1997 Mitsubishi Caribbean Eclipse Spyder

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.

Risk. 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.

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL."THE CONVERTIBLE TOP LITERALLY LEAKS SO BAD THAT THE WHOLE INTERIOR IS MOLDY. THERE IS A "LAKE" IN THE TRUNK UNDER THE SPARE TIRE. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, THE TOP WILL BECOME UNLOCKED AND FLY UP. THE SUPPORT BARS ARE BENT AND THE STRAPS ARE JUST HANGING. THE TOP DOES GO UP AND DOWN, BUT VERY SLOWLY AND NOT STRAIGHT. I HAVE TO ADJUST THE TOP AS IT IS GOING UP AND DOWN. MITSUBISHI HAS LOOKED AT THE CAR AND SAID THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CONVERTIBLE TOP. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT AND I AM BEGINNING TO FEEL VERY UNSAFE IN MY CAR. THE TOP HAS GOTTEN SO UNSTABLE THAT I CAN'T GO OVER 60 MPH. OR I CAN HEAR THE LOCKS LOOSENING UP AND WIND STARTS TO COME IN TO THE CAR NEAR THE LOCKS. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME IN MY BATTLE TO DRIVE A SAFE CAR. I ALSO HURT MY SHOULDER WHEN I CAUGHT THE TOP WHEN IT FLEW UP THE FIRST TIME. I HAVE ALL THE DOCTOR RECORDS AND PHYSICAL THERAPY RECORDS." *NM

THE CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. SHE HIT A PARKED POLICE CAR AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *JB NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *SC