NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
159 reportsMileage unknown · Aug 3, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS SITE AND DEDUCED THAT MITSUBISHI HAS PRODUCED A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT IN THE 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE RE: DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET AND WHICH LEADS TO WORN OUT VALVE SEALS . ON JULY 29TH 2005 THE MITSUBISHI CORPORATION SUED ITS PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS AND FORMER EXECUTIVES FOR DEFECT AND RECALL COVER UPS FOR "64,000 …
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I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS SITE AND DEDUCED THAT MITSUBISHI HAS PRODUCED A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT IN THE 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE RE: DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET AND WHICH LEADS TO WORN OUT VALVE SEALS . ON JULY 29TH 2005 THE MITSUBISHI CORPORATION SUED ITS PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS AND FORMER EXECUTIVES FOR DEFECT AND RECALL COVER UPS FOR "64,000 COMPLAINTS FILED BY CAR OWNERS DATING BACK TO 1977." ANYONE INTERESTED IN A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT? CONTACT ME!! *NM
NHTSA ODI #10131427
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
(1) BOUGHT CAR USED, IT HAD A BAD REAR MAIN SEAL. (2) CAR PASSES GEORGIA EMISSION INSPECTION (3) REPLACE REAR MAIN SEAL (4) NOW VEHICLE BLOWS SMOKE WHILE STANDING STILL IN TRAFFIC. (5) REPAIR OF LEAKING VALVE COVER GASKET (6) STILL SMOKING WHILE IN GEAR (7) INFORMED OF VALVE SEALS BEING BAD.. (8) NEVER BUY MISTUBISHI AGA…
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(1) BOUGHT CAR USED, IT HAD A BAD REAR MAIN SEAL. (2) CAR PASSES GEORGIA EMISSION INSPECTION (3) REPLACE REAR MAIN SEAL (4) NOW VEHICLE BLOWS SMOKE WHILE STANDING STILL IN TRAFFIC. (5) REPAIR OF LEAKING VALVE COVER GASKET (6) STILL SMOKING WHILE IN GEAR (7) INFORMED OF VALVE SEALS BEING BAD.. (8) NEVER BUY MISTUBISHI AGAIN. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10131390
120,000 miles · Aug 1, 2005
Suspension
DT: FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT FAILURE. CONTACT SAID THE WHEEL AND BALL JOINT FELL OFF. CALLER RECEIVED RECALL 04V421001 CONCERNING BALL JOINTS WHEN CALLER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO THE DEALER SAID IT WAS OKAY. THEN ON T JULY 0, 2005 SHE HEARD A POP AND THE VEHICLE DROPPED. CALLER WAS GOING ABOUT 40 MPH.…
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DT: FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT FAILURE. CONTACT SAID THE WHEEL AND BALL JOINT FELL OFF. CALLER RECEIVED RECALL 04V421001 CONCERNING BALL JOINTS WHEN CALLER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO THE DEALER SAID IT WAS OKAY. THEN ON T JULY 0, 2005 SHE HEARD A POP AND THE VEHICLE DROPPED. CALLER WAS GOING ABOUT 40 MPH. CALLER HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. SHE HAS NOT SPOKEN TO THEM YET. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10130753
80,000 miles · Jan 27, 2005
Power Train
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LEAK WITHIN THE TRANSFER CASE. OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED FOR THE RECALL ONCE ALREADY DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WILL NOT INSPECT AGAIN THE VEHICLE FOR THIS DEFECT. OWNER WAS TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS THE OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY.…
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VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LEAK WITHIN THE TRANSFER CASE. OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED FOR THE RECALL ONCE ALREADY DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WILL NOT INSPECT AGAIN THE VEHICLE FOR THIS DEFECT. OWNER WAS TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS THE OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10109035
40,000 miles · Jul 26, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAR WAS IDLING AT A VERY LOW RPM. I HAD THE CAR SERVICED AND WAS STILL IDLING VERY LOW. WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR WANTED TO STALL. MEANING THE RPMS DROPPED TO ZERO AND THEN THE IDLE JUMPED EXTREMELY HIGH FOR A FEW SECONDS. A FEW DAYS LATER THE CAR STARTED TO STALL WHEN STOPPING OR GOING AROUND TURNS AT A VERY SLOW SPEED…
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CAR WAS IDLING AT A VERY LOW RPM. I HAD THE CAR SERVICED AND WAS STILL IDLING VERY LOW. WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR WANTED TO STALL. MEANING THE RPMS DROPPED TO ZERO AND THEN THE IDLE JUMPED EXTREMELY HIGH FOR A FEW SECONDS. A FEW DAYS LATER THE CAR STARTED TO STALL WHEN STOPPING OR GOING AROUND TURNS AT A VERY SLOW SPEED. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM HOOK THE CAR UP TO A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. NOTHING REGISTERED ON THE MACHINE. CAR DID NOT STALL FOR THE DEALER, BUT DID STALL FOR ME EVERY TIME AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP OR MECHANICS GARAGE. I THEN PAID MORE ATTENTION TO WHEN THE CAR WOULD STALL. IT WOULD ONLY STALL OR SHUT OFF DURING THE VERY COLD WINTERS AND EVERY TIME IT RAINED.... AFTER TWO DAYS OR SO AFTER A RAIN, THE CAR SEEMED TO DRY OUT AND RUN FINE. I LATER WAS TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE BOTTLE NEEDS TO BE CLEANED OUT. I HAD THIS DONE AND THE CAR IMPROVED. I HAVE TO CLEAN THE CARB OUT OF THE CAR AFTER WE HAVE RAINY DAYS. I WAS PAYING ABOUT $60 FOR A MECHANIC TO DO THIS FOR ME. I WOULD ONLY RESORT TO A MECHANIC AFTER I CANT DEAL WITH PRESSING THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME WHEN STOPPING OR TURNING AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED. SO TODAY 7-25-04, I WENT TO THE LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE AND BOUGH CARB CLEANER AND SPRAYED ABOUT 1/4 OF THE CAN AND CLEANED OUT WHAT I COULD REACH OF THE GUM AND BUILD-UP IN THE CARB. AT FIRST THE CAR DOES NOT WANT TO START BUT THEN AFTER PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL A FEW TIMES, TONS OF WHITE SMOKE POOR OUT OF THE EXHAUST. THEN THE CAR IDEALS MUCH BETTER THAN BEFORE, MEANING I DON'T HAVE TO PRESS BOTH THE BRAKE AND GAS AT THE SAME TIME. I WAS TOLD ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THAT THIS PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY SOMETHING THAT DEALS WITH THE THROTTLE BODY. I DO NOT HAVE $300 + TO FIX THIS, BUT I DO HAVE 1/2 HOUR A COUPLE TIMES A MONTH TO CLEAN THE CARB OUT OF MY CAR. THIS IS THE BIGGEST COMPLAIT BESIDES, MY ROTORS, THAT I HAVE WITH MY CAR. THE CAR IS NOT ENJOYABLE ANYMORE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10082632
16,000 miles · Jul 26, 2004
Structure
BOUGHT CAR IN NOV 1996. ABOUT 5 MONTHS OR SO AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR, THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR CAN DETACHED FROM THE CEILING. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT A COVERED WARRANTY SERVICE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE THREADS NEEDED TO BE REDONE AND THAT THEY WERE STRIPPED. MY CAR ONLY HAD 16,000 MILES ON IT AT THIS TIME. SO THE DEALER …
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BOUGHT CAR IN NOV 1996. ABOUT 5 MONTHS OR SO AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR, THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR CAN DETACHED FROM THE CEILING. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT A COVERED WARRANTY SERVICE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE THREADS NEEDED TO BE REDONE AND THAT THEY WERE STRIPPED. MY CAR ONLY HAD 16,000 MILES ON IT AT THIS TIME. SO THE DEALER APPARENTLY FIXED IT. BUT THEY DIDN'T. WHEN I PUT MY SUN VISOR DOWN THE VISOR SLIPS OUT OF THE PLASTIC HOLDER AND FLIES FORWARD. SOMETIMES THIS HAS ALMOST COST ME MANY ACCIDENTS. SO I LEAVE THE VISOR FORWARD UNTIL I CAN GRAB IT AND TRY TO PUT IT BACK IN PLACE AND HOPE IT STAYS. THE UNIT IS NOT FULLY SECURE. YOU CAN TELL BY LOOKING AT IT, THAT THE VISOR HOLDER WAS REINSTALLED, POORLY. THE VISOR DOES NOT STAY LOCKED IN PLACE WHEN IN USE OR NOT IN USE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10082630
80,000 miles · Jul 25, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
MAINTAINED REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT I HAD AN OIL LEAK IN MY ENGINE. I SAVED ENOUGH MONEY TO HAVE THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED TO FIX THE OIL LEAK. THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED (NEW) IN MARCH OF 2000. 4 MONTHS LATER MY CAR STARTED TO SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST WHEN STANDING STILL IN TRAFFIC. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHI…
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MAINTAINED REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT I HAD AN OIL LEAK IN MY ENGINE. I SAVED ENOUGH MONEY TO HAVE THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED TO FIX THE OIL LEAK. THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED (NEW) IN MARCH OF 2000. 4 MONTHS LATER MY CAR STARTED TO SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST WHEN STANDING STILL IN TRAFFIC. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS DUE TO THE WORK THAT THEY DID. I WAS THEN INFORMED THAT I NEED MY VALUE GUIDES REPLACED. I WAS GOING TO HAVE THIS WORK DONE UNTIL I WAS INFORMED THAT IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE VALUE GUIDES IN THE ENGINE, I MUST PURCHASE ANOTHER NEW HEAD GASKET. I ASKED WHY THIS WAS NOT INSPECTED AT THE TIME THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED. MY ANSWER WAS THAT I DID NOT ASK THEM TO CHECK THE VALUE GUIDES. IF THIS WOULD OF BEEN CORRECTED AT THIS TIME, I WOULD NOT BE SPENDING TONS OF MONEY ON OIL FOR MY VEHICLE. SINCE 2000, I CHECK THE OIL IN MY CAR EVERY OTHER DAY AND ADD OIL TO THE ENGINE. THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR ME. I DO NOT HAVE ANOTHER $1000 PLUS TO FIX THIS. I'VE SPOKE WITH OTHER FRIENDS AND PEOPLE WHO OWN THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE AND THEY AS WELL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR LEAKING HEAD GASKET AND VALUE GUIDES, MAKING THE CAR SMOKE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10082626
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
105,000 miles · Jul 16, 2004
Suspension
WHILE AT A STOP FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT FAILED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10082132
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2004
Suspension
CONSUMER TOOK VEHCILE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE INSPECTED, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10067399
Official recalls
4Dec 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.
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.
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.
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)
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.