IllustrationWHILE DRIVING 45 MPH HAD A DIRECT FRONTAL IMPACT, AND DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS IN THIS CRASH. DRIVER/PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
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
20–25K
625–50K
1050–75K
775–100K
8100–150K
3150K+
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
What owners actually said
129 reportsHAVE HAD TO HAVE CAR IN 7 TIMES FOR WARPED ROTORS AND BRAKES. DEALERSHIP EACH TIME HAS TOLD ME I HAVE TO PAY WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. I DID HAVE TO BUY NEW BRAKES WHILE CAR UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO WARPED ROTOR WEAR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL WARPED ROTORS AND BRAKES EVEN WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. MY BRAKES FEEL AS THOU…
Read full complaint
HAVE HAD TO HAVE CAR IN 7 TIMES FOR WARPED ROTORS AND BRAKES. DEALERSHIP EACH TIME HAS TOLD ME I HAVE TO PAY WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. I DID HAVE TO BUY NEW BRAKES WHILE CAR UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO WARPED ROTOR WEAR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL WARPED ROTORS AND BRAKES EVEN WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. MY BRAKES FEEL AS THOUGH THEY ARE GOING TO FAIL AND POSSIBLY CAUSE COLLISION. ALSO, TIRE JUST FELL OFF RIM DRIVING OUT OF PARKING LOT. HAD TO PUT NEW TIRES ON CAR AFTER 6 MONTHS OWNERSHIP. SUNROOF LEAKS. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR ONLY ONE YEAR AND SIX MONTHS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
I WAS DRIVING TO MANCHESTER FROM CONCORD. I HIT A PATCH OF SNOW OR BLACK ICE, I COULDN'T TELL, AND HIT A GUARDRAIL HEAD-ON GOING APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES PER HOUR. THE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS PUSHED IN AND THE FRONTAL IMPACT WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO POP OPEN THE TRUNK. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I ALMOST WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHI…
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING TO MANCHESTER FROM CONCORD. I HIT A PATCH OF SNOW OR BLACK ICE, I COULDN'T TELL, AND HIT A GUARDRAIL HEAD-ON GOING APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES PER HOUR. THE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS PUSHED IN AND THE FRONTAL IMPACT WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO POP OPEN THE TRUNK. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I ALMOST WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. I DIDN'T HAPPEN TO HAVE MY SEATBELT ON THIS TIME. THE ONLY THING THAT KEPT ME FROM GOING THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WAS THE FACT THAT I SIT SO CLOSE TO THE STEERING WHEEL THAT MY LEGS CAUGHT ON IT AND PUSHED ME DOWN. MY HEAD HIT THE WHEEL AND THEN BOUNCED BACK TO HIT THE METAL BARS ON MY HEADREST WHEREAS IT HAD POPPED UP ON IMPACT. I WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE I WAS TREATED FOR MINOR CONCUSSION, BRUISED RIBS, AND BACK AND NECK PAIN. THE BACK AND NECK PAIN ARE STILL HERE AND I AM TAKING MEDICATION FOR IT. I HAVE ASKED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT IT AND THEY ARE GIVING ME RUN-AROUND ANSWERS. I DO NOT THINK THAT IT SHOULD TAKE MORE THAN THAT TO SET OFF THE SENSORS. ANYMORE AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. I AM VERY THANKFUL NOONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR THEY VERY WELL MIGHT HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE LOOKED AT THE REPORTS AND HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE AIRBAGS, COULD YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS IT IS SERIOUS AND THE MANUFACTURER IS TELLING ME THAT IF I WANT IT INVESTIGATED THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. PLEASE E-MAIL ME OR FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR RESULTS. THANK YOU. *AK
TRANSMISSION POPS OUT OF GEAR THIS IS THE 3RD TIME. *AK
VEHICLE PURCHASED NEW, BUT WHEN TOOK FOR REALIGNMENT OF FRONT END, FOUND CERTAIN PARTS NEAR THE DAMAGED WHEEL HAD BEEN REPLACED BEFORE CUSTOMER BOUGHT CAR. ALLEGES THAT CAR WAS WRECKED AND RECONDITIONED BEFORE PURCHASE. OWNER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF CRASH AND WAS TOTAL THE CAR WAS NEW.
THE CAR WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW BUT HAD TIRED THAT WERE NEW BUT STORED PRIOR TO SALE FOR AT LEAST 2 YEARS. THEY HAVE LITTLE RUBBER BREAKAGES ALL OVER THE OUTER SIDE. WHAT'S THE WAY TO MAKE MANUFACTURE TO SOLVE THIS UNPROPER THING?( DOT NUMBER: )
THE CAR IS SHAKING EVERY TIME I USE BRAKES. BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED TO HAVE THE ROTERS CHANGED. BUT THE CAR IS JUST ONE YEAR OLD. ISN'T IT PREMATURE WEAR.
CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER CONCERNING NHTSA RECALL #98 V 069 001/TRANSFER CASE WHICH COULD LOCKUP DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION. MANUFACTURER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THIS RECALL. CAN NHTSA PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER. *AK
VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED 6 HOURS WHEN FIRE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE DEPARTMENT CALLED & PUT FLAMES OUT. INDICATED FIRE ORIGINATED FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAUSE UNDETERMINED. VEHICLE TOTALED. *AK
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE SHAKING WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 40 OR MORE MPH. ALSO, ROTORS AND PADS NEEDED REPLACING EVERY TWO TO THREE MONTHS. COULD NHTSA HELP IN THE MATTE.; VEHICLE BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON NINE OCCASIONS OR MORE, AND NOTHING HAD APPEARED TO BR CORRECTED. PLEASE HELP!
Official recalls
404V428000 · 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
1RQ98007 · 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.