Wheel Rim problems of the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse - part 2

Since I purchased the Eclipse in June of 2002, I have been plagued with deflating tires and flats. No one had diagnosed the problem until 9/16/2002 when I suffered another flat. The previous Friday I had stopped to have air pressure checked and was told the pressure was fine. However, on the morning of 9/16/2002 I suffered another flat tire. This time the tire shop recognized that three of four rims were bent. I went to Mitsubishi, sterling va, to purchase a rim. Upon return to the tire store with the rim, they inspected all rims and said that two others were bent. I ended up replacing all four tires (over $800) and one rim. On 9/17/2002 I called Mitsubishi in California and was told there was a known problem with the 17" alloy wheels but no recall. My concerns about safety and nagging low tire pressure was recognized. However, I was told to have my rims inspected by a Mitsubishi dealer and hope the district manager would work with me. I feel that if the company knows there is a problem they should take immediate steps to make all affected vehicles safe without being told by NHTSA to do a recall. I would like all my rims replaced by the company as well as to be reimbursed for the cost of the new tires.

Driving my 2000 mitsubushi Eclipse gt with stock 17" rims and tires, I hit a relatively mild pothole which bent the rim. The rim was so badly damaged that it required replacement at my expense. The pothole was located in san juan capistrano, CA on the northbound i5 onramp from camino las ramblas. I have a picture of the rim in electronic format.

All four wheel rims became bent under normal driving conditions. This caused the rims to separate from the tires, resulting in flat tires. On one occasion, the air loss was rapid and I lost control of the car and nearly crashed. Dealer said that I was responsible for the cost to replace the wheels. These defective wheels are a safety hazard to me as well as to other drivers. I presently only drive this car over short distances and I never drive with passengers in the car because of safety concerns. Hopefully these defective wheels can be replaced before there are any serious injuries or fatalities.

Front right tires were vibrating. Had them checked, it was as a result of rim bending. Contacted dealer. Jlg.

The right front rim is bent, material used is too soft of a metal. .

After consumer had a flat tire she took vehicle to have the tire repaired, and found that 2 of rims were bent. Vehicle has not hit anything, right front and driver side back were bent. Consumer was told that NHTSA is investigating this problem.

I was driving on the interstate and hit a pothole, my rim was dented pretty good. Doesn't make sense that hitting a pothole would cause so much damage.

My 6 spoke Mitsubishi rims are dented from normal driving in the city. They became dented when I had hit mnor potholes going at 20mph or slower. I have talked to the Mitsubishi hotline and they said they could be replaced but for $250. I dont believe I should pay thisas I believe it is a major manufacturers defect. Thank you for all your help and assistance.

Rims are made of too soft material, bend easily, causing tires to loose air.

Consumer states while driving vehicle without warning and at any speed, vehicle will shake, mechanic states all four rims are dented resulting in vehicle shaking. Consumer states this also causes the steering to shake. Dealer had to secure clamp due to vehicle losing antifreeze. Brake light illuminated, dealer replaced front brake pads. Sunroof would not tilt, dealer reset the sunroof glass.

Rims will easliy bend. Also, when consumer is driving at high speeds, tires will start to wobble. Contacted dealer. Mitsubishi dealer denies claim.

Four separate times I had to send the damaged rims out to be repaired from hitting minor potholes. Each time costing $12o. Twice the tire went totally flat at highway speeds,causing the car to veer out of control. But nobody was hurt. I have read nothing but complaints about these rims,and every mitusubishi Eclipse I see on the street have rims that are destroyed. I pay over $350 a month to lease this car and I do not feel safe driving it both on the highway and normal side streets. I also know that there is a class action law suit against Mitsubishi for this very reason, and I cannot beleive that these rims have not been recalled yet. The service dept. At white plains Mitsubishi seems to think that this is my fault, but I dont see any other cars on the street whose rims are consistantly damaged. It,s almost embarrasing for Mitsubishi, to have so many damaged vehicles in public with ther name on it. Please let me know what I can do to solve this problem. Thank you, stephen r. Weir. (tiresize: 215/50/vr1).

Consumer states when vehicle hits the sligtest bumb the rims will bend, rims have been replaced 5 times. Contacted dealer.

My rims are two-piece and have had 3 bent rims and 3 blowouts due to these rims. This is compounded by the fact that the gt tires are low-profile. These rims are easily dented, the clear coating peeled off after a short period of time. I have all the documentation and have had meetings with jeff ney at max madsen. I have pictures of all bent rims that I can fax or e-mail to you as well.

Both failures were the aluminum alloy 10 spoke 17" rims equipped on the 2000 Eclipse gt premium package. The rims were bent on two separate occasions. Between each incident, I had my tires rotated. Since both incidents happened to the rim on the front right side, both of my rims on the right side of my car have been dented. The 1st incident occurred while pulling in to a parking space on a residential street with normal road conditions (regular pot holes). Speed was less than 5 miles per hour. The 2nd incident occurred on a city street with normal road conditions (regular pot holes). Rim was bent while slowly stopping for a red light. Speed was less than 5 miles per hour. Nlm.

Aluminium rims are bent, causing the tires to go flat. Front right tire went flat while parked. The consumer stated that the front tire went flat while driving.

Both left rims bent, no tire damage. Small pothole at 10th&west peachtree in atlanta on far side of intersdection. Pulling slowly away from red light. Impact did not feel severe. Bending is minor. No air leakage. Slight vibration from loss of balance. No change in alignment.

Have to inflate dented rims at least once a week. Cannot hold proper pressure. Hitting small potholes dented 2 rims in 2 places while driving less than 10 mph.

Rims are bent due to material being too soft, tires do not keep air pressure.

On my 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse gt, all four 17" rims became bent. This created bubbling in tires, improper tire wear, and difficulty in wheel alignment. Rims were bent during normal driving; potholes were not cause of damage. Replaced tires and rims. Manufacturer has not done anything to remedy problem in existing vehicles. New vehicles no longer come with this type of rim.

A two piece rim was damaged while driving over a bump and was repaired. Also, the rim clear coat was coming off.

Upon complaints from other Eclipse owners about bent rims; I noticed that my front right rim is also bent in 2 places. Now I'm concerned about my safety.

3 rims have bent on this car. I have replaced 1, but the other 2 were bent without hitting anything major.

Two front rims replaced.

During normal road driving in speeds under 40 mph, my car rims have bent on two separate occasions. I have heard from other 2000 Eclipse owners who have experienced the same problem: rims are bending too easily under normal road useage during lower speeds.

I have 2 complaints. My wheels were also dented and fractured upon inspection and had visible wear to my tires. Two different garages had stated to go to the dealer and check on it. They of course said there was no problem and just to buy new rims at $385. 00 each or tires. Of course, after buying tires a few times, I just bought after market rims. The second complaint, is I have had visible corrosion on the battery cables on my car for years and asked the dealer if there was a reason so much is gathering, they advised no. Well, I have replaced the battery and still am having the same problems such air conditioner goes out with the light blinking, car does not start, or while driving it will stall as well as run very sluggish. I have asked repeatedly if there is a problem and they stated not for my car, due to the date made. I find this a little odd, I have all the same problems of the 2000 Eclipse, however, my car was made "during the dates". My car is a 2000 Eclipse gt and my battery wires have shown visible signs of corrosion for years and not being a mechanic how would I have though anything different than changing the battery, as well as getting new tires and new after market rims for the same price as stock rims.

While driving under normal conditions, front rims have bent without striking any objects in the road, the rim failures were so severe that they could not be repaired, two of the rims also caused damage to two of the tires and they also had to be replaced.

Two tires on two different occasions had blown out, and rims had to be replaced. Unable to drive vehicle over bumpy roads while other vehicles could be driven without a problem. Technician at dealer told consumer that rims were low profile, and low in quality. Had to pay for other rims.

While driving over a pothole right front tire blewout and rim bent, showing low quality of the rim. Currently, wheel had to be replaced.

2000 mitsbubishi Eclipse. Factory rims bent repeatedly and for no obvious apparent reason causing tires to rapidly depressurize. This occurred on several occasions to multiple rims. Most notable occurence was on interstate 95 when tire depressurized and came off rim - highly dangerous as I was travelling approximately 55 mph. Forced to repair rim and replace tire.

On four separate occasions, while driving at low speed or at highway speed, the front and rear right tires loses air and the left front rim was bent. There were no obvious damage to tire and rims. Dealer found a chunk of beads on the rear right tire and the left front tire was out of round. The right rear tire and wheel was replaced.

Bent wheel rims replaced six times on various location between front and rear. Dealer was notified. Feel free to provide any further information.

When the vehicle hits a minor bump on road rims would bent. Rims have been replaced 4 different times. Please add additional information.

I have had four incidents of the rims bending during normal driving conditions, including two blowouts of the front tires at highway speeds as a result of the rims being bent out of shape. I produced four receipts of the repairs which I payed for to the dealer in mid January. They had a district regional manager look at my case and then declined to reimburse me for the damage,I do know that there is a class action law suit in progress for this very reason and I still have yet to receive my original receipts as well as a copy of the report that was declined by the dealer. I was told numerous times by the service manager that the papers would be mailed to me but that was over four weeks ago, and now they are lost in the mail. I would like an explanation of why a safety concern such as this can just be dismissed with no reason when hundreds if not thousands of people are having the same problem please get back to me on this matter, thank you ,stephen weir.

Since the first day I had them, there was just one dent on one of the front rims. The dealer was so nice (sarcasm) and advised me to get new ones. . . I then advised that they were new, since I had just purchased the car. Since then, I replaced one rim and have now 3 dented rims with multiple dents on each rim. As of now there is a class action law suit against Mitsubishi pending. I do love my car, and I do love Mitsubishi. However, I don't appreciate the crappy wheels that I have on a car that I am paying so much money for. I want my rims replaced or at least reimbursed cash for the amount of damage. I was told that my rims are worth about $395 per rim. That means that total cost to replace is $1185 for my car to drive normally again. Right now I'm very careful when I take the car out, since at speeds of 60 mph or higher, the whole steering colomn will vibrate like it's going to fall off. I've already had my tires rotated and balanced and of course it didn't help that much since the wheels are dented which means when they turn the wheels bounce. Now multiply that by 3. My car shakes a lot. Like I said earlier, I love my car, I love Mitsubishi, but, they need to acknowlege that there is a problem and fix it. I'm not the only one that has this problem. Mitsubishi needs to fix this.