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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 →

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

24 reports
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19,000 miles · Jul 25, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSTANT PULSATING OF BRAKES WHEN APPLYING THEM. TOOK CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THE 1ST TIME AND HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED. MITSUBISHI PAID FOR 1/2 OF THE COST AND I PAID THE REST. THIS WAS IN 1998. THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAVE THE ROTORS REPLACED, THE VIBRATING OF THE BRAKE PEDAL CAME BACK WITHIN 2 WEEKS. SINCE THEN, I HAVE REPLAC…

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CONSTANT PULSATING OF BRAKES WHEN APPLYING THEM. TOOK CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THE 1ST TIME AND HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED. MITSUBISHI PAID FOR 1/2 OF THE COST AND I PAID THE REST. THIS WAS IN 1998. THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAVE THE ROTORS REPLACED, THE VIBRATING OF THE BRAKE PEDAL CAME BACK WITHIN 2 WEEKS. SINCE THEN, I HAVE REPLACED AND/OR TURNED DOWN MY ROTORS ON MY FRONT WHEELS OVER 7 TIMES. I DO NOT RIDE MY BRAKES EITHER. I'VE HAD MY ROTORS REPLACED BY NUMEROUS GARAGES. THE ROTORS IMPROVED TWICE DUE TO THE RECALL OF BALL JOINTS. WHEN I HAD MY CAR IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS RECALL AND I DROVE THE CAR HOME, THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT PULSATE FOR ABOUT 3 TO 4 WEEKS AFTER THE RECALL WAS MADE GOOD. I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY ON HAVING THE ROTORS REPLACED. IT'S GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE I CANNOT KEEP SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON ROTORS. I JUST DEAL WITH THE VIBRATING BRAKES AT THIS TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10082624

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8018585

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND BRAKING THE BRAKES AND /OR ROTORS SHUDDERS /SHAKE REAL BAD TO THE POINT OF THROWING OFF STERING CAPABILITY IN VEHICLE AND SHAKES MORE SO GOING DOWN HILL , I HAVE ALREADY HAD THEM REPLACED (BRAKES AND ROTORS) AND IT DID NOT HELP ANY I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM . *AK

NHTSA ODI #731223

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2000
Exterior LightingService Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES 4X'S. THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED. ISSUED COMPLAINT. DEALER UNHELPFUL. BREAKS SQUEAL LOUDLY EVEN AFTER BEING FIXED. SHOULD BE ABLE TO RETRIEVE NUMBER OF TIMES TAKEN TO DEALER IN THEIR SYSTEM. DANGEROUS. NOW CAR SHAKES WHEN STEPPING ON BREAKS. NEVER HAS COMPLETE FIX TO THIS PROBLEM. HUSBAND HAS HAD …

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I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES 4X'S. THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED. ISSUED COMPLAINT. DEALER UNHELPFUL. BREAKS SQUEAL LOUDLY EVEN AFTER BEING FIXED. SHOULD BE ABLE TO RETRIEVE NUMBER OF TIMES TAKEN TO DEALER IN THEIR SYSTEM. DANGEROUS. NOW CAR SHAKES WHEN STEPPING ON BREAKS. NEVER HAS COMPLETE FIX TO THIS PROBLEM. HUSBAND HAS HAD TO COMPLAIN TO THEM AS WELL ABOUT THE DANGER OF HAVING HIS WIFE DRIVE UNSAFELY. STILL NO FIX OR PROPER RESOLUTION.

NHTSA ODI #729502

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ROTORS AND BRAKES HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW. ROTORS HAVE TO BE RESURFACED EVERY 6 MONTHS, AND NEW BRAKES. THERE HAS BEEN NO CHARGE EXCEPT FOR BRAKES. NOW DEALERSHIP TELLS ME I HAVE TO PAY FOR NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS FOR THIS CHRONIC PROBLEM. MITSUBISHI MOTORS ADMITS THAT THIS IS AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM, BUT TH…

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ROTORS AND BRAKES HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW. ROTORS HAVE TO BE RESURFACED EVERY 6 MONTHS, AND NEW BRAKES. THERE HAS BEEN NO CHARGE EXCEPT FOR BRAKES. NOW DEALERSHIP TELLS ME I HAVE TO PAY FOR NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS FOR THIS CHRONIC PROBLEM. MITSUBISHI MOTORS ADMITS THAT THIS IS AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. DEALERSHIP SAYS TO PUT THE BLAME ON MITSUBISHI MOTORS. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR DUE TO BRAKES POSSIBLY FAILING. THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ODI #718013

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I PURCHASED MY MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE 2 YEARS AGO. I HAVE REPLACED THE PADS AND ROTORS ON MY CAR A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES. I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN THIS MONTH ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT I AGAIN NEED TO REPLACE MY ROTORS. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THEY MORE OR LESS TOLD ME THAT THE BRAKES WER…

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I PURCHASED MY MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE 2 YEARS AGO. I HAVE REPLACED THE PADS AND ROTORS ON MY CAR A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES. I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN THIS MONTH ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT I AGAIN NEED TO REPLACE MY ROTORS. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THEY MORE OR LESS TOLD ME THAT THE BRAKES WERE AN ENGINEERING FLAW. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MITSUBISHI CORPORATE OFFICE IN CALIFORNIA. AT THIS TIME THEY ARE UNWILLING TO ASSIST ME WITH THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #713245

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 1998
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

VEHICLE CONTINUALLY HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH SHORT IN SYSTEM CAUSING BATTERY FAILURES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.

NHTSA ODI #542945

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 1998
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrash

CONSUMER HIT TRUCK HEAD-ON AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. DEFECT IN DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS CAUSED THE AIR BAGS NOT TO DEPLOY. NO WARNING WAS GIVEN THAT AIRBAGS WERE DEFECTIVE. ALSO VEHICLE HAS 2 BRAKE SYSTEMS, INCLUDING BACKUP PANIC BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH WAS INOPERATIVE, CAUSING THE ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #822608

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 1997
Exterior LightingSeatsService Brakes, Hydraulic

VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO SHAKE/STUTTER WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. WILL STOP AND LET GO WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. DEALER REPLACED ROTORS 3 TIMES, BOTH FRONT BRAKE PADS. CANNOT EXPLAIN PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES AT TIMES WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, THEY WILL SKIP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP AND THEN GO AND THEN STOP AGAIN, BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH …

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VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO SHAKE/STUTTER WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. WILL STOP AND LET GO WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. DEALER REPLACED ROTORS 3 TIMES, BOTH FRONT BRAKE PADS. CANNOT EXPLAIN PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES AT TIMES WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, THEY WILL SKIP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP AND THEN GO AND THEN STOP AGAIN, BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, CAUSING THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. SIGNAL LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK IN COLD WEATHER, DEALER ORDERED FLASHER ASSEMBLY. SEATS WOULD NOT WORK, THERE WAS MATERIAL BLOCKING THE LATCH FROM LOCKING. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #819059

Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCNING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. SHE HAS HAD THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER FOR THE FRONT BRAKES AND THE ROTORS. HAD BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED IN JULY/ AUGUST AND IN OCTOBER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #817004

Official recalls

4

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.

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.