The contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT. The contact stated that the rims were bending abnormally and causing the steering wheel to shake excessively. The rims were replaced four times to no avail. The contact informed the manufacturer but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was 116,000 and the failure mileage was unknown. Updated 05/03/11

- Concord, NH, USA

Third time wheels have failed causing rapid deflation of tire and subsequent control of the car. Tire sustains no damage, but lip on rim gets bent back releasing air. Rims are too soft, or the car needs a higher profile rim and tire. Damage always occurs on front wheels due to extra weight of engine, etc. On front end. At age 62, I've owned a number of cars with alloy wheels and caught a pothole or two, but never had a wheel failure.

- Millstone Twp, NJ, USA

I just purchased a 2002 Eclipse from a small dealer. Before I had purchased the car, they put 2 brand new tires on the front. The night I picked up the car, I had to travel on a few highways to get home. As I was getting back on the highway, I traveled over a rough spot in the road, but I only felt the left side going over it. A little while went by and as I was driving on the highway, I noticed that the steering wheel was pulling to one side. I knew something wasn't right because I specifically remembered how straight the steering was when I picked up the car 25 min earlier. The wheel started vibrating and I slowed up, and looked for a service area, when I pulled off I looked at the drivers side tire and saw it was flat.... then I went to check the other front and it was flat too!!!these were definitely brand new. I could understand the left tire going flat because I went down in the dip, but not the passenger side.. how could 2 brand new tires go flat at the same time"? I didn't know what to do so I called 911, a police man came out and he had a tow truck come out and fill up the tires. I then followed him to their garage. The tires held the air, but I was not convinced they would hold. So the dealer towed the car back to their shop the next morning and thoroughly checked it over. They drove 50 miles on the highway. The tires were fine... they didn't know what caused the flat tires. And still don't! so after reading the other Mitsubishi reports with similar incidents and even blowouts I'm convinced that this car has defective rims and that they must bend causing them to deflate the tires. To prevent this from happening again, I am purchasing after market rims to be sure I am safe! the rims are stock rims made by Mitsubishi! doesn't Mitsubishi care about safety??" someone needs to research these reports, recall these rims or replace them before someone gets killed!!!!

- Middletown, CT, USA

Front drivers side aluminuim alloy rim cracked

- Hedgesville, WV, USA

Under normal driving conditions, I hit a small pothole while changing lanes while heading to the Mitsubishi dealership (where I used to work) and lost control of my 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT. Upon changing my tire, my rim was bent so severely that I had a hard time getting the lug nuts off of the vehicle. Over 2 inches the rim dented in. Now, 2 weeks later, I noticed a problem in the front left end, that rim is dented severly in two places, not just one. I am going to have to replace that rim as well. To top everthing off, I also had to replace my tire because the first time I blew out the sidewall. This is over $1,000 in just wheel and tire damage. Also, during employment at the Mitsubishi dealership, I reported defect's with my wheels and it was not brought to the attention of the district service manager, bob desimone. I requested that they be replaced due to peeling paint and small rust marks on all 4 rims. I will be filing a report with Mitsubishi motors of North America today. I am 28 and have bought 3 new Mitsubishi's. at this point, never again.

- Webster, NY, USA

On 2 separate occasions the front passenger side rim bent, causing the tire to lose air and deflate rapidly. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and coasted it to a complete stop. The rim metal was flimsy and bend very easily. A stronger metal was needed. Both rims were pounded out using homemade tool. Consumer did not replace rims because Mitsubishi has not changed to a harder material.

- Jackson, NJ, USA

During cold weather the rims are causing the front/rear tires to lose air. Investigation ea02A007. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Madison Heights, MI, USA

While driving 30 mph, the vehicle jerked and vibrated uncontrollably. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the consumer that the rear right and front right rims needed to be replaced. The front right rim was cracked and bent and the rear right was bent.

- Johnstown, NY, USA

Hit a small pot hole in may of 2003, rim dented immediately. I was traveling about 48 mph when I hit it. Hit a small indenture in the road in may of 2004 and it bent another rim. Traveling at about 32 mph. Rims are too soft!!! had both rims replaced-- out of my own pocket.

- Mcclure, OH, USA

While driving on normal condition at city speed front right tire blewout. Six months previous to this incident, dealership indicated to the consumer the rim was bent but would not cause the tire to blowout. Subsequently, on two different occasions two more rims bent. Each rim will cost $300 at consumer's expense. The dealer refused to replace any of the rims at their expense.

- Leawood, KS, USA

Drove over pothole in road. This dented and created crack in rim, which led to a slow leak from wheel. Need a new wheel rim for replacement. A rim should not crack this easily. A certain amount of durability should be expected from parts of the car and this is plainly not acceptable.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

While driving 30 mph consumer drove into a pot hole which caused all four rims to bend. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to resolve the problem. When the rims bent the tires deflated.

- Copiague, NY, USA

When driving over an imperfection in the road (about 1 1/2 inches in depth) the right rim bent.

- Fairfax Station, VA, USA

Repeated rim damage that results in flat tires due the inferior rims on the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse I have asked Mitsubishi about the rims and they say there is not a problem. I have seen read of a class action suit specifically as a result of problems with the rims.

- Islip Terrace, NY, USA

Cracked rim.

- Weeki Wachee, FL, USA

Front passenger side rim cracked. Consumer was concerned that the wheel would come off while driving.

- Seminole, OK, USA

Wheel rims on 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT have bent on two occasions and had to replace them. The rims bent under normal driving conditions.

- Brewster, NY, USA

I almost lost control of the car when the rim bent and expelled all air out of the tire, but at 35 mph I was able to maintain control, this can be a serious hazard, and if injury or even death occurs to any one, lawsuits will most likely be in order. ***dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12-12-02 cut over to artemis*761599

- Greenwood, AZ, USA

Rims bent at speed of 50 mph causing loss of control. **dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**770826

- Eglin Afb, FL, USA

Eclipse GT, left rear tire blewout from rim and rim bent. Consumer feels that these rims should not bend from a blowout.

- Lido Beach, NY, USA