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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

What owners actually said

129 reports
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

103,737 miles · Aug 15, 2006
Air BagsCrashFire

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT CAUSING THE CONTACT TO HIT THIS VEHICLE ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FROM THE WHEEL FORWARD. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG GOT STUCK TO THE BACK PLATE AND DID NOT DEPLOY. THE AIR BAG BEGAN TO SMOKE AND WAS BURNED BEYOND REPAIR. AS A RESULT, …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT CAUSING THE CONTACT TO HIT THIS VEHICLE ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FROM THE WHEEL FORWARD. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG GOT STUCK TO THE BACK PLATE AND DID NOT DEPLOY. THE AIR BAG BEGAN TO SMOKE AND WAS BURNED BEYOND REPAIR. AS A RESULT, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW CRACKED. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.

NHTSA ODI #10165499

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

ONE OF THE CYLINDERS HAS MISFIRED SEVERAL TIMES IN WHICH I REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES. IT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL INJECTOR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10163788

100,000 miles · Jun 12, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineLatches/locks/linkages

I BOUGHT MY 98 ECLIPSE, STANDARD, IN 2003, NOT EVEN A YEAR AFTER I HAD IT IT DIED ON ME ON THE FREEWAY ONE DAY. TURNED OUT IT WAS THE SPEED SENSOR THAT GOT ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE. ABOUT ANOTHER 6 MONTHS LATER THE FOUND AN OIL LEAK ON THE HEAD GASKET THAT WAS MAKING ME MISFIRE, THAT WAS FIXED. THE CAR WAS FINE UNTI…

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I BOUGHT MY 98 ECLIPSE, STANDARD, IN 2003, NOT EVEN A YEAR AFTER I HAD IT IT DIED ON ME ON THE FREEWAY ONE DAY. TURNED OUT IT WAS THE SPEED SENSOR THAT GOT ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE. ABOUT ANOTHER 6 MONTHS LATER THE FOUND AN OIL LEAK ON THE HEAD GASKET THAT WAS MAKING ME MISFIRE, THAT WAS FIXED. THE CAR WAS FINE UNTIL ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO WHEN THE ENGINE WENT OUT ON ME BECAUSE APPARENTLY THE ENGINE OIL AND COOLANT WERE SOMEHOW MIXING, MY HOSES WERE OUT, SO WAS MY WATER PUMP, O2 SENSOR AND FUEL PUMP SENSOR, ALL AT THE SAME TIME. WELL I HAD MAJOR WORK DONE EVERYTHING WAS PUT IN NEW, ABOUT A MONTH LATER MY DRIVER DOOR HANDLE FALLS OFF, THAT COST ME 150 DOLLARS! ONE MONTH AFTER THAT, NOW, MY SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING ALL OF A SUDDEN AND 2 WEEKS LATER MY TRANSMISSION GOES OUT. ALSO MY CLUTCH IS GOING OUT. SO NOW I CANT DRIVE THE CAR ANY HIGHER THAN 5TH GEAR BECAUSE IT THROWS MY GEAR OUT!!! SINCE I STILL OWE 6K ON THE CAR I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO FIX IT. WHICH IS GOING TO END UP COSTING ME, IN ALL I'VE SPENT AND AM ABOUT TO SPEND, AS MUCH AS I STILL OWE ON THE CAR! *NM

NHTSA ODI #10159663

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

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2005
Air BagsCrashFire

AFTER CRASHING IN A MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE THE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG CAUGHT FIRE. TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO PULL APART THE DASH IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE WIRES FROM THE AIRBAG. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10138882

82,560 miles · Sep 16, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

DT: WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT THE ACCELERATOR STUCK AND VEHICLE SPEEDED UP. THE CALLER'S HUSBAND APPLIED THE CLUTCH TO PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND THE CLUTCH BLEW OPUT. IT SHOT PIECES OF METAL THROUGH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. INSURANCE COMPANY SAID IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE CRUISE CONTROL OR THE THROTTLE. DEALER SAID THEY…

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DT: WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT THE ACCELERATOR STUCK AND VEHICLE SPEEDED UP. THE CALLER'S HUSBAND APPLIED THE CLUTCH TO PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND THE CLUTCH BLEW OPUT. IT SHOT PIECES OF METAL THROUGH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. INSURANCE COMPANY SAID IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE CRUISE CONTROL OR THE THROTTLE. DEALER SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF THAT HAPPENING AND WANTED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. SHE WILL HAVE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC LOOK AT VEHICLE TOMORROW. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10136736

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2005
Power Train

DT: THE CONSUMER HAD MANUFACTURER'S RECALL C9803T REPAIRS DONE. AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL AND THE TRANSFER CASE BROKE. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD HIM TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WOULD SEND HIS COMPLAINT # 375 625 FOR REV…

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DT: THE CONSUMER HAD MANUFACTURER'S RECALL C9803T REPAIRS DONE. AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL AND THE TRANSFER CASE BROKE. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD HIM TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WOULD SEND HIS COMPLAINT # 375 625 FOR REVIEW. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ON 8-30-05. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10134797

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages

PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE OF 98 MITSUBISHI SNAPS OFF WHILE OPENING AND OCCUPANT ALMOST FEEL TO THE GROUND. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10134677

68,000 miles · Jun 3, 2005
Power Train

1) NONE 2) TRANSFER CASE BEGAN LEAKING (HASN'T LOCKED UP YET) 3) NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE, DEALER WILL NOT RECALL FOR A 2ND TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10124142

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.