sorta noob question

i know this is sort of a nooby question but i seriously have no idea on the recall stuff how do i know if my car is affected or if the parts have been replace or if it was affected by the recalls at all.
96 RS eclipse.
Thanks guys or gals.
Nick

There's one recall that is very important.  The balljoint recall.  If this balljoint fails on you, your car may be sitting on it's wheel or you could have a wheel break free and cause you to wreck.

quote:

1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE Recall ID from NHTSA: 00V421001 Auto Recall Date: 20001218
Vehicle Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
Estimated Vehicles Affected: 567432
1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE. ALSO, MMC HAS ADDED THE POTENTIAL OF LEAKING MOISTURE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BALL STUD TO CORRODE.
Defect Consequence:
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERCEDES MMC'S PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN, SEE 99V-066.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT FOR WEAR. BALL JOINTS THAT EXHIBIT WEAR BEYOND THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY DESIGNED LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS. BALL JOINTS THAT ARE WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE CLEANED AND A SPECIAL SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF MOISTURE.
Notes: MITSUBISHI AMERICA,

Here's a list of recalls for the 97 model.  They are pretty much the same for all the 2Gs for any trim though .
http://automallusa.net/1997/mitsubishi/eclipse/recalls.html

I found a pic of what can happen if the ball joint seperates on you...


Granted, it's a Fiat, but you get the picture (no pun intended...man, I keep doing this, lol).

the way you find out is by going to the dealer and giving them your VIN #, they will be able to tell you which recalls were taken care of. And there is a link at the top of the page that gives recalls for all model mitsu's