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1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Eclipse years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse are substantially higher than the model-year median of 49.

About this comparison →
136Owner complaints

Model-year median: 49

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
34
1994307
1995159
1996136
1997129
1998120
1999308
2000
Compare all Eclipse years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
41Power Train
22Suspension
16Air Bags
14Structure
10
All reported categories
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
9Wheels
8Steering
7Vehicle Speed Control
7Visibility
7Tires
6Fuel System, Gasoline
5Electrical System
4Exterior Lighting
4Seat Belts
2Seats
2Unknown Or Other
2Equipment
1Service Brakes, Air
1

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: 23 of 136 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 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports6 fire reports11 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

9 reports
Clear category filter
158,065 miles · Sep 7, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingPower Train

I HAVE OWNED MY CARE FOR 3 YEARS. IN THAT TIME I HAVE HAD A LEAKING SUNROOF, BROKEN PASSENGER REAR VIEW MIRROR, BROKEN PASSENGER WINDOW "WONT ROLL UP", NUMEROUS TIRE CHANGES, BAD VIBRATION, HORRIBLE NOISES WHEN TURNING WHEEL, HAVE REPLACED 2 TRANSMISSIONS, BOTH TIE ROD ENDS, 1 LOWER BALL JOINT AND CONTROL ARM SUSPENSION BAR"MORE…

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I HAVE OWNED MY CARE FOR 3 YEARS. IN THAT TIME I HAVE HAD A LEAKING SUNROOF, BROKEN PASSENGER REAR VIEW MIRROR, BROKEN PASSENGER WINDOW "WONT ROLL UP", NUMEROUS TIRE CHANGES, BAD VIBRATION, HORRIBLE NOISES WHEN TURNING WHEEL, HAVE REPLACED 2 TRANSMISSIONS, BOTH TIE ROD ENDS, 1 LOWER BALL JOINT AND CONTROL ARM SUSPENSION BAR"MORE INFO ON THIS BELOW", ALTERNATOR, BOTH HEADLIGHTS, 4 DIFFERANT SEATS OF BREAKS, 2 SEATS CONSTINTLY RUNNING LOW ON OIL, REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER, SEAT BELTS DON'T STOP, BATTERY CABLES KEEP CARODING, REPLACE SPARK PLUGS ATLEAST 3 TO 4 TIMES A YEAR, VIBRATES WHEN GOING DOWN ROAD. THOSE ARE JUST THE THINGS OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD THAT I HAVE DONE TO THIS CAR. NOW TO THE ACCIDENT. AFTER I GOT OFF WORK I WAS ON MY WAY HOME WHEN I DECIDED TO GO TO MY FRIENDS SO WHILE DRIVING TO HER HOUSE I HEAR A LOUD POP AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW MY CAR IS CONTROLING ITSELF AND I CAN'T STEER IT. THIS WAS ALL DO TO MY LOWER BALL JOINT SHATTERING AND MY WHEEL ALMOST COMPLETLY DETACHING FROM MY CAR. NOW THE OTHER SIDE IS STARTING TO MAKE THAT HORRIBLE NOISE. THE CONTROL ARM SWUNG ON THE BOTTUM OF MY CAR AFTER IT BROKE DURING THIS AND TORE OUT MY OIL FILTER, OIL PAN, AND OXYGEN SENSEOR. HAVE YET TO RECIEVE ANY INFORMATION FROM MITSUBISHI.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10090522

Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE MOVED IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10067286

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH AND ABS SYSTEM LOCKED UP. VEHICLE STARTED SPINNING, AND THEN HIT MEDIAN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #883830

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2001
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH MANUAL TRANSMISSION WILL STAY IN ONE GEAR, AND CLUTCH PEDAL WILL ALWAYS GO TO FLOOR AND WILL STAY THERE UNTIL ENGINE IS TURNED OFF, THEN RESTARTED. VEHICLE WILL START WORKING AGAIN. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED MASTER AND SLAVE CYLINDER. TRANSFER CASE LEAKS AND THE CONSUMER WAS STILL EXPERIENCING GEAR…

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WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH MANUAL TRANSMISSION WILL STAY IN ONE GEAR, AND CLUTCH PEDAL WILL ALWAYS GO TO FLOOR AND WILL STAY THERE UNTIL ENGINE IS TURNED OFF, THEN RESTARTED. VEHICLE WILL START WORKING AGAIN. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED MASTER AND SLAVE CYLINDER. TRANSFER CASE LEAKS AND THE CONSUMER WAS STILL EXPERIENCING GEAR SHIFTING PROBLEM. *YH

NHTSA ODI #878474

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

THE CAR IS MISSING AND MAKES A KNOCKING SOUND, HARD VIBRATION WHEN IDLE AND CAR JERKS, DOES NOT SEEM TO SHIFT UP TO NEXT GEAR, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. HAVE TAKEN CARE INTO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR FOR SAME PROBLEM AT LEAST 7 TIMES. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS I REPORT TO THEM. WINDOWS ARE LOOSE, RATTLE, A…

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THE CAR IS MISSING AND MAKES A KNOCKING SOUND, HARD VIBRATION WHEN IDLE AND CAR JERKS, DOES NOT SEEM TO SHIFT UP TO NEXT GEAR, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. HAVE TAKEN CARE INTO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR FOR SAME PROBLEM AT LEAST 7 TIMES. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS I REPORT TO THEM. WINDOWS ARE LOOSE, RATTLE, AND LEAK. I HAVE HAD THEM TIGHTENED SEVERAL TIMES. I SENT A LETTER TO DAVE MCKENZIE (VP OF SERVICE AND ENGINEERING AT MITSUBISHI) IN 10/98. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE.

NHTSA ODI #714548

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 1998
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER'S SON WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT. HE WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO THE INTERSECTION, AND A CAR WAS SITTING IN TRAFFIC AND HIS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE DID NOT WORK. ALSO, ANTI LOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP AND HE COULDN'T STOP. *AK

NHTSA ODI #829085

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, HAVING TO REPLACE THE BRAKE ROTORS TWICE. PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #825848

Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 1998
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

BRAKES: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH, TRUCK AHEAD OF THE ECLIPSE HAD COME TO STOP, APPLIED BRAKES AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES. CAR ACCELERATED AS IF THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON, KEPT PUMPING BRAKES, BUT CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. WHEN BRAKES FINALLY KICKED IN CAR SLID UNDERNEATH TRUCK, DEMOLISHING FRONT END AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLO…

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BRAKES: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH, TRUCK AHEAD OF THE ECLIPSE HAD COME TO STOP, APPLIED BRAKES AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES. CAR ACCELERATED AS IF THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON, KEPT PUMPING BRAKES, BUT CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. WHEN BRAKES FINALLY KICKED IN CAR SLID UNDERNEATH TRUCK, DEMOLISHING FRONT END AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #820287

Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 1997
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY ABOUT 40 MPH; APPLIED FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A SKID. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #815990

Official recalls

3

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.

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.

97V081001 · Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint

May 12, 1997

THE HEADREST GUIDE BRACKET WAS IMPROPERLY WELDED TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK ASSEMBLIES ONLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE HEADREST SUPPORT BRACKET CAN BREAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY.

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

1

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.