NHTSA Recall 00V421003: Suspension: lower ball joint
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN reported this safety recall to NHTSA on , covering an estimated 5,164 vehicles. It affects 3 models including the Mitsubishi Caribbean Eclipse.
| NHTSA campaign | 00V421003 |
|---|---|
| Component | SUSPENSION › FRONT › CONTROL ARM › LOWER BALL JOINT |
| Report received | April 6, 2001 |
| Owner notification | May 24, 2001 |
| Initiated by | NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation |
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.
Safety 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.
Notes
Owner notification began may 21, 2001.owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mitsubishi caribbean at 1-800-981-0452. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Vehicles covered by recall 00V421003
| Make and model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Caribbean Eclipse | 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 |
| Mitsubishi Caribbean Eclipse Spyder | 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 |
| Mitsubishi Caribbean Galant | 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 |
Being listed here means the campaign covers the model year, not that every car was built with the defect or is still unrepaired. Enter your VIN above to check your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free at authorised dealers. Source: NHTSA, October 2026.