IllustrationPASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG COVER IS PEELING. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THAT THE WHOLE AIR BAG UNIT NEEDS REPLACEMENT. MANUFACTURER INFORMED THAT VEHICLE WARRANTY WAS OUT AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER.*AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Eclipse years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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: 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
What owners actually said
307 reportsWHILE DRVING AT SPEEDS OF 40MPH AND OVER VEHICLE WILL SHUTDOWN AND DIE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK
WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEWOUT, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 BRAND NEW BATTERIES WHICH WERE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BECAUSE THEY WERE TOTALLY DRAINED. I BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THERE IS NOTHING THAT I HAVE DONE THAT SHOULD HAVE CAUSED THE BATTERIES TO DIE. THE BLOWER ON THE AIR CONDITIONER/HEAT DOESN'T WORK AND THE DEALER STATE…
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I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 BRAND NEW BATTERIES WHICH WERE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BECAUSE THEY WERE TOTALLY DRAINED. I BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THERE IS NOTHING THAT I HAVE DONE THAT SHOULD HAVE CAUSED THE BATTERIES TO DIE. THE BLOWER ON THE AIR CONDITIONER/HEAT DOESN'T WORK AND THE DEALER STATES THAT THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE COVER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS PRYING UP FROM THE DASHBOARD. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES REPLACE 2 TIMES ALL READY AND NOW ALL THE ROTORS ARE WARPED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. I THINK THIS VEHICLE MAKE HAS VERY SERIOUS DEFECTS AND AFTER REVIEWING OTHER CONSUMERS PROBLEMS. I'M VERY GLAD THAT I PLAN TO SELL MINE VERY SHORTLY.
AFTER FILLING AT GAS STATION CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE AT WHICH TIME THE THE HEAD ON THE SECOND CYLINDER MADE A LOUD NOISE AND SPARK PLUG AND PART OF THE ENGINE HEAD WERE FUSED AND RELEASED FROM THE ENGINE. NLM
PE00 020 ; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 20MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND FELT THE VEHICLE VIBRATING. REACHING A BRIDGE, TIRE POPPED AND RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. CONSUMER CONTACTED FIRESTONE, AND AN ATTENDANT TOLD HER THAT HER VEHICLE WASN'T INCLUDED. *AK
ABS NON-FUNCTIONING, BRAKES WORK OK BUT LOCK, DEALER QUOTED $3000 FOR REPAIR!! *AK
DEALERSHIPS MAKE NO EFFORT TO SOLVE PROBLEMS, SIMPLY SAY THAT THEY DON'T SEE IT UPON INSPECTION.
WHEN DRIVING AT 35 MPH ON HIGHWAY IN THE FAST LANE CLUTCH WENT COMPLETELY OUT, CAUSING LOSS OF ACCELERATION. VEHICLE WENT INTO A COAST. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER NOTED UNUSUAL SIGNS WHEN REMOVING THE CLUTCH, AND CLUTCH WAS REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
MY '95 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GSX AT 50K(1/99) HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CLUTCH AND SHORTBLOCK. WELL IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS FIXED. NOW I HAVE 80K(8/22) AND I'M HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I'VE SPOKEN WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD BY TODD MASON THAT IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH TURBO ECLIPSE'S. MITSU ONLY OFFERED TO PAY …
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MY '95 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GSX AT 50K(1/99) HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CLUTCH AND SHORTBLOCK. WELL IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS FIXED. NOW I HAVE 80K(8/22) AND I'M HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I'VE SPOKEN WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD BY TODD MASON THAT IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH TURBO ECLIPSE'S. MITSU ONLY OFFERED TO PAY FOR A NEW SHORTBLOCK BUT LEFT ME TO PAY THE LABOR WHICH WOULD BE IN THE THOUSANDS. THEY SAID IT'S NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS THAT 30K IS NOT ENOUGH MILES OR TIME FOR THE CLUTCH AND SHORTBLOCK TO BREAK DOWN AGAIN AND IT'S THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL IT'S A MITSU DEFECT IN DESIGN. I DO NOT WANT TO PAY BIG BUCK EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENS. IF IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM I SAY THEY SHOULD DO A RECALL ON IT. HELP WHAT DO I DO? HOW DO I ARGUE MY POINT??? EVERYBODY SEEMS TO AGREE WITH ME, CO-WORKERS, DEALERSHIP, MITSU CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON. EVERYBODY BUT THE DEALER REP WHO HAS TO AUTHORIZE THE WORK. I'VE KEPT THE CAR IN GOOD CONDITION AND HAVE HAD ALL MY REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTANCE DONE.
Official recalls
500V421001 · 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
4RQ00015 · 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.