VehicleVerdict

1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse suspension problems

The 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse has 30 suspension complaints filed with NHTSA — 14% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

30

Suspension complaints

14%

Share of year

4

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Suspension complaints by year

Eclipse suspension complaints by model year50 complaints1989: 1 complaints1991: 6 complaints1992: 2 complaints1994: 5 complaints1995: 50 complaints1996: 30 complaints1997: 19 complaints1998: 13 complaints1999: 12 complaints2000: 11 complaints2001: 7 complaints2002: 1 complaints2003: 2 complaints2006: 1 complaints2007: 1 complaints2008: 1 complaints2012: 1 complaints
Eclipse suspension complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

00V421001SuspensionDecember 18, 2000 · 567,432 units

Defect

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.

99V066001SuspensionApril 5, 1999 · 307,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

What owners report

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · February 13, 2003 · crash

Common questions

How many suspension complaints does the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse have?

NHTSA has 30 complaints about the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse suspension — 14% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse suspension?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the suspension: 00V421001, 99V066001.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.