LOWER L-SHAPED ARM BALL JOINT CONTROLS THE WHEELBASE WHEN SEPERATED COULD SEND THE VEHICLE AIRBORN BY WHEEL TO FRAME CONTACT.

NHTSA complaint #10036726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Milford, NJ

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

CONSUMER STATED THAT DURING A RECALL REPLACEMENT OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS, THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE LEFT SIDE UPPER CONTROL ARM WAS FAILING DUE TO EXCESSIVELY WORN BALL JOINT AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER SINCE THESE SUSPENSION PARTS FAILED AT THE SAME TIME.

NHTSA complaint #566878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ofallon, IL

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER

STRUT TOWER ON PASSENGER'S SIDE IS PREMATURELY RUSTING, CAUSING BOLTS TO PULL THROUGH. THIS COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE A PROBLEM WITH WHEEL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, AND IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.

NHTSA complaint #8004850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Portland, TN

SUSPENSION:FRONT

THESE CARS ARE NOT WORTH THE MONEY USED TO MAKE THEM!!!!. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.

NHTSA complaint #751748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Newport News, VA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

CONSUMER IS CALLING DEALER IN REGARD TO RECALL #001421000 FOR LOWER BALL JOINT BOOT. DEALER REFUSED TO REMEDY VEHICLE BECAUSE OIL WAS LEAKING INTO BALL JOINTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #895303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

COIL SPRINGS MAKE NOISE.

NHTSA complaint #533703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Scranton, PA Crash

SUSPENSION:FRONT

EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT IN DRIVER SEAT. CLUTCH MALFUNCTION. VEHICLE HAS SURGED CAUSING CRASH. EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR. NO NOTICE OF RECALL 97V08100 OR 97V081001.

NHTSA complaint #527465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems

← Full 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse report