Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc. Expands Recall to Inspect For Premature Ball Joint Wear

    CYPRESS, Calif., Feb. 15 Mitsubishi Motor Sales of
America, Inc. has announced it will expand a previous voluntary safety recall
campaign to inspect for premature wear of lower lateral arm ball joints.
    The recall affects approximately 567,000 Mitsubishi Motors vehicles,
including the 1994 to 1998 model year Galant; the 1995 to 1999 model year
Eclipse; and the 1996 to 1999 model year Eclipse Spyder.
    This voluntary safety recall is being conducted in cooperation with the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  It is a followup to a
previous recall announced in 1999, after Mitsubishi Motors learned that rubber
boots covering the ball joints may have been cut or damaged -- which could
allow moisture to enter the ball joint, causing premature wear.
    The initial recall focused on torn or damaged boots, but some ball joints
that passed inspection later were found to still be vulnerable to moisture.
Since then, Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America has worked closely with NHTSA to
assess the problem and determine the appropriate remedy.  In North America,
MMSA has systems in place under NHTSA guidelines to track customer and dealer
complaints regarding safety issues, and take appropriate action.
    Owners of the recalled vehicles will be contacted beginning in April, and
asked to bring their vehicles in for inspection and repair at no cost.
    The remedy will include inspection of the lower lateral arm ball joint to
determine whether there is premature wear. In cases of premature wear, the
ball joint will be replaced.  Those that do not show such wear will be cleaned
and sealed to prevent potential intrusion of moisture.
    Older vehicles with high mileage are more likely to experience premature
ball joint wear.  In extreme circumstances, the ball joint could separate and
lead to loss of steering control.  Mitsubishi Motors is not aware of any
fatalities or major injuries caused by the issues raised in this recall.
    Owners of all affected vehicles, including those that were inspected in
the earlier recall, will be notified beginning in April about when to bring
their cars in for inspection.  Customers who have questions or concerns prior
to receiving notification may contact their local Mitsubishi dealer or call
Mitsubishi Motors' customer service line at 1-888-MITSU-2001.
    The recall also affects approximately 394,000 Chrysler, Dodge and Eagle
vehicles assembled by Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America, including the
1995 to 1999 model year Chrysler Sebring; the 1995 to 1999 model year Dodge
Avenger; and the 1995 to 1999 model year Eagle Talon.  For questions related
to Chrysler Group products, customers may call Chrysler's customer service
line at 1-800-992-1997.