NHTSA Campaign 00V421003

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

Issued by MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN · Reported Apr 6, 2001 · 5,164 vehicles affected

What's wrong

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.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERCEDES MMC'S PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN, SEE 99V-066.

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. BALL JOINTS THAT ARE WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE CLEANED AND A SPECIAL SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF MOISTURE.

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN ECLIPSE 1995 5,164
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN ECLIPSE 1996 5,164
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN ECLIPSE 1997 5,164
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN ECLIPSE 1998 5,164
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN ECLIPSE 1999 5,164
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN ECLIPSE SPYDER 1996 5,164
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN ECLIPSE SPYDER 1997 5,164
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN ECLIPSE SPYDER 1998 5,164
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN ECLIPSE SPYDER 1999 5,164
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN GALANT 1994 5,164
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN GALANT 1995 5,164
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN GALANT 1996 5,164
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN GALANT 1997 5,164
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN GALANT 1998 5,164

Source: NHTSA Campaign 00V421003 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.