ON JAN. 9, 2013, WHILE I WAS BACKING UP MY MITSUBISHI GALANT 1998 (VIN # [XXX]) IN MY DRIVEWAY, I NOTICED THAT THE CAR STARTED MOVING ON ITS OWN AND I HAD TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. AFTER BACKING UP, WHEN I DROVE FORWARD, MY CAR SEEMED TO BE QUITE JUMPY AND WANTED TO LURCH FORWARDS. AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ABOUT HALF A MILE FROM H…
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ON JAN. 9, 2013, WHILE I WAS BACKING UP MY MITSUBISHI GALANT 1998 (VIN # [XXX]) IN MY DRIVEWAY, I NOTICED THAT THE CAR STARTED MOVING ON ITS OWN AND I HAD TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. AFTER BACKING UP, WHEN I DROVE FORWARD, MY CAR SEEMED TO BE QUITE JUMPY AND WANTED TO LURCH FORWARDS. AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ABOUT HALF A MILE FROM HOME, WHILE I WAS STOPPED, I NOTICED THAT THE CAR STARTED MOVING FORWARDS. I IMMEDIATELY SLAMMED HARD ON THE BRAKE. THIS WAS EXTREMELY UNUSUAL AND SCARY. LATER WHILE GOING DOWN A HILL, I COULD SENSE THAT THE CAR WAS AGAIN QUITE JUMPY AND WANTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. I STOPPED AT A SHOP FOR SOMETHING AND THEN WHEN I GOT BACK TO THE CAR AND TURNED ON THE ENGINE AGAIN, I NOTICED THAT THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT HAD JUST COME ON. I FELT THAT THE CAR WAS NOT SAFE AND HAD IT TOWED TO KLAHANIE CHEVRON IN ISSAQUAH, WA, VERY CLOSE TO MY HOUSE. I WAS LATER INFORMED BY THEM THAT THE ??IDLE CONTROL MOTOR?? FOR MY CAR WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND DUE TO THIS I WAS EXPERIENCING ALL THESE CAR ??JUMPINESS?? ISSUES. THE ??IDLE CONTROL MOTOR?? WAS REPLACED AND NOW THE CAR APPEARS TO BE RUNNING FINE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MORE THAN UP TO DATE WITH MY CAR MAINTENANCE. THE BEHAVIOR OF THIS CAR IN WHICH THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN IS DANGEROUS AND MITSUBISHI ENGINEERS SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS FOR POSSIBLE RECALL\REMEDIATION, SINCE THIS CAN GREATLY ENDANGER THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IN THE CAR AND ANYBODY ELSE SHARING THE ROAD AT THAT TIME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
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No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1998 Mitsubishi Galant Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year