Consumer states that while driving at any speed and no warning the front ball joint are worn and the consumer can hear a loud popping noise. Dealer notified.

- Freeport, FL, USA

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. Ball joints just don't break from normal driving. There was 17,000 miles put on since they check it. To say that it broke because of normal wear and tear is ridiculous. Ball joints just to break with only 17,000 miles on them. There is a flaw, or bad design with their ball joint. This needs to be investigated, and they should be responsible for their design of the ball joints. Numerous other makes and models of cars' ball joints don't break in 4 years after it was made. Please advise me as to what I should do. Thank you.

- Paramount, CA, USA

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. Please inform me of how I can hold Mitsubishi accountable for a defective product which could impact my safety. Thank you. Christine hansen.

- San Marcos, CA, USA

Vehicle was taken in for repair, prior to recall notice (mfr sr-99-002). The vehicle was not affected by the recall so no repairs were done. However, after leaving the dealership, the tire was seperated from the vehicle & the ball joints collapsed causing failure.

- Anniston, AL, USA