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1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Eclipse years

Owner complaints for the 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse are substantially higher than the model-year median of 49.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 30 of 307 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 59 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

44 crash reports9 fire reports15 injury reports

Structure complaints

12 reports
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148,000 miles · Nov 26, 2007
Structure

1995 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. BOTH OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN OFF JUST FROM EVERYDAY USE. DRIVERS SIDE WHEN THE CAR WAS THREE YEARS OLD. THE PASSENGER SIDE IN NOVEMBER OF 2007. IF THEY DECIDE TO BREAK AT THE SAME TIME YOU WOULD BE TRAPPED INSIDE YOUR CAR IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THE REPLACEMENT COST IS ABOUT $200.00 PER INCIDENT…

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1995 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. BOTH OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN OFF JUST FROM EVERYDAY USE. DRIVERS SIDE WHEN THE CAR WAS THREE YEARS OLD. THE PASSENGER SIDE IN NOVEMBER OF 2007. IF THEY DECIDE TO BREAK AT THE SAME TIME YOU WOULD BE TRAPPED INSIDE YOUR CAR IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THE REPLACEMENT COST IS ABOUT $200.00 PER INCIDENT TO INCLUDE PAINTING AND INSTALLATION. THIS SEEMS TO BE A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH THE 1995 THROUGH 1999 ECLIPSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10209888

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2004
Structure

DOOR HANDLE ON 1995 MITSIBISHI ECLIPSE BROKE WHEN TRYING TO ENTER VEHICLE.. NO ABNORMAL PRESSURE.. JUST SNAPPED OFF.. PLASTIC?? WHY IS THIS SO CHEAP?*AK

NHTSA ODI #10079027

140,000 miles · May 14, 2004
Structure

STRUT TOWERS (JUST UNDERNEATH THE HOOD) ARE RUSTING. IT'S AS IF THE VEHICLE IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. VEHICLE WILL NO LONGER PASS INSPECTION. THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS ABSOLUTELY FINE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10072627

Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2004
Structure

ON TWO OCCASIONS MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN OFF WHEN OPENING THE DOOR. I'VE HEARD THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE MITSUBISHI BUT THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANYTHING DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. IF A RECALL OR REIMBURSEMENT ISN'T DONE, CAN'T THEY AT LEAST MAKE THE HANDLES BETTER WITH SOME KIND OF METAL REINFORCEME…

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ON TWO OCCASIONS MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN OFF WHEN OPENING THE DOOR. I'VE HEARD THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE MITSUBISHI BUT THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANYTHING DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. IF A RECALL OR REIMBURSEMENT ISN'T DONE, CAN'T THEY AT LEAST MAKE THE HANDLES BETTER WITH SOME KIND OF METAL REINFORCEMENT INSIDE THE HANDLE STRUCTURE INSTEAD OF JUST MAKING THEM OUT OF A RIGID PLASTIC??*AK

NHTSA ODI #10055210

Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2002
Structure

AFTER NEARLY SIX YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, THE SKIRTS AROUND THE CAR ARE COLLAPSING, THE PLASTIC PINS HOLDING THEM IN PLACE HAVE DETERIORATED AND I HAVE LOST THE RIGHT HAND PASSENGER SIDE SKIRT ALTOGETHER. MITSHUBISHI REFUSES TO REPLACE IT OR FIX THE REST SO THAT THEY WON'T FALL EITHER. I AM FACING HAVING TO PURCHASE A FULL NEW SET. T…

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AFTER NEARLY SIX YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, THE SKIRTS AROUND THE CAR ARE COLLAPSING, THE PLASTIC PINS HOLDING THEM IN PLACE HAVE DETERIORATED AND I HAVE LOST THE RIGHT HAND PASSENGER SIDE SKIRT ALTOGETHER. MITSHUBISHI REFUSES TO REPLACE IT OR FIX THE REST SO THAT THEY WON'T FALL EITHER. I AM FACING HAVING TO PURCHASE A FULL NEW SET. THIS IS NOT WEAR AND TEAR AS WHEN THE PAINT FINALLY PEELS OFF, THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE USED POOR EQUIPMENT AND I HAVE NOTICED THEIR NEWER VERSIONS NO LONGER HAVE THE REMOVABLE SKIRTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #766642

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2002
Structure

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THIS USALLY HAPPENED WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO OPEN THE CAR DOOR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8008485

Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2000
Structure

TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO MY INQUIRY INTO THIS MATTER MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE BECAME DETACHED WITH NO EXCESSIVE FORCE INVOLVED. TAKEN AS A TYPICAL OCCURRENCE INQUIRY TO THE DEALERSHIP WAS NEVER MADE. HOWEVER, 2 WEEKS AGO THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE BECAME DISCONNECTED IN THE SAME MANNER. AFTER PHONING THE DEALERSHIP AND MITS…

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TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO MY INQUIRY INTO THIS MATTER MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE BECAME DETACHED WITH NO EXCESSIVE FORCE INVOLVED. TAKEN AS A TYPICAL OCCURRENCE INQUIRY TO THE DEALERSHIP WAS NEVER MADE. HOWEVER, 2 WEEKS AGO THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE BECAME DISCONNECTED IN THE SAME MANNER. AFTER PHONING THE DEALERSHIP AND MITSUBISHI HOT LINE I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM, YET THER HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS INCURRED. RESULTING IN MY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE IN THE AMOUT OF OVER 250 DOLLARS. MY QUESTION IS THAT IF THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBELM, WHY SHOULD THE CONSUMER BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANUFACTURER'S DEFEFCT. I WOULD APPRECIATE A TIMELY INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER AND A PROMPT RESPONSE TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS LISTED ABOVE, AS I FEEL A FAULTY MANUFACTURING DEFECT SHOULD NOT BE AT FAULT OF THE COMSUMER. REGARDS J. JOSEPH. *AK

NHTSA ODI #738006

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

SUNROOF DOES NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY BY MOTOR, AND NEED ALLAN WRENCH TO CLOSE IT; POWER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK; WINDOW GLASS RATTLES AND IS LOOSE AT WEATHERSTRIP; FUEL VAPORS SMELLED PERIODICALLY, PARTICULARLY ON HOT DAYS; HORN WORKS INTERMITTENTLY; A/C COMPRESSOR BEARING FAILED; BURNS OIL (MECHANIC SAID NEEDS VALVE JOB); BRAKE RO…

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SUNROOF DOES NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY BY MOTOR, AND NEED ALLAN WRENCH TO CLOSE IT; POWER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK; WINDOW GLASS RATTLES AND IS LOOSE AT WEATHERSTRIP; FUEL VAPORS SMELLED PERIODICALLY, PARTICULARLY ON HOT DAYS; HORN WORKS INTERMITTENTLY; A/C COMPRESSOR BEARING FAILED; BURNS OIL (MECHANIC SAID NEEDS VALVE JOB); BRAKE ROTORS OVERHEAT CONSTANTLY, CAUSING VIBRATION DURING BRAKING. HAVE HAD THEM RESURFACED NUMEROUS TIMES AND REPLACED ONCE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #721573

Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 1996
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicStructureCrash

MASTER CYLINDER FAILED RESULTINGIN AN ACCIDENT; ALSO REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS; VEHICLE HESITATES/BUCKS ON ACCELERATION AND HAS FAST IDLE; ALSO, HORNS INOPERABLE AND REPLACED BOTH REAR HATCH STRUTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #803172

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingStructure

BRAKE LIGHT BROKEN AWAY FROM REAR SPOILER.

NHTSA ODI #507254

Official recalls

5

00V421001 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

Dec 18, 2000

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.

Consequence & remedy

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.

99V066001 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

Apr 5, 1999

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RUBBER BOOTS, AND IF THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THEY WILL REPLACE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM AND BALL JOINT ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

98V069001 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Mar 26, 1998

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.

96V158001 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Aug 27, 1996

THE FUEL TANK GASKETS FOR THE FUEL PUMP AND/OR GAUGE UNIT GASKET COULD HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED ALLOWING FUEL OR FUMES TO ESCAPE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THE FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND IF THE GASKETS ARE FOUND TO BE LEAKING, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, CAPS AND GASKETS.

94V149002 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

Aug 8, 1994

THE HEADLAMP SUPPORT PANEL CAN DEVELOP A FATIGUE CRACK WHERE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) HYDRAULIC UNIT IS ATTACHED, ALLOWING THE HYDRAULIC UNIT TO FALL DOWN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKING CAN RESULT IF THE ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT FALLS. THIS CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CONNECT THE ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT ATTACHMENT POINT AT A RIGID PORTION OF THE HEADLAMP SUPPORT PANEL WITH A BRACKET AND REINFORCE THE HEADLAMP SUPPORT PANEL BY ADDING A BACK PLATE.

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

RQ00015 · Lower Contrtol Arm Ball Joint

Opened Aug 2, 2000 · Closed Apr 20, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

There is no summary currently available

Additional source detail variants (3)

Suspension

There is no summary currently available

Suspension

There is no summary currently available

Suspension

There is no summary currently available

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.