1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Routine

Owners filed 34 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission4
000
Suspension › Front3
100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components3
000
Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly2
100
Seat Belts › Rear/Other2
101
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine2
000
Electrical System › Ignition2
101
Wheels › Rim1
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission98V069001
Filed Mar 26, 199824,275 vehiclesMitsubishi America

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ADEQUACY OF THE TRANSFER CASE OIL VOLUME, TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AND OPERATIONAL DEGRADATION OF THE TRANSFER CASE MECHANISM. IF OIL VOLUME IS INSUFFICIENT, THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF OIL WILL BE ADDED. IF THERE IS TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE TRANSFER CASE SHOWS OPERATIONAL DEGRADATION, THE TRANSFER CASE WILL BE REPLACED.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hatchback/Liftgate › LockCrash3 injured
Filed Apr 26, 200715,500 milesTX

DAY TIME APPX. 60-80 MI. FROM EL PASO, TX , LIC. DRIVER DRIVING APPX. 70 MI. P/HR (80 MI. DAY IS SPEED LIMIT) JUST BEFORE CHK. POINT SIERRA BLANCA, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIEROD BREAKS CAUSING A MAJOR 1 CAR ROLLOVER INJURING 3 PEOPLE (1 W/MINOR INJURIES, 1 SERIOUS INJURIES, 1 CRITICAL INJURY). 1994 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GS TOTALED. 2 OF INJURED REQUIRING CONTINUED MEDICAL CARE. HATCHBACK CAME UP, SHATTERED GLASS IN HATCH AND SIDE PANELS. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control › Linkages
Filed Aug 14, 2001NH

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Aug 14, 2001NH

VEHICLE LOST ALL BRAKING POWE R WHILE ATTEMPTING A GRADUAL STOP ON DRY ROAD CONDITIONS. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Seat Belts
Filed May 29, 2001CT

DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC RESTRAINT BELT IS INOPERABLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK *SLC

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 27, 2001IA

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 83,000 UNDER NORMAL USE. THIS CAR WAS NOT IN THE RECALL BUT I BELIEVE IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Mar 5, 2001CA

AFTER PURCHASED THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE BURNED 1/2 QUART OF OIL PER 1000 MILES, NOW THE VEHICLE BURNS MORE THAN 1/2 QUART PER 1000 MILES AND THE CONSUMER IS NOW ADDING 1 QUART OF OIL ALMOST EVERY WEEK, THE DEALER REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. NLM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 25, 2000OH

I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR AND DROVE IT ABOUT A WEEK AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON ME NOW I'M STUCK WITH A LEMON AND NO ONE WANT'S TO FIX IT. TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOMEONE LIKE THIS SHOULD NEVER CROSS ANYONE'S MIND. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME IN THIS MATTER THANK YOU, DALE LYNNE HARTSHORNE

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift
Filed Oct 2, 2000GA

TRANSFER CASE YOKE IS LEAKING FLUID. CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 23, 2000LA

VEHICLE DISPLAYED A LOUND CLUNKING NOISE AND SMOKE WAS COMING FORM ENGINE. UPON INSPECTION BY THE DEALER CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT CRANKSHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES WERE THER PROBLEM AND WERE REPLACED. *YH

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Aug 14, 2000FL

5-SPEED MANUAL- ENGINE SHUTSDOWN WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 15, 2000FL

TRANSMISSION WAS STICKING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE . ALSO, AIR CONDITIONER MADE A HUMMING SOUND WHEN TURNED ON. SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM 20 MPHS TO 140 MHS AND IT BROKE, AND THE NEEDLE CAME OUT THROUGH THE DASHBOARD. *AK

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Feb 23, 2000IL

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER-SIDE DOORS ACTIVATED SWITCH FAILED CAUSED A SHORT-CIRTUIT AND DRAINED THE BATTERY EACH TIME I CAME TO A STOP. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PART FAILURE PROBLEM (BOTH SWITCHES IN A 6 YEAR OLD CAR!) AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING IT. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 29, 1999MA

TRANSMISSION GEARS WERE SLIPPING. ALSO, ENGINE DIED WHILE DRIVING DUE TO DEFCTIV ETIMING BELT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIMING BELT NEEDED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Sep 28, 1999NY

OIL PRESSURE FAILS TO REGISTER ABOVE 25% WHEN IN IDLE. DEALER NOTES THAT ENGINE IS BASICALLY A THROWAWAY. THEY QUOTED APPROXIMATELY $3,600.00 FOR FULL REPLACEMENT. IT IS NOT IN THEIR BEST INTEREST TO REBUILD UNIT AS COST WOULD BE MUCH TO HIGH TO JUSTIFY TO THE CUSTOMER. THEY STATED THAT MANY OTHER VEHICLES HAVE RUN INTO THE SAME ISSUE.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Mar 12, 1999KY

DEFECTIVE HOOD LATCHES (PRIMARY AND SECONDARY) BROKE, CAUSING THE HOOD TO FLY UP 2 TIMES, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Jan 9, 1999NH

AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR, TURNED OUT IT HAD BEGUN LEAKING. ALSO, THE DEALER HAD TOLD US (AND THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES) THAT WE HAD THE NEW FREON-FREE SYSTEM WHEN IN REALITY WE DO NOT. WE WILL HAVE TO CONVERT IT AT OUR EXPENSE IF WE CHOOSE TO. SEAT BELTS ARE NOT RETRACTING CONSISTENTLY, OFTEN STOP MIDRAIL OR DO NOT BEGIN TO RETRACT AT ALL. THIS OCCURRED ONCE RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DEALER'S SERVICE TECH AND HE DENIES IT. HE TELLS MITSUBISHI THAT THE SYSTEM IS WORKING CORRECTLY. HEATER/DEFROSTER AND TEMPERATURE NEEDLE COINCIDE. WE NOTICED THAT THE NEEDLE SUDDENLY STAYED IN THE EXTREME COLD RANGE ON THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE AND THE HEATER IS BLOWING LUKEWARM/COOL AIR. DEALER SAYS IT'S FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND IT'S JUST BECAUSE IT'S COLD OUT. HOWEVER, ON OUR INVOICE HE NOTES THAT THIS OCCURRED INSIDE THEIR 68 DEGREE GARAGE. NO REPAIR MADE.

Suspension › Front
Filed Jul 22, 1998DE

VEHICLE COMPLETELY CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO PRIOR INDICATION AT ALL, TRAVELING SPEED 60-65MPH. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK VEHICLE EXPERIENCES VIBRATION AND PULLS TO THE RIGHT. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING SHIFTING PROBLEMS. A/C WAS BLOWING HOT AIR, DEALER REPLACED A/C LINES AND COMPRESSOR. BANGING AND CLANKING NOISES FROM VALVE COVER AREA, DEALER DIAGNOSED AS AN INTERNAL ENGINE PROBLEM AND INSTALLED SHORT BLOCK AND REPLACED THE TIMING BELT. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE IACS SOLENOID FOR THE STALLING PROBLEM, HOWEVER VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL. *SLC

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 28, 1998NY

TRANSMISSION FAILURE CAUSING STALLING.

Power Train
Filed Apr 23, 1998CT

ODOMETER FRAUD.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift
Filed Apr 14, 1998CA

TRANSFER CASE LEAKS AND WILL SEIZE UP, CAUSING ALL FOUR WHEELS TO LOCK UP, RESULTING IN LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF VEHICLE.

20 of 34 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20128000Routine
20111000Routine
20101000Routine
200942100Routine
200871100Routine
2007107411Fatalities reported
200699400Routine
20056420Routine
200414510Routine
2003124540Routine
200273440Routine
20012091062Fatalities reported
20003081064Fatalities reported
19991201130Routine
19981291350Routine
19971361261Fatalities reported
19961591150Routine
19953071292Fatalities reported
1994 — this page34410Routine
199336410Routine
199249311Fatalities reported
199154420Routine
199046700Routine

Compare every Eclipse year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.