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 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While traveling down our street, my lower ball joint on my 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse gs failed. I was traveling approximately 30-35 MPH at the time of the failure. My vehicle pulled hard to the right before the failure. I did not realize what was happening at the time, so I corrected the pull by turning the wheel back to the left. Within seconds of correcting, the ball joint failed. My passenger side front tire was forced into the wheel well and very nearly torn off. The vehicle had to be towed to a local dealer to be repaired. My vehicle has been to the same dealer twice prior regarding the lbj recall. It upsets me to know that the dealer refused to replace them when the vehicle was inspected for the second time. However, I feel that the dealership in question was negligent in its inspection and did not perform the required inspection fully. …
Recall in November on ball joint, had auto co. Check, said it was no problem. Sunday when pulling away from curb, heard loud popping sound, got out and looked, didn't see anything wrong, went to back up, and ball joint broke, car crashed on to pavement. Left tire went into fender. This vehicle was used on normal paved roads only. Veh. Is 4 years old, 71,000 miles. Company is denying fault. Why recall in nov. On ball joints if there isn't a problem. This situation, with collapsing ball joint, could injury or kill someone. I am very lucky. Mitsubishi, who designed these ball joints for the Eclipse, are responsible for their design. This is very dangerous. I am extremely lucky that I wasn't killed or injured. The damage to my vehicle is severe. I called Mitsubishi, and explained that there was a recall, and they said since it was checked then it was alright. …
10/26/01 l front lwr control arm broke, the car bounced down the road when susp came apart. Gville mitz replaced the parts at the cost of the manf. The vehicle had 104000 mi at that time. Items listed on repair invoice: arm assy (fr susp), shaft assy (fr axl), shield kit splash, air dam side fr lh, end assy, tie rod, fender fr lh 12/8/07 susp broke again. While driving I thought the drv side front tire had popped. I let off the gas/ tried to pull the vehicle over. I was in the l lane near an interstate entrance. When I was near the barrier the vehicle jumped left. It made contact with the concrete wall, I pulled the wheel back towards the right. When I did this the broken left front susp/tire went beneath the car. The auto was catapulted onto the concrete barrier on it's nose. …
I was driving about 70 on the interstate, I pulled off onto the access road. My car felt very unstable. I was coming down a hill into a very busy intersection, and I was easing through the intersection and my car fell upon its tire. The wheel well collapsed onto the tire, and I could not move. The towing people said they had seen many eclipses with this problem. I am now terrified to drive my Eclipse (even after it has been repaired). I had taken my car to several dealerships and many repair shops, and I was told that there was no problem. The right front suspension separated.
Dt: front passenger side ball joint failure. Contact said the wheel and ball joint fell off. Caller received recall 04V421001 concerning ball joints when caller took vehicle to dealer about 2 years ago the dealer said it was okay. Then on t July 0, 2005 she heard a pop and the vehicle dropped. Caller was going about 40 MPH. Caller had to have it towed to the dealer. She has not spoken to them yet. Manufacturer has not been contacted.
Consumer received a recall notice for ball joints in September 2000. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer, who inspected the vehicle, but did not repair the ball joints. Dealer indicated ball joints did not need replacement or repair. However, in December 2001 the ball joints collapsed. In January 2002 dealer repaired the ball joints, but did not replace the entire ball joint assembly. Currently, front end squeaks.
Dt*: the contact stated while applying brake pressure at various speeds, there was a popping noise. The vehicle was seen by a dealer and it was determined the lower control arm ball joints needed replaced. A NHTSA recall, #00V421001 was performed on the vehicle concerning, the suspension however, the recall did not remedy the problem. The dealership would not offer a second repair without charge under the recall.
I took my 96 Eclipse to a Mitsubishi dealer (carlsbad Mitsubishi) nearly a year ago to follow up on a ball joint recall I had heard about. The dealership briefly looked inot my car and told me the ball joint was fine. About 4 months later I began to hear a "click" while in low speeds, and the handling felt unstable during normal freeway and street driving. I took my car to another mechanic, who said he could not do a normal alignment on my car because the front ball joints were too damaged. The mechanic was aware of the recall and advised to return to the Mitsubishi dealer to have the ball joints replaced. I went to heller mitusbishi in escondido and explained the situation. A mechanic spent a brief amount of time with my car and told me that the boots were not leaking and therefore would not be covered. …
Re: dealership complaint: refusal to honor existing NHTSA campaign id numbers: 00V421001, 99V066001 Mitsubishi Eclipse, suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint I recently took my 1996 Eclipse to my local dealership (arnold Mitsubishi, roseville, mi) to make an appointment for this recall as there is serious 'clunking' in my front ball joints. I was told my VIN number was not included in the recalls. Your database seems to indicate that this was an 'across the board' recall. I've been warned that this is a lousy dealership. Are they correct, or am I? And what should I do?
While driving vehicle about 35 MPH the comsumer had a brake problem. When stepping on brake pedal, trying to stop the vehicle, it took long time to st0p, and when stopping the brakes grabbed on the disc. Also front brakes ulsated/replaced front brake rotors. In addition, replaced rear main seal and oil seal and retorqued all mounting nuts and bolts due to front suspension noise.
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 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the suspension of the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 17% of the model year's 159 complaints. The component named most often is front › control arm › lower ball joint (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 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 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 120,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.