Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 7 of 54 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seat Belts. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
54 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2001
Power Train
I HAVE DISCOVERED THE TRANSMISSION DIP STICK/FILL CAP MISSING ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. UNKNOWN HOW LONG I DROVE WITHOUT DIP STICK EACH TIME. FIRST TIME I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID PURGED, BUT DEALER STATED PLUG MUST HAVE WORN OUT. EACH TIME THE FLUID LEVEL BECAME VERY LOW. I BELIEVE AN INTERNAL PREASURE IS CAUSING THE PL…
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I HAVE DISCOVERED THE TRANSMISSION DIP STICK/FILL CAP MISSING ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. UNKNOWN HOW LONG I DROVE WITHOUT DIP STICK EACH TIME. FIRST TIME I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID PURGED, BUT DEALER STATED PLUG MUST HAVE WORN OUT. EACH TIME THE FLUID LEVEL BECAME VERY LOW. I BELIEVE AN INTERNAL PREASURE IS CAUSING THE PLUG TO BLOW OUT. I HAVE SINCE TIED A STRING TO THE PLUG SO THAT I WILL NOT LOSE THE PLUG. UNKNOWN DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION DUE TO LOW FLUID OR DIRT CONTAMINATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #755529
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2001
Power Train
VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN FROM RAMP AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING TRANSFER CASE LOCKED UP. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED, DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #898778
Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2001
Power Train
RECALL 98VO69001/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL SR-98-002 WAS ISSUED FOR TRANSFER CASE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION & DIDNT HAVE A PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS LEAKING FLUID FROM TRANSFER CASE. DEALER WILL NOT LOOK AT VEHICLE FOR TRANSFER CASE LEAK PROBLEM. *AK THE DEALER POINTED OUT THAT TRANSFER CASE SERVING WAS PART OF WEAR AN…
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RECALL 98VO69001/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL SR-98-002 WAS ISSUED FOR TRANSFER CASE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION & DIDNT HAVE A PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS LEAKING FLUID FROM TRANSFER CASE. DEALER WILL NOT LOOK AT VEHICLE FOR TRANSFER CASE LEAK PROBLEM. *AK THE DEALER POINTED OUT THAT TRANSFER CASE SERVING WAS PART OF WEAR AND TEAR WHILE THE CONSUMER STATES IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW AT THE FACTORY AND IT IS THE DEALER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX IT. *YH
NHTSA ODI #882688
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2001
Tires
TREAD WAS WEARING OUT EXCESSIVELY ON COOPER TIRES SIZE 185/70R13. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES OR VEHICLE BEING OUT OF ALIGNMENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #881039
Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
OIL SENDING UNIT WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE PEP BOYS IN NORTH LITTLE AR HAD VEHICLE FOR 5 MONTHS TRYING TO REPAIR , IF THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH A RECALL COULD I PLEASE BE NOTIFIED. I HAVE RECEIVED NO INFO ON ANY RECALLS.THANK YOU.
NHTSA ODI #733731
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2000
Power Train
IN 1998 CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER 98V069.001/ TRANSMISSION, TRANSFER CASE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. THEY" INSPECTED " VEHICLE AND SAID THERE WAS NO LEAK, TWO YEARS LATER, CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH AND BOTH REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS A RESULT OF DEALER NOT INSPECTING VEHICLE PROPERLY AT THE TIM…
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IN 1998 CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER 98V069.001/ TRANSMISSION, TRANSFER CASE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. THEY" INSPECTED " VEHICLE AND SAID THERE WAS NO LEAK, TWO YEARS LATER, CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH AND BOTH REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS A RESULT OF DEALER NOT INSPECTING VEHICLE PROPERLY AT THE TIME OF RECALL, TWO YEARS AGO.*AK
NHTSA ODI #865413
Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2000
Steering
COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY!! IF NOT FOR THE LOW SPEED, I'D BE DEAD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #725369
Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2000
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY SPEED VEHICLE COULD START SHAKING WITHOUT WARNING AND LOSE CONTROL JUST LIKE IN RECALL 98V069000/ TRANSFER CASE. OWNER NOTICED LEAKAGE UNDER THE TRANSFER CASE. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #860366
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2000
StructureSuspension
WHILE DRIVING/STOPPED AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. WHEELS LOCKED UP, AND THERE WAS SOME LEAKAGE UNDER THE AUTOMOBILE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #860218
Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2000
Suspension
THE REAR SWAY BAR MOUNT BROKE, CAUSING THE SWAY BAR TO SEPARATE FROM THE CHASSIS. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FISHTAIL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4
RQ98007 · Transfer Case Leakage
Opened May 11, 1998 · Closed Aug 28, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission
THE TRANSFER CASE OF THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD), MITSUBISHI GALANT, ALLEGEDLY LEAKS OIL CAUSING ONE OR MORE WHEELS TO LOCKUP; OR THE INABILITY TO TRANSMIT ENGINE POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS.THE VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME TRANSFER CASE DESIGN AS THE ECLIPSE VEHICLES WHICH HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME ALLEGED DEFECT.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission
THE TRANSFER CASE OF THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD), MITSUBISHI GALANT, ALLEGEDLY LEAKS OIL CAUSING ONE OR MORE WHEELS TO LOCKUP; OR THE INABILITY TO TRANSMIT ENGINE POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS.THE VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME TRANSFER CASE DESIGN AS THE ECLIPSE VEHICLES WHICH HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME ALLEGED DEFECT.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
THE TRANSFER CASE OF THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD), MITSUBISHI GALANT, ALLEGEDLY LEAKS OIL CAUSING ONE OR MORE WHEELS TO LOCKUP; OR THE INABILITY TO TRANSMIT ENGINE POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS.THE VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME TRANSFER CASE DESIGN AS THE ECLIPSE VEHICLES WHICH HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME ALLEGED DEFECT.
EA98002 · Transfer Case Lockup
Opened Jan 30, 1998 · Closed Apr 30, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels
No summary supplied.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Wheels
Wheels
PE97040 · Transfer Case Lockup
Opened Sep 4, 1997 · Closed Jan 30, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels
ALLEGED DRIVETRAIN FAILURE THAT CAN LEAD TO LOCK-UP OF THE REAR OR ALL WHEELS.
EA95004 · Takata Seat Belt Buckle Failure
Opened Mar 10, 1995 · Closed Aug 1, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
There is no summary currently available
1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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