Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
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. 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.
Tl 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 …
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 [phone]). …
Consumer was sent NHTSA recall 99V066001/manufacturer's recall sr9902, upper control arm-ball joints. Prior to taking vehicle for repairs, the left front wheel separated, causing loss of vehicle control. Vehicle traveling at approximately 25 MPH and hit a small bump, when the left front wheel collapsed. The steering wheel turned all the way to the left and vehicle skidded across two lanes. Consumer contacted dealer to have vehicle repaired, dealer charged consumer for correction.
Related recalls
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
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.
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.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Lower contrtol arm ball joint
There is no summary currently available
Suspension complaints in other Eclipse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the suspension of the 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 15% of the model year's 307 complaints. The component named most often is front › control arm › lower ball joint (23 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V421001 (lower ball joint, Dec 18, 2000); NHTSA recall 99V066001 (lower ball joint, Apr 5, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 149,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.