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1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Eclipse years

Owner complaints for the 1998 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

36 reports with mileage · 93 unknown

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.

  • Power Train. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 18 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 reports5 fire reports12 injury reports

Suspension complaints

12 reports
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200,000 miles · Feb 26, 2016
SuspensionCrash

"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE REPLACED MY CONTROL ARMS ABOUT 4 TIMES NOW IN THE PAST 2 YEARS. I HAVE IT FIXED AND THEN THE SQUEAKING ALWAYS COMES BACK LASTS ABOUT 6 MONTHS THEN THE LOWER BALL JOINT BREAKS. LAST TIME IT BROKE I WAS GOING ABOUT 40 MPH, IT WAS VERY SCARY. THE PICTURE I SENT WAS TAKEN ON 7/28/2014. THOUGH THE LAST TIME IT …

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"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE REPLACED MY CONTROL ARMS ABOUT 4 TIMES NOW IN THE PAST 2 YEARS. I HAVE IT FIXED AND THEN THE SQUEAKING ALWAYS COMES BACK LASTS ABOUT 6 MONTHS THEN THE LOWER BALL JOINT BREAKS. LAST TIME IT BROKE I WAS GOING ABOUT 40 MPH, IT WAS VERY SCARY. THE PICTURE I SENT WAS TAKEN ON 7/28/2014. THOUGH THE LAST TIME IT BROKE WAS ON 6/20/2015.

NHTSA ODI #10838659

200,000 miles · Feb 26, 2016
SuspensionCrash

"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE REPLACED MY CONTROL ARMS ABOUT 4 TIMES NOW IN THE PAST 2 YEARS. I HAVE IT FIXED AND THEN THE SQUEAKING ALWAYS COMES BACK, LAST ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND THEN LOWER BALL JOINT BREAKS. LAST TIME IT BROKE I WAS GOING ABOUT 40MPH, IT WAS VERY SCARY. THE PICTURE I SENT WAS TAKEN ON 7/28/14. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED W…

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"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE REPLACED MY CONTROL ARMS ABOUT 4 TIMES NOW IN THE PAST 2 YEARS. I HAVE IT FIXED AND THEN THE SQUEAKING ALWAYS COMES BACK, LAST ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND THEN LOWER BALL JOINT BREAKS. LAST TIME IT BROKE I WAS GOING ABOUT 40MPH, IT WAS VERY SCARY. THE PICTURE I SENT WAS TAKEN ON 7/28/14. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS ON 6/20/15 AND I HAVE HAD IT REPLACED SINCE.

NHTSA ODI #10838656

137,077 miles · Oct 17, 2007
SteeringSuspension

RATTLING/CLACKING WHEN DRIVING SLOWING ON ROUGH ROAD. FOUND RIGHT FRONT LOWER LATERAL ARM HAS A LOT OF PLAY AND ALSO INNER AND OUTER TIRE ROD ENDS HAVE A LOT OF PLAY. THE FRONT LOWER LATERAL ARM TO SUSPENSION AND EVERYTHING DROPPED PRIOR GETTING TO DEALERSHIP TO INSPECT AND FIX IT. MORE DAMAGES INCURRED FOR BROKEN SUSPENSION, T…

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RATTLING/CLACKING WHEN DRIVING SLOWING ON ROUGH ROAD. FOUND RIGHT FRONT LOWER LATERAL ARM HAS A LOT OF PLAY AND ALSO INNER AND OUTER TIRE ROD ENDS HAVE A LOT OF PLAY. THE FRONT LOWER LATERAL ARM TO SUSPENSION AND EVERYTHING DROPPED PRIOR GETTING TO DEALERSHIP TO INSPECT AND FIX IT. MORE DAMAGES INCURRED FOR BROKEN SUSPENSION, TIE RODS AND LATERAL ARM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10206019

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2007
Suspension

1998 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE TURBO CUSTOMER STATES THAT LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR, IT BROKE DOWN IN THE PARKING LOT. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE CAME OFF CRASHING TO THE GROUND**CC THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WAS APART OF A RECALL, HOWEVER SHE WAS TOLD BY CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEE…

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1998 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE TURBO CUSTOMER STATES THAT LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR, IT BROKE DOWN IN THE PARKING LOT. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE CAME OFF CRASHING TO THE GROUND**CC THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WAS APART OF A RECALL, HOWEVER SHE WAS TOLD BY CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO TOLD THAT BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A MITSUBISHI DEALER THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10185827

Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2006
Suspension

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS PULLING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY IN HIS 1998 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE WHEN HIS LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD ONLY REACHED A SPEED OF 7 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10176959

92,000 miles · Feb 8, 2006
Suspension

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED PRIOR TO PURCHASE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE LOWER BALL JOINTS, #00V421001. THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED, BUT THE VEHICLE HAD THE FAILURE ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL AGAIN. SINCE PURCHASE, THE STEERING WAS POOR AND THEN THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED PRIOR TO PURCHASE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE LOWER BALL JOINTS, #00V421001. THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED, BUT THE VEHICLE HAD THE FAILURE ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL AGAIN. SINCE PURCHASE, THE STEERING WAS POOR AND THEN THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE LOWER BALL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10149712

70,000 miles · Mar 28, 2005
Suspension

WHEN DRIVING ANY SPEED, THE CONSUMER WOULD HEAR A CRACKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER OF A WORN LOWER BALL JOINT. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *JB THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE INTERNET AND SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON HER MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE FOR FAULTY BALL JOINTS. THE VEH…

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WHEN DRIVING ANY SPEED, THE CONSUMER WOULD HEAR A CRACKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER OF A WORN LOWER BALL JOINT. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *JB THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE INTERNET AND SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON HER MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE FOR FAULTY BALL JOINTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CLOSEST MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE. *BF *NM

NHTSA ODI #10107444

71,000 miles · Dec 22, 2003
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE MAKING LOUD NOISES. DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10051927

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2003
Suspension

THERE WAS A CRACKING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED, CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING THE BALL JOINT, HOWEVER THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS REBUILT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10009631

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

CONSUMER STATES MANUAL TRANSMISSION (CLUTCH) WENT OUT IN 1 YEAR AT 20,000 MILES.*JB

NHTSA ODI #785511

Official recalls

4

04V428000 · Equipment:other:labels

Sep 1, 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

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.

98V045001 · Vehicle Speed Control

Mar 3, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DASH PANEL PAD CAN SHIFT INTERFERRING WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE A PORTION OF THE DASH PANEL PAD SO IT CANNOT INTERFERE WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.

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.