NHTSA Complaint #10113967 — 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE

DRIVING HOME AT APPROXIMATLY 9:00PM EST GOING 40 MPH ON ROUTE 611 NORTH AROUND WARRINGTON, PA IN THE RAIN. HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE OF THE CAR (REALLY LOUD). I ASSUME THAT I HAD HIT A POT HOLE AND WAS NOT IMMEDIALTY CONCERNED UNTIL I HEARD A WEIRD FLAPPING NOISE. I PULLED INTO A SAFE LOCATION TO CHECK OUT THE TIRE AND WHEEL AND THE WHEEL WAS HEAVILY DENTED. THE TIRE HAD LOST ALL AIR, BUT WAS NOT TORN UP. AFTER PUTTING ON THE SPARE I CHECKED THE WHEEL USING A FLASHLIGHT AND NOTICED THAT THE WHEEL WAS CRACKED. I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE 17" ALLOY WHEEL AT COST OF $350. I HAVE HAD OTHER ALLOY WHEELS THAT HAVE STOOD UP TO POT HOLES BEFORE. I HAVE READ ALL PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS, AS WELL AS, THE REPORT FINALIZATION BY NHTSA. I AM LUCKY THAT IN THE RAIN I DIDN'T LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND BE PART OF/CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I AM A LITTLE CONCERNED AS TO THE STRUCTURE AND SECURITY OF THESE RIMS FOR THE FUTURE. IF THIS HAPPEND AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 40 MPH, WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE RAMIFICATIONS AT 55/60MPH ON A HIGHWAY? CURRENTLY, I STILL HAVE THE CRACKED WHEEL IN MY POSSESSION. I AM PLANNING TO PURCHASE ANOTHER WHEEL TOMORROW MARCH 12, 2005.*AK