1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Routine

Owners filed 129 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the transmission. It has been recalled 13 times.

Not among the Mitsubishi Eclipse years to avoid. Which Mitsubishi Eclipse years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
71,000 milesMedian miles at failure

35 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.

Most common 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems

25 of the 129 complaints (19%) are about the transmission.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags14
14111
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine · engine9
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission8
000
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint6
000
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch · door locks and latches6
000
Tires5
100
Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive) · transmission5
000
Wheels › Rim4
000
Unknown or Other4
000
Air Bags · airbags4
311

13 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.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump07E055000
Filed Jul 26, 2007222 vehiclesAirtex Products

Defect. CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES, P/N E7081H, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WALL OF THE FLARED FITTING OF THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE MATING THREADED FITTINGS FROM BOTTOMING OUT BEFORE AN ADEQUATE SEAL IS ACHIEVED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION OF THE VEHICLE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY.

Risk. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AIRTEX AUTOMOTIVE AT 800-880-3056.

Exterior Lighting06E064000
Filed Jul 17, 20064,029 vehiclesTradesonic

Defect. CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Exterior Lighting06E060000
Filed Jun 29, 200687,745 vehiclesAai Motorsports USA, LLC

Defect. CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Remedy. AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

Exterior Lighting06E049000
Filed May 24, 200627,176 vehiclesCk Motorsport, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE 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. CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Exterior Lighting06E044000
Filed May 22, 20061,215 vehiclesJ & A Auto Accessories

Defect. CERTAIN J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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. J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES AT 310-327-4981.

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.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights06E023000
Filed Mar 13, 2006292,000 vehiclesAnzo USA, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH 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.

Remedy. ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Equipment › Other › Labels04V428000
Filed Sep 1, 2004100,432 vehiclesMitsubishi Caribbean

Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Risk. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy. MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint00V421001
Filed Dec 18, 2000567,432 vehiclesMitsubishi America

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

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.

Vehicle Speed Control98V045001
Filed Mar 3, 199820,974 vehiclesMitsubishi America

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DASH PANEL PAD CAN SHIFT INTERFERRING WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.

Risk. THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REMOVE A PORTION OF THE DASH PANEL PAD SO IT CANNOT INTERFERE WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.

All 13 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
SuspensionCrash
Filed Feb 26, 2016200,000 milesWA

"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE REPLACED MY CONTROL ARMS ABOUT 4 TIMES NOW IN THE PAST 2 YEARS. I HAVE IT FIXED AND THEN THE SQUEAKING ALWAYS COMES BACK, LAST ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND THEN LOWER BALL JOINT BREAKS. LAST TIME IT BROKE I WAS GOING ABOUT 40MPH, IT WAS VERY SCARY. THE PICTURE I SENT WAS TAKEN ON 7/28/14. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS ON 6/20/15 AND I HAVE HAD IT REPLACED SINCE.

SuspensionCrash
Filed Feb 26, 2016200,000 milesWA

"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE REPLACED MY CONTROL ARMS ABOUT 4 TIMES NOW IN THE PAST 2 YEARS. I HAVE IT FIXED AND THEN THE SQUEAKING ALWAYS COMES BACK LASTS ABOUT 6 MONTHS THEN THE LOWER BALL JOINT BREAKS. LAST TIME IT BROKE I WAS GOING ABOUT 40 MPH, IT WAS VERY SCARY. THE PICTURE I SENT WAS TAKEN ON 7/28/2014. THOUGH THE LAST TIME IT BROKE WAS ON 6/20/2015.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 9, 2015FL

BATTERY DISCHARGES OVERNIGHT AND ELECTROAUTOS CANNOT FIND ANY ELECTRICAL LEAKAGE BUT THEY SUSPECT THE STARTER SYSTEM DEVICE (AN OBLONG DEVICE THAT NEEDS TO BE PRESENTED TO A RED LIGHT TO GET THE STARTER TO FUNCTION). THE BATTERY HAS BEEN CHANGED SEVERAL TIMES BUT LEAKAGE CONTINUES. DUE TO AGE, NO SENSORS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO CHECK IT. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY IN GARAGE.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 29, 2014109,000 milesFL

RECENTLY, RELOCATED TO FLORIDA WITH IN 18 MONTHS I NOTICE MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS PROTRUDING OUT FROM THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY IN SW FLORIDA. ORIGINALLY HAD CAR IN NEW YORK AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT IT EXPLODING WHILE I AM DRIVING. NOTICE ON RECENT RECALL CONCERNING AIR BAGS DIDN'T INCLUDE MY MAKE AND MODEL. THIS 1998 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GST IS MAKING A TRUE STATEMENT ON THE ABOVE AIR BAG ISSUE AND ALL STATEMENTS ARE TRUE. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE ABOVE MAKE AND MODEL IDENTIFY SAME ISSUES WITH AIR BAG BEING EXPOSED TO HIGH HEAT CLIMATES IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER I BELIEVE THIS MAKE AND MODEL SHOULD BE ON THE RECALL LIST, THANK YOU. *TR

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Apr 6, 2011OH

1998 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE, UNIT 1 WAS TRAVELING EAST ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE NEAR THE 54 MILEPOST. UNIT 1 FILLED WITH SMOKE. UNIT 1 PULLED TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND STOPPED. THE DRIVER OF UNIT 1 EXITED AND OPENED THE HOOD AND OBSERVED FIRE. THE DRIVER OF UNIT 1 WAS CHARGED WITH OVI. BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0046-89)*JB UPDATED 04/22/11 *BF

Tires
Filed Sep 8, 2010103,000 milesIN

ON 9/6/2010 I GOT IN MY CAR AND PULLED OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE. MY CAR HAD BEEN SITTING ALL THAT DAY AND THE PREVIOUS DAY. AS I PULLED OUT, HEARD A FLOP, FLOP NOISE, STOPPED MY CAR, GOT OUT AND LOOKED AROUND. THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE, A UNIROYAL LONG TOURING A/S, HAD COMPLETELY BLOWN OUT (NOT JUST GONE FLAT). I REPLACED THE TIRE WITH MY SPARE. I LOOKED OVER THE BLOWN TIRE AND FOUND A TEAR APPROX. 1-2 INCHES LONG ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE, JUST BELOW THE TREAD. MY FATHER CONTACTED THE TIRE MANUFACTURER, BECAUSE MY SISTER HAD THE SAME MODEL TIRE AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WEEKS EARLIER. MY FATHER WAS TOLD WE COULD GET REIMBURSED FOR NEW TIRES IF THEY WERE INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. TODAY, 9/8/2010, I TOOK MY CAR TO A TIRE DEALERSHIP AND GOT THE ONE TIRE REPLACED. THE BLOWN TIRE WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. AN INDIVIDUAL FROM THAT DEALERSHIP CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER & WAS TOLD TO FILL OUT A CLAIM FORM SO I COULD BE REIMBURSED 60% OF THE NEW TIRE COST. THE DEALER KEPT MY BLOWN TIRE. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT GETTING ALL NEW TIRES, BECAUSE THE OTHERS WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE WITH CRACKS BEGINNING. THEY SAID THE TIRE I JUST PAID FOR COULD NOT BE COVERED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT AN ACCEPTED BRAND, BUT FOUR NEW TIRES THAT WERE OF AN ACCEPTED BRAND COULD BE COVERED UP TO 60%. THE TIRES HAVE ALL BEEN SAID TO BE DEFECTIVE BY THE DEALERSHIP, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO COVER THE FULL COST OF REPLACEMENT TIRES. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Aug 3, 201044,000 milesSC

I PURCHASED MY 1998 ECLIPSE GS IN 2003 WITH APPROX. 38,000 MILES ON IT. WITHIN 2 MONTHS, MY DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE BROKE WHEN OPENING THE DOOR. THIS OCCURRED ON A DAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUMMER. NOT THINKING MUCH ABOUT IT, I HAD IT REPLACED AT A COST OF ALMOST $300.00 (PARTS, LABOR, & PAINT) IT HAPPENED AGAIN WITHIN 3 MONTHS. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THIS ONE ALSO AND ONLY CHARGED ME FOR THE PART, A MERE $175.00. ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER, MY GIRLFRIEND AT THE TIME WAS OPENING THE PASSENGER DOOR AND THAT HANDLE BROKE OFF. THIS MAKES 3 BROKEN DOOR HANDLES IN 11 MONTHS. I MIGHT BE A STRONG GUY, I GUESS, BUT MY GIRLFRIEND WAS 5'1" AND ABOUT 90 LBS.. THE KIND OF GIRL WHO HAD TROUBLE TEARING NOTEBOOK PAPER. WELL, WHILE WAITING FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO ORDER A REPLACEMENT HANDLE, MY BROTHER WAS GETTING INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY CAR TO INSTALL A NEW STEREO AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE HANDLE SNAPS OFF IN HIS HAND. I HAD TO LEAVE A WINDOW DOWN FOR A WEEK INORDER TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE SINCE STOPPED ORDERING FROM THE DEALERSHIP AS A FIBERGLASS DOOR HANDLE WAS AVAILABLE ONLINE FOR $35.00 AND CAME BLACK IN COLOR. TO DATE, AS OF 2010, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE 6 TIMES AND THE PASSENGER SIDE TWICE. AFTER SPEAKING WIT QUITE A FEW MITSUBISHI ENTHUSIASTS, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM MITSUBISHI KNOWS ABOUT, ALWAYS KNEW ABOUT, AND HAS SIMPLY REFUSED TO FIX, EVEN AS FAR AS NOT MAKING REPLACEMENT DOOR HANDLES OUT OF STRONGER MATERIAL. I WILL NEVER BUY A MITS

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly
Filed Oct 17, 2007137,077 milesIL

RATTLING/CLACKING WHEN DRIVING SLOWING ON ROUGH ROAD. FOUND RIGHT FRONT LOWER LATERAL ARM HAS A LOT OF PLAY AND ALSO INNER AND OUTER TIRE ROD ENDS HAVE A LOT OF PLAY. THE FRONT LOWER LATERAL ARM TO SUSPENSION AND EVERYTHING DROPPED PRIOR GETTING TO DEALERSHIP TO INSPECT AND FIX IT. MORE DAMAGES INCURRED FOR BROKEN SUSPENSION, TIE RODS AND LATERAL ARM. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 23, 200750,000 milesVA

AROUND 50,000 MILES ABOUT 2001 MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF. I CALL DEALERSHIP AND BECAUSE I COULDN'T BE SEEN NO EARLIER THAN 2 WEEKS AHEAD OF TIME I WAS UNABLE TO GET A CONVENIENT APPT. I DIDN'T GET THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP UNTIL MUCH LATER. WHEN THE LIGHT STARTED STAYING ON STEADY AROUND 81,000 I TOOK IT IN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP AND THEY CHARGED ME OVER $200 TO TELL ME MY COMPUTER WAS NO GOOD AND A NEW ONE WOULD COST $1100 AND MY WARRANTY ON THE COMPUTER WENT OUT AT 80,000. I LET SOME TIME GO BY AND PURCHASED A COMPUTER FROM THE JUNKYARD. I THEN FOUND A PLACE THAT REBUILT COMPUTERS. I SENT MY ORIGINAL COMPUTER AWAY. I LATER GOT A PHONE CALL WITH THE PLACE TELLING ME THAT MY COMPUTER HAD BEEN RECALLED SO I CALLED MITSUBISHI. THEY TOLD ME THERE HAD NOT BEEN A RECALL SO I CALLED THE PLACE BACK. THE GUY EXPLAINED THAT MY COMPUTER HAD THE SAME ISSUE AS MANY OTHERS LIKE MINE HAD AND THAT MITSUIBISHI DID NOT RECALL THEM BUT STOP MAKING THAT TYPE OF COMPUTER. HE DID TELL ME THEY MADE A NEW ONE AND IF I COULD FIND OUT WHAT THEY WENT OVER TO HE COULD FIND ME ONE. WHEN I CALLED MITS BACK AND EXPLAINED THEY TOLD ME THAT THE DEALERSHIP COULD HAVE OVER RIDDEN THE 81,00 MILES SINCE IT WAS SO CLOSE TO THE 80,000 AND IF I WENT BACK THERE I COULD SEE IF THEY WOULD DO IT. WELL I CALLED BACK AND SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. HE WANTED ME TO DO ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH I AM TRYING TO EXPLAIN THAT WOULD NOT BENEFIT ME. I WOULD BE PAYING ANO

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Mar 20, 2007CO

1998 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE TURBO CUSTOMER STATES THAT LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR, IT BROKE DOWN IN THE PARKING LOT. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE CAME OFF CRASHING TO THE GROUND**CC THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WAS APART OF A RECALL, HOWEVER SHE WAS TOLD BY CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO TOLD THAT BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A MITSUBISHI DEALER THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT. *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Dec 26, 2006OK

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS PULLING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY IN HIS 1998 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE WHEN HIS LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD ONLY REACHED A SPEED OF 7 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE.

Air BagsCrashFire
Filed Aug 15, 2006103,737 milesMA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT CAUSING THE CONTACT TO HIT THIS VEHICLE ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FROM THE WHEEL FORWARD. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG GOT STUCK TO THE BACK PLATE AND DID NOT DEPLOY. THE AIR BAG BEGAN TO SMOKE AND WAS BURNED BEYOND REPAIR. AS A RESULT, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW CRACKED. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Injectors
Filed Jul 28, 2006CT

ONE OF THE CYLINDERS HAS MISFIRED SEVERAL TIMES IN WHICH I REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES. IT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL INJECTOR. *JB

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jun 12, 2006100,000 milesCA

I BOUGHT MY 98 ECLIPSE, STANDARD, IN 2003, NOT EVEN A YEAR AFTER I HAD IT IT DIED ON ME ON THE FREEWAY ONE DAY. TURNED OUT IT WAS THE SPEED SENSOR THAT GOT ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE. ABOUT ANOTHER 6 MONTHS LATER THE FOUND AN OIL LEAK ON THE HEAD GASKET THAT WAS MAKING ME MISFIRE, THAT WAS FIXED. THE CAR WAS FINE UNTIL ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO WHEN THE ENGINE WENT OUT ON ME BECAUSE APPARENTLY THE ENGINE OIL AND COOLANT WERE SOMEHOW MIXING, MY HOSES WERE OUT, SO WAS MY WATER PUMP, O2 SENSOR AND FUEL PUMP SENSOR, ALL AT THE SAME TIME. WELL I HAD MAJOR WORK DONE EVERYTHING WAS PUT IN NEW, ABOUT A MONTH LATER MY DRIVER DOOR HANDLE FALLS OFF, THAT COST ME 150 DOLLARS! ONE MONTH AFTER THAT, NOW, MY SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING ALL OF A SUDDEN AND 2 WEEKS LATER MY TRANSMISSION GOES OUT. ALSO MY CLUTCH IS GOING OUT. SO NOW I CANT DRIVE THE CAR ANY HIGHER THAN 5TH GEAR BECAUSE IT THROWS MY GEAR OUT!!! SINCE I STILL OWE 6K ON THE CAR I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO FIX IT. WHICH IS GOING TO END UP COSTING ME, IN ALL I'VE SPENT AND AM ABOUT TO SPEND, AS MUCH AS I STILL OWE ON THE CAR! *NM

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Feb 8, 200692,000 milesNY

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED PRIOR TO PURCHASE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE LOWER BALL JOINTS, #00V421001. THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED, BUT THE VEHICLE HAD THE FAILURE ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL AGAIN. SINCE PURCHASE, THE STEERING WAS POOR AND THEN THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE LOWER BALL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

Air Bags › FrontalCrashFire
Filed Oct 6, 2005CO

AFTER CRASHING IN A MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE THE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG CAUGHT FIRE. TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO PULL APART THE DASH IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE WIRES FROM THE AIRBAG. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Sep 16, 200582,560 milesFL

DT: WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT THE ACCELERATOR STUCK AND VEHICLE SPEEDED UP. THE CALLER'S HUSBAND APPLIED THE CLUTCH TO PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND THE CLUTCH BLEW OPUT. IT SHOT PIECES OF METAL THROUGH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. INSURANCE COMPANY SAID IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE CRUISE CONTROL OR THE THROTTLE. DEALER SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF THAT HAPPENING AND WANTED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. SHE WILL HAVE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC LOOK AT VEHICLE TOMORROW. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed Aug 30, 2005CA

DT: THE CONSUMER HAD MANUFACTURER'S RECALL C9803T REPAIRS DONE. AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL AND THE TRANSFER CASE BROKE. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD HIM TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WOULD SEND HIS COMPLAINT # 375 625 FOR REVIEW. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ON 8-30-05. *AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Aug 29, 2005IL

PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE OF 98 MITSUBISHI SNAPS OFF WHILE OPENING AND OCCUPANT ALMOST FEEL TO THE GROUND. *JB

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed Jun 3, 200568,000 milesTX

1) NONE 2) TRANSFER CASE BEGAN LEAKING (HASN'T LOCKED UP YET) 3) NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE, DEALER WILL NOT RECALL FOR A 2ND TIME.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly
Filed May 2, 200540,000 milesPA

40000 OR MORE NEED A NEW HEAD GASTIC AND THATS TAKING THE ENGINE APART, HAD A LEAK WASN'T VALUE GASITIC AND TURNED OUT TO BE HEAD GASITIC, WHEN YOU DRIVE CAR A 100 MILES OR SO IT LOSES OIL, AND LOOSE ABOUT HALF A COURT OF OIL AND BURNING SMELL, IF YOU DON'T REPLACE WILL LOOSE MORE OIL

Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit
Filed Apr 7, 200580,000 milesNM

WHILE IDLING IN TRAFFIC THE DIFFERENTIAL EXPLODED AND KNOCKED A LARGE CHUNK OF METAL OUT. THIS RESULTED IN TRANSMISSION LOCKING UP AND OIL SPILLING. VEHICLE WILL ONLY ROLL BACKWARD.*AK TOWED VEHICLE TO CONSUMER'S HOME. DEALERSHIP WILL BE CONTACTED. *AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Mar 28, 200570,000 milesNC

WHEN DRIVING ANY SPEED, THE CONSUMER WOULD HEAR A CRACKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER OF A WORN LOWER BALL JOINT. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *JB THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE INTERNET AND SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON HER MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE FOR FAULTY BALL JOINTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CLOSEST MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE. *BF *NM

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Feb 24, 2005122,320 milesIN

DOOR HANDLE ON OUTSIDE OF CAR BROKE WHILE TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR PARKED IN MY GARAGE. TEMP IN GARAGE AROUND 35 F. CAR STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AND DOOR IS UNUSABLE AS A RESULT. PARTS WILL HAVE TO ORDERED FROM DEALER AND THEN A BODY SHOP WILL HAVE TO PAINT TO MATCH. CAR IS SEVEN YEARS OLD THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING. *NM

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed Feb 24, 2005123,000 milesTX

I WAS EXITING AN INTERSTATE AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. THE REAR WHEELS OF THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE TRANSFER CASE. THIS IS THE DIRECT RESULT OF THE TRANSFER CASE HAVING INADEQUATE DESIGN AND/OR MANUFACTURING ERROR (REF NHTSA RECALL ID: 98V069001). BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ARE REFUSING TO PERFORM RECALL WORK AT NO CHARGE CITING THAT THE RECALL SERVICE WAS PERFORMED ONCE BEFORE. DEFECTIVE PARTS WITHIN THE TRANSFER CASE WERE REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL NOTICE ONCE BEFORE HOWEVER MANUFACTURING FLAWS IN THE TRANSFER CASE DESIGN WERE NEVER CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSFER CASE WAS ONLY DELAYED, NOT CORRECTED, THROUGH THE INITIAL RECALL SERVICE. TELEPHONE INQUIRIES MADE TO NHTSA AND THE TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL?S OFFICE RESULTED IN FEEDBACK SUPPORTING THIS POSITION. *NM

Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Feb 17, 200563,000 milesCA

BOTH OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES BROKE COMPLETELY OFF. *JB

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed Feb 3, 200562,000 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING NOISE FORM THE TRANSFER CASE. THE REAR TIRE LOCKED UP, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jan 14, 2005CA

MY WIFE AND I ARE THE CURRENT AND CONTINUOUS OWNERS OF A 1998 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WITHIN THE SPACE OF APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS, BOTH DOOR HANDLES HAVE FALLEN OFF UNDER NORMAL USE. UPON REQUESTING THAT THE LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP (SOUTH COAST, COSTA MESA, CA) REPLACE THE DOOR HANDLES, WE WERE TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE REPLACEMENT COST FOR EACH DOOR HANDLE WOULD BE $275.00 U.S. DOLLARS. WE CONSIDER THIS TO BE PREDATORY PRICING FOR REPLACEMENT OF A DESIGN FLAW AND KNOWN DEFECT. *JB

Wheels › Rim
Filed Sep 9, 200424,000 milesTX

I OWN A MITS.ECLIPSE GSX AND NOTICE THAT THEY RIMS WOULD GET LOOK BANGED UP WITH OUT BEING ABLE TO TELL HOW THEY WERE DAMAGE. ONE TIME A POT HOLE WAS TO BLAME. NOT A HUGE POTHOLE BUT A SMALL NORMAL POTHOLE. I ENDED UP WITH SEVERAL FLAT TIRES IN IL WHEN I LIVED THERE AND THE TIRE GUYS TOLD ME THAT EVENTUALLY I WOULD NEED TO RIMS. WHEN I MOVED TO TX, I WAS FORCED TO GET NEW RIMS BECAUSE THE RIMS AS THEY WERE WOULD NOT PASS THEIR STATE'S SAFETY INSPECTION. THE COST WAS $250 EACH TO FIX, BUT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THEY WON'T GET DAMAGED AGAIN. I WAS TOLD BY THE SHOP THAT FIXED THEM THAT THEY HAD DONE A LOT OF THIS MODEL'S TIRES AND THAT A BLOWOUT WAS POSSIBLE DUE TO THEM. *AK

Wheels › Rim
Filed Aug 17, 200434,584 milesCA

1998 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GSX WHEELS. THESE WHEELS BENT ON ME ABOUT 3 TIMES. I BLEW OUT A TIRE BECAUSE OF THEM ONCE, AND THE REST JUST BENT IF I HIT A SPEED BUMP OR SOMETHING REALLY SMALL. THESE ARE VERY DANGEROUS WHEELS. EVERYTIME I WENT TO MITSUBISHI AND THE SERVICE TECH'S TOLD ME THE WHEELS WERE VERY VERY WEAK AS WELL. THERE WAS NO HELP AT ALL. THESE WHEELS ARE HORRIBLE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED ME A FEW ACCIDENTS. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 11, 2004IL

MY CAR HAS BEEN OVERHEATING, AND BURNING COOLANT. MY MECHANIC INSPECTED THE CAR AND FOUND A FAULTY HEAD GASKET. MECHANIC CLAIMS HE SEES THIS A LOT IN THE ECLIPSE. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT JOB, AND MANUFACTURER WILL NOT WARRANTY IT. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 29, 200485,000 milesOK

LIFTER TICKING AT 85000 MILES. OVER $1000 TO REPLACE LIFTERS. HAVE NOT YET REPLACED THE OLD ONES. MANY PEOPLE HAVE SAID HAVE SAME PROBLEM AND THE NEW LIFTERS ARE REVISED. SO WHY NOT CHANGE FAULTY OLD STYLE ONES?*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 30, 200481,000 milesOH

HAD RECALL DONE FOR LATERAL ARM, DEALER INFORMED ME HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN, TWO WEEKS LATER BOTH DOOR HANDLES BROKE OFF, MAYBE THE DOOR HANDLES SHOULDN'T BE MADE OF PLASTIC. THE CAR HAS BEEN THROUGH TWO ALTERNATOR BELTS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. THE CAR OVERHEATS AND IT MELTS THEM RIGHT OFF. YOU BUY A PRODUCT FROM MITSUBISHI SO YOU DONT EXPECT IT TO BE MADE BY CHRYSLER. MY SISTER DRIVES A DODGE AVENGER AND WE HAVE THE SAME EXACT ENGINE, AND GUESS WHAT HAPPENED TO IT ---A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. MAYBE YOU PEOPLE SHOULD STAND BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT AND FIX THE EVER SO COMMON PROBLEM. EVERYONE I KNOW WHO DRIVES AN ECLIPSE HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I AM VERY UNHAPPY AND WILL NEVER BUY A CAR FROM MITSUBISHI AGAIN. *LA

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 7, 200490,000 milesSC

VEHICLE HAS 90,000 MILES AND IS 1998 MANUFACTURING DATE. ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ARE BOTH COMPLETELY IRREPARABLE. NO EVIDIENCE OF LOW OIL LEVEL OR OTHER MAINTENANCE NEGLECT WHICH LED TO THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IS NOW SCRAP. ALTHOUGH FAILURE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, A COMPLETE VEHICLE FAILURE AT 90,000 MILES IS NOT NORMAL OR ACCEPTABLE.*AK

Service Brakes, Air › Disc › Rotor
Filed Jan 16, 200437,500 milesAZ

THE ROTORS ON MY BRAKES LASTED A GOOD MONTH AND A HALF BEFORE THEY STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN I WOULD TRY TO GRADUALLY BRAKE FROM SPEEDS BETWEEN 45-65 MPH. TODAY I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 65 MPH AND IT FELT LIKE THEY JUST WEREN'T STOPPING ME. THERE WAS NO PRESSURE. I HAD THE BRAKES CHECKED OUT AND THE PADS ARE LIKE NEW, THE ROTORS SHOW SOME WARPING, HOWEVER IM NOT SURE A WARPED ROTOR CAN CAUSE BRAKE FAILURE. ID LIKE TO FEEL A LOT MORE COMFORTABLE WHILE DRIVING MY CAR. IM GLAD NOTHING EXTREME HAPPENED. *CB

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jan 6, 2004800,000 milesVA

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 28, 2003NC

I BOUGHT MY USED 1998 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE IN MARCH OF 2003. IN JUNE OF 2003, MY DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE BROKE. MY WARRANTY WOULDN'T COVER IT AND THE DEALERSHIP WANTED TO CHARGE ME $137 TO FIX IT. I SAID NO WAY AND JUST STARTED CRAWLING THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE. IN NOVEMBER 2003, MY PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE BROKE LEAVING ME WITH NO WAY TO GET INTO MY CAR. STILL YET, MY WARRENTY WOULDN'T COVER THIS. THEY SAID THIS WAS DUE TO "NEGLIGENCE". BOTH DOOR HANDLES WERE BROKE IN THE SAME PLACE AND ALL I DID WAS OPEN THE DOOR AND THEY WERE BROKE. THEY ARE MADE OF ALL PLASTIC. I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT MANY 1998 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE'S HAVE HAD BROKEN DOOR HANDLES. I AM PAYING $252 A MONTH FOR THIS CAR WITH AN EXTENDED WARRENTY THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE WORTH ANYTHING. *AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Dec 22, 200371,000 milesCT

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE MAKING LOUD NOISES. DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. *AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Nov 5, 2003TX

DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH ON A 1998 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE BROKE.*MR *TS *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 1, 200355,000 milesIN

WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP, THEY INDICATED THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAD A OIL LEAK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COMMON PROBLEM.*AK IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE WRONG OIL FILTER WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Oct 1, 200322,000 milesFL

DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLES SNAPPED AND BROKE OFF WITHOUT EXCESSIVE FORCE. *AK *JB

Structure › Body
Filed May 26, 2003FL

THERE APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT IN THE BODY OF ALL MITSUBISHI ECLIPSES THAT HAVE THE SAME BODY STYLE OF 1998. THERE IS A PIECE ON THE UNDERSIDE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT CATCHES ON PARKING SPACE MARKERS AND CAUSES THE WHOLE FRONT PIECE OF THE CAR TO EITHER TEAR, HANG, OR IN SOME CASES FALL OFF. *NLM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 5, 200354,000 milesPA

THE VEHICLE LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID, AND THE RAG TOP ROOF LEAKED WATER WHEN IT RAINED. DEALER REPAIRED BOTH PROBLEMS SIX TIMES. *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Feb 28, 2003IN

THERE WAS A CRACKING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED, CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING THE BALL JOINT, HOWEVER THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS REBUILT. *JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 19, 2003100,000 milesTN

MY 1998 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS FROM THE TIME IT WAS PURCHASED. AT 50,000 MILES THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED. AND TODAY THE ENGINE HAS A ROD THROWN AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE ENGINE. I HAD THE CAR IN SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED BECAUSE THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF AND WAS TOLD IT WAS JUST A SENSOR. AFTER THAT THE LIGHT STILL CAME ON AND OFF AND I WAS TOLD NOT TO WORRY. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. OTHER PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED HAVE BEEN WITH THE BRAKES. FREQUENT BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT AND ROTORS TURNED AND REPLACED AFTER ONLY SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES. THAT WAS BLAMED ON MY DRIVING HABITS. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT ALL ECLIPSE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. WHY ISN'T SOMETHING BEING DONE? ALSO OIL LEAKS AND ENGINE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM ACCORDING TO THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE. WHAT DOES THE MANUFACTUERS WARRANTY COVER IF IT DOES NOT COVER THE ENGINE. IN MY OPINION, AFTER 50,000 MILES A CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE TO HAVE A HEAD GASKET REPLACED IF THE MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE AS REQUESTED BY THE MANUFACTER. ON JULY 31, 2002 TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE OIL LEAK CHECKED AND SERVICE DEPT. UNABLE TO LOCATE OIL LEAK. ADVISED TO HAVE TRANSMISSION CHECKED. TRANSMISSION SERVICED BY DEALERSHIP. STILL HAD PROBLEMS WITH OIL LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF. COULD THIS DEFECT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH WHY MY ENGINE THREW A ROD THROUGH IT AND HAS MADE MY CAR WORTHLESS? THIS CAR I

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Feb 10, 200387,000 milesCA

FRONT BRAKES ON 1998 MISTUBISHI ECLIPSE VIBRATE WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED THIS BRAKE FAILURE 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 4 YEARS. ROTORS RESURFACED AT 12,000 MILES. ROTORS REPLACED AT 27,000 MILES AND RESURFACED AND REPLACED AGAIN AT 77,000 MILES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BROKE TWICE. (PLASTIC)

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 30, 200365,000 milesIL

ENGINE BURNS OIL AT APPROX. 1 QT PER WEEK, ALSO HAS POSSIBLE LEAKS IN ENGINE WITH ONLY 69,000 MILES ON ENGINE. THE CAR HAS BEEN RECALLED TWICE FOR SAME PROBLEM AND IT IS STILL HAPPENED AGAIN. HAS HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES FOR LIFE OF ENGINE. TRANSMISSION SOMETIMES STAYS ON LEVEL 2 AND 3 FOR UPTO 20MINUTES AT 60MPH DOES NOT CHANGE AND SHIFTS HARD WITH SLOW OR FAST ACCELERATION. LEAKS TRANSMISSION FLUID, HAS FUEL THROTTLE LEAKAGES AND CONTROL LEAKS FROM 45,000 MILES UP TO NOW THURSADY, JANUARY 30, 2003.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jan 9, 200350,000 milesNC

ENGINE BURNS OIL AT APPROX. 1 QT PER WEEK, ALSO HAS POSSIBLE LEAKS IN ENGINE WITH ONLY 69,000 MILES ON ENGINE. HAS HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES FOR LIFE OF ENGINE. BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AND NEED REPLACEMENT, UNSURE OF WHEN LAST CHANGED. TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND SHIFTS HARD WITH SLOW OR FAST ACCELERATION.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jan 8, 200339,000 milesCT

THE CONVERTIBLE TOP STRUT ARM IS BENT NOT ALLOWING THE TOP TO OPEN OR CLOSE PROPERLY. DEALER STATES IT'S A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *JG *JB

Power Train
Filed Jan 8, 2003CA

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TS THERE WAS AN ODOR IN THE VEHICLE, THE CLUTCH HAD GONE OUT, THE REAR BRAKES SQUEAKED, AND WATER LEAKED INTO THE INTERIOR ON THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE DEALER SOLD HER AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. SCC

Complaints 1-50 of 129, newest first, 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
1998 — this page1291350Routine
19971361261Fatalities reported
19961591150Routine
19953071292Fatalities reported
199434410Routine
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.