Engine Belts And Pulleys problems of the 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage

Purchased 1999 Mirage from thompson Ford and was not notified that the vehicle was on a recall. Automobile was purchased in November 2000. Subsequently , pulley bolt completely broke and the entire pulley and belt fell out. This was the first incident, exact days unknown, however month and year are accurate. In April 2003, vehicle stopped. Was informed by thompson Ford that the vehicle wsa not under warranty only to find out approximately 10 days later that it was. Vehicle was taken to thompson Ford after another mechanic had serviced the vehicle and could not find the problem. Thompson Ford replaced the piston and this did not solve the problem. Vehicle was sent to a authorized dealer where they replaced a valve and sensor, however the vehicle still does not run. Failure of thompson Ford to notify me of the recall upon purchase could have resulted in a serious accident or death as at the time I purchased the vehicle I was commuting. I became aware of the recall in 2002 following the pulley bolt breaking and costing considerable monies for repairs.

Recall 00v311000/crankshaft pulley bolt: recall notice received and contacted marietta Mitsubishi in marietta, georgia; phone # 770/953-4660 for appointment. Dealer informed that consumer was responsible to pay for repairs, and be reimbursed through manufacturer. Asking NHTSA to look into this matter. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.

Engine was making a clicking noise. It sounded like timing belt was moving too fast for wheel. Dealer rebuilt engine first time, and it was back to making the same noise. Consumer was asking dealer for an appointment.

While holding brake pedal enigine suddenly accelerated into a pole. This has happened twice. Second time a garage door was hit. Air bags did not deploy in either incident. There was a recall ( 00v311001) for possible loose crank shaft pulley bolt and the dealer reinstalled it.

Consumer purchased vehicle one month after the recall regarding the crankshaft pulley bolts was distributed, 00v311001. Consumer received the recall notice almost a year later in August of 2002. In July the bolt broke in half and came out. As a result of the bolt breaking, damage was done to the head gasket. Consumer returned the vehicle to the dealer for repairs. The extended warranty would not cover the repairs. The bolt was not covered. The vehicle had a coolant leak. There was no power. The belt and the pulley were missing.

While driving driver suddenly lost all steering. Took vehicle to dealer, and dealer stated problem was related to the crankshaft pulley.