IllustrationWHILE SITTING AT AN INTERSECTION ANOTHER DRIVER ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STREET RAN A RED LIGHT AND HIT THE VEHICLE HEAD ON. THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *MR
1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Eclipse years
Owner complaints for the 1996 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: 21 of 159 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.
- Suspension. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
25 crash reports5 fire reports8 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
17 reportsAIR BAG FAILURES- FRONT. *AK
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER BECAUSE SRS AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER STATED THAT BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AIR BAGS HAVE NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED. CONSUMER CONCERNED THAT AIR BAGS COULD DEPLOY W/O WARNING OR NOT DEPLOY AT ALL IN A COLLISION. VEHICLE MANUAL CLEARLY STATED THAT AIRBAG SYSTEM…
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CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER BECAUSE SRS AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER STATED THAT BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AIR BAGS HAVE NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED. CONSUMER CONCERNED THAT AIR BAGS COULD DEPLOY W/O WARNING OR NOT DEPLOY AT ALL IN A COLLISION. VEHICLE MANUAL CLEARLY STATED THAT AIRBAG SYSTEM SHOULD BE INSPECTED EVERY 10 YRS. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, WHO ADVISED CONSUMER THAT WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH IN A "MISTY" LIGHT RAIN VEHICLE HIT AN EMBANKMENT HEAD-ON WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER THREE TIMES. CONSUMER RECEIVED NO INJURIES, BUT WAS EXAMINED FOR TRAUMA. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING THIS INCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS AVAILABLE FOR EXAMINATION, AND HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY ANYONE. *A…
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WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH IN A "MISTY" LIGHT RAIN VEHICLE HIT AN EMBANKMENT HEAD-ON WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER THREE TIMES. CONSUMER RECEIVED NO INJURIES, BUT WAS EXAMINED FOR TRAUMA. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING THIS INCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS AVAILABLE FOR EXAMINATION, AND HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY ANYONE. *AK *JB
PRIOR TO EXPIRATION OF WARRANTY, DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG WAS DETERMINED BY DEALERSHIP THAT AIRBAG WAS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE HORN WOULD NOT WORK. IN JANUARY 2001 I HAD THE CAR IN FOR A HEAD GASKET AND SKED FOR THE HORN TO BE CHECKED AGAIN AND IT WAS DETERMINED ONCE AGAIN THAT THE AIRBAG WAS DEFECTIVE. I SAW IN THE PAPER THAT MITSUBISHI WA…
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PRIOR TO EXPIRATION OF WARRANTY, DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG WAS DETERMINED BY DEALERSHIP THAT AIRBAG WAS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE HORN WOULD NOT WORK. IN JANUARY 2001 I HAD THE CAR IN FOR A HEAD GASKET AND SKED FOR THE HORN TO BE CHECKED AGAIN AND IT WAS DETERMINED ONCE AGAIN THAT THE AIRBAG WAS DEFECTIVE. I SAW IN THE PAPER THAT MITSUBISHI WAS RECALLING CALLS DUE TO FAULTY AIRBAGS (2/01). I REFUSE TO PAY $600 FOR SOMETHING THAT IS DEFECTIVE A 2ND TIME AND I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THE CAR.
THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG HAS A RATTLE FROM WITHIN THE MODULE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY WHAT THE CAUSE OF THE RATTLE IS. I'M AFRAID THAT EITHER THE AIRBAG WON'T PROPERLY DEPLOY (LIKE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS) OR THAT A PROJECTILE WILL ACCOMPANY THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG AND INJURE, OR POSSIBLY KILL, THE PASSENGER. …
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THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG HAS A RATTLE FROM WITHIN THE MODULE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY WHAT THE CAUSE OF THE RATTLE IS. I'M AFRAID THAT EITHER THE AIRBAG WON'T PROPERLY DEPLOY (LIKE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS) OR THAT A PROJECTILE WILL ACCOMPANY THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG AND INJURE, OR POSSIBLY KILL, THE PASSENGER. DEALER DOESN'T WANT TO REPLACE THE MODULE AT NO CHARGE. *AK
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 40 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
VEHICLE REAR ENDEDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT ABOUT 35MPH, AND NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUFFERED INJURY TO HEAD FROM STEERING WHEEL. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. IT SLID OFF THE ROAD INTO AN ENBANKMENT AND ROLLED OVER INTO A COMPLETE TURN. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPOLY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. *AK
CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A TRUCK GOING ABOUT 65MPH AND THE AIR BAGS NOT DID DEPLOY. *AK
Official recalls
400V421001 · 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.
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.