Lateral Control Arm Recall Discussion

[Morphius]

In the case of the lateral arm, it's either free via the recall (which can never be denied) or it's a $30 piece.

It can be denied to be repaired free. Most people fail to read the NHTSA site in full. It's limited by the age of the vehicle.

http://www.nhtsa.com/portal/site/nht...wType=standard



Are there any limitations on my right to have a recalled vehicle remedied at no charge?

Yes. There is a limitation based on the age of the vehicle. In order to be eligible for a free remedy, the vehicle cannot be more than 10 years old on the date the defect or noncompliance is determined. Under the law, the age of the vehicle is calculated from the date of sale to the first purchaser. For example, if a defect is found in 2003 and a recall ordered, manufacturers are required to make the correction available at no charge only for vehicles purchased new in 1994 through 2003. However, consumers should realize that even though manufacturers are not obligated to remedy safety defects in older cars, a safety problem might still exist. If you receive notification of a defect on a vehicle older than 10 years, take the responsibility to have your car repaired at your own expense – and eliminate unnecessary safety risks.

Also, if the manufacturer challenges the agency's final decision of a safety defect, there is no obligation for the manufacturer to remedy the defect while the case is in court. If you decide to have your vehicle remedied at your own expense while the case is pending and the court upholds NHTSA's final decision, you may be entitled to reimbursement. (Be sure to save all receipts and paperwork so that you can prove the repairs were made.) However, if the court ultimately rules the defect is not safety related, Federal law does not require that the manufacturer reimburse you for the repair work

 

[EclipseTrbo420A]

I've never heard of anyone replacing either ball-joint. In the case of the lateral arm, it's either free via the recall (which can never be denied) or it's a $30 piece. In the case of the compression arm, I can't recall anyone ever saying they had one go bad.

Sorry to be unhelpful.

- Jtoby

Hey, where are you grabbing these for 30 bucks? Im going to do this just as a preventative measure. Let me know please thank you.

 

[jtmcinder]

It can be denied to be repaired free. Most people fail to read the NHTSA site in full. It's limited by the age of the vehicle.

http://www.nhtsa.com/portal/site/nht...wType=standard

Are there any limitations on my right to have a recalled vehicle remedied at no charge?

Yes. There is a limitation based on the age of the vehicle. In order to be eligible for a free remedy, the vehicle cannot be more than 10 years old on the date the defect or noncompliance is determined. Under the law, the age of the vehicle is calculated from the date of sale to the first purchaser. For example, if a defect is found in 2003 and a recall ordered, manufacturers are required to make the correction available at no charge only for vehicles purchased new in 1994 through 2003. However, consumers should realize that even though manufacturers are not obligated to remedy safety defects in older cars, a safety problem might still exist. If you receive notification of a defect on a vehicle older than 10 years, take the responsibility to have your car repaired at your own expense – and eliminate unnecessary safety risks.

Please tell me how many 2Gs were ten years old on Dec 18th, 2000. That is the number of cars that are not eligible for a free remedy.

- Jtoby

 

[Morphius]

Please tell me how many 2Gs were ten years old on Dec 18th, 2000. That is the number of cars that are not eligible for a free remedy.

- Jtoby

You missed my point.......... there is a limitation to the 'free remedy'. 30 years from now when they are 'classics', you won't be strolling into the Chrysler dealer for a free fix on your 30 yr old Talon.

And it's "no more than ten years" so I don't follow your point. So what there are no 2Gs 10 years old on Dec 18th, 2000.

 

[No_Skillz]

You missed my point.......... there is a limitation to the 'free remedy'. 30 years from now when they are 'classics', you won't be strolling into the Chrysler dealer for a free fix on your 30 yr old Talon.

And it's "no more than ten years" so I don't follow your point. So what there are no 2Gs 10 years old on Dec 18th, 2000.

It's 10 years from when a defect was found. Since all 2gs were 5 years old or less in 2000, when the defect was found, all 2gs are eligible for the free recall... even 30 years from now.

 

[jtmcinder]

You missed my point.......... there is a limitation to the 'free remedy'. 30 years from now when they are 'classics', you won't be strolling into the Chrysler dealer for a free fix on your 30 yr old Talon.

The only reasons I won't be strolling in for a free fix thirty years from now are (a) I'm trying to sell the car right now and (b) I can't imagine still being able to stroll when I'm 73. You have to remember all the chemicals I put through my system in the 1970s. A frequent first reaction of mine when I wake up in the morning is: wow, I'm alive.

And it's "no more than ten years" so I don't follow your point. So what there are no 2Gs 10 years old on Dec 18th, 2000.

As Mike already noted, the ten-year limit on the age of the car only applies at the moment that the recall is issued. (There's reading the NHTSA rules and then there is understanding them.) Since all 2G were under 10 when the last part of the recall was issued, which was Dec 18th, 2000, all 2Gs are covered. Forever.

- Jtoby

 

[PieEyedPiper]

While we're off topic, I must inquire, how is it possible that mitsu will deny replacement of said ball joint because it may have previously been inspected, thus rendering the recall complete?

I'm currently facing this and my ball joint has been making some pretty awful noises.

 

[jtmcinder]

There is only one way to deny free replacement of this part: blame you for the damage. For example, Mitsu might argue that your titanium shift-knob was the cause. At least, I wouldn't be surprised if they tried this.

- Jtoby

 

[Morphius]

OK. I agree, I made a mistake upon rereading what I posted. There was additional verbage on the site that talked more about the time frame, which is why I understood the limitation as X years. Note, however, what I posted isn't even on the site now so I can't even reference it. Oh, well. It's more condensed and concise.


So, then all 2gs are elgible. I agree to that.


However, the notion that a lifetime of free repair is merely a pipe dream. No where on the site does it say free lifetime replacement. (and what I mean on that is, you get it replaced more than once.)


I do believe that the OEM submits documentation showing compliance or correction to the issue. The ONLY way I could see that they would still honor the recall again is they choose not to correct it. Mearly continue to deal with the issue and just repair it becuase it's cheaper than redesigning/retooling the part. However, I question this becuase I think NHTSA could really throw the book at them if they continued to let the issue slide.


I'd suspect that some parts were revised to help correct the issue (or reduce) and that if they inspect your car and it doesn't have the condition, maybe it won't and it gets a clean bill of health. Others that are bad are changed with corrected parts. They may have provided documentation showing maintained vehicles won't show the issue. (ie.......... leaky tcase, however if the Main. schedules were followed, the tcase would have never reached a point that it would be empty and fail.... which could be possible.) or possibley it had to do with a processs issue and cars will exhibit the condition if XXXX is met. (example, a batch(s) of parts that had porosity in the material)


GM issued a recall on the key cylinder on my vette. New part installed that corrected it. Five, ten, 20 years from now, should the thing fail for some unknown reason, it's not still covered under the recall. I'm not sure where anyone is getting this notion of something recalled having lifetime repeated free repair.

 

[Locke]

A recall service is done once, to correct the issue.