1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 27about this part
- Share
- 17%of 159 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 120,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the suspension of the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 17% of the 159 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10220327, filed 2008-03, 261,362 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10053105, filed 2004-01, 104,020 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10061252, filed 2004-03, 140,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10130753, filed 2005-08, 120,000 miles“While driving the vehicle the the ball joint slipped out. This caused the drivers side tire to fall off and the vehicle fell to the ground on the drivers side.”
NHTSA complaint #10066667, filed 2004-04, 120,000 milesRelated recalls
- 00V421001Dec 18, 2000Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the rubber boots on the lower lateral arm ball joints of the front suspension were damaged during assembly, dirt…Covers: Mitsubishi Eclipse 1995–1999, Galant 1994–1998, Eclipse Spyder 1997–1999 +1 more
- 99V066001Apr 5, 1999Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the rubber boots on the lower lateral arm ball joints of the front suspension were damaged during assembly, dirt…Covers: Mitsubishi Eclipse 1995–1996, Galant 1994–1996, Spyder 1996
Related service bulletins
- 10170071Jul 22, 2015This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170086Nov 1, 2012This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | 13% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2003 | 2 | 2% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 7 | 3% |
| 2000 | 11 | 4% |
| 1999 | 12 | 10% |
| 1998 | 12 | 9% |
| 1997 | 16 | 12% |
| 1996 | 27 | 17% |
| 1995 | 47 | 15% |
| 1994 | 4 | 12% |
| 1992 | 2 | 4% |
| 1991 | 6 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse
26 complaintsEngine cooling
26 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsTires
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsWheels
6 complaintsEquipment
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology