Investigations
BALL JOINT
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE99008 — closed, opened 1999-02-01 and involving the MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER.
NHTSA investigation PE99008 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 1999-02-01 and currently closed. The subject of record is MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for MITSUBISHI. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 1999-04-13 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE99008 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "ON FEBRUARY 1, 1999, BASED ON EIGHT CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, ODI OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION. THE INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON 1995 AVENGER, SEBRING, AND TALON VEHICLES. DURING THE INVESTIGATION DAIMLERCHRYSLER AND MIT..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related MITSUBISHI files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
ON FEBRUARY 1, 1999, BASED ON EIGHT CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, ODI OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION. THE INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON 1995 AVENGER, SEBRING, AND TALON VEHICLES. DURING THE INVESTIGATION DAIMLERCHRYSLER AND MITSUBISHI EXPANDED THEIR STUDY TO INCLUDE THE GALANT AND ECLIPSE SPYDER MODELS. ON APRIL 5, 1999, MITSUBISHI MOTOR MANUFACTURING OF AMERICA SUBMITTED A SAFETY DEFECT REPORT (COPY ENCLOSED). MITSUBISHI MOTOR SALES OF AMERICA AND DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONDUCTING THE ACTION. THE VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE IF THE RUBBER BOOT ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT IS DAMGED. A DAMAGE BOOT WILL ALLOW DIRT AND WATER INTRUSION, CAUSING EXTRAORDIARY WEAR ON THE BALL JOINT. THIS CAN RESULT IN A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. DAMAGED UNITS WILL HAVE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM AND BALL JOINT REPLACED. VEHICLES POTENTIALLY CONTAINING THE DEFECT: DAIMLERCHRYSLER TALON 1995-1996 AVENGER 1995-1996 SEBRING 1995-1996 MITSUBISHI GALANT 1994-1996 ECLIPSE 1995-1996 ECLLIPSE SPYDER 1996
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Other MITSUBISHI Investigations
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
Extended Stopping Distance
Clutch Interlock Switch Malfunction
GASOLINE LEAKS
PASSENGER DOOR FIRE
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.