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1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Eclipse years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse are substantially higher than the model-year median of 49.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

35 reports with mileage · 85 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 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. 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.

10 crash reports3 fire reports4 injury reports

Power Train complaints

25 reports
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206,000 miles · Mar 7, 2019
Power TrainSteeringSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM, AXLE, AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM, AXLE, AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,000.

NHTSA ODI #11184936

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2007
Power Train

DRIVING ON THE NJ TURNPIKE, NOTICED SPEED DECREASING ON ITS OWN. WHILE MOVING OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE, THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10179140

106,000 miles · Jul 8, 2005
Power Train

DT: CONSUMER STATES HE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSFER CASE ON HIS 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE TAIL SHAFT SEAL LEAKED, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR DIFFERENT MODEL YEARS NHTSA 98V069000. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE TRANSFER CASE DOWN, THERE WAS A BUNCH OF SHAVINGS AND NO FLUID LEFT. THE TRANSFER CASE LOCKED UP AND THAT IS WHY HE TOOK …

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DT: CONSUMER STATES HE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSFER CASE ON HIS 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE TAIL SHAFT SEAL LEAKED, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR DIFFERENT MODEL YEARS NHTSA 98V069000. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE TRANSFER CASE DOWN, THERE WAS A BUNCH OF SHAVINGS AND NO FLUID LEFT. THE TRANSFER CASE LOCKED UP AND THAT IS WHY HE TOOK THAT DOWN. WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD HIM IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING IN HIS NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10128152

70,000 miles · Mar 12, 2005
Electrical SystemPower Train

1ST INCIDENT: APRIL 2002: 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GS LOCKS UP (TRANSMISSION) CONSTANTLY JUMPS AND THE SPEEDOMETER WILL SHUT OFF. THIS PROBLEM WAS CHECKED BY OFFICIAL MECHANICS OF MITSUBISHI AND SUPOSEDLY CORRECTED BY THEM AS WELL. *AK TODAY: MARCH 12, 2005: ON MY HOME, THE CAR LOCKS UP, JUMPS, BUT COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF, LUCKILY …

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1ST INCIDENT: APRIL 2002: 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GS LOCKS UP (TRANSMISSION) CONSTANTLY JUMPS AND THE SPEEDOMETER WILL SHUT OFF. THIS PROBLEM WAS CHECKED BY OFFICIAL MECHANICS OF MITSUBISHI AND SUPOSEDLY CORRECTED BY THEM AS WELL. *AK TODAY: MARCH 12, 2005: ON MY HOME, THE CAR LOCKS UP, JUMPS, BUT COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF, LUCKILY I WAS ONLY A BLOCK AWAY FROM MY HOME WHEN THIS HAPPENED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS I DID START THE CAR AGAIN BUT THE SPEDOMETER IS NOT RESPONDING AND WHEN SHIFTING FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE OR REVERSE THE CAR JUMPS. SAME PROBLEM ALL OVER AGAIN. MITSUBISHI SAID THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED BACK IN APRIL OF 2002, PARTS WERE REPLACED. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A CAR ACCIDENT OR INJURY IF I WERE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #10113982

42,500 miles · Jul 27, 2003
Latches/locks/linkagesPower Train

MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. STICK SHIFT WOULD POP OUT OF 5TH GEAR ON OCCASSION AND THEN STARTED TO POP OUT OF GEAR IN 4TH THEN COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CAR HAS LESS THAN 43000 MILES ON IT. I'VE HEARD OF SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. ALSO DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF, AGAIN HEARD SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WI…

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MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. STICK SHIFT WOULD POP OUT OF 5TH GEAR ON OCCASSION AND THEN STARTED TO POP OUT OF GEAR IN 4TH THEN COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CAR HAS LESS THAN 43000 MILES ON IT. I'VE HEARD OF SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. ALSO DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF, AGAIN HEARD SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10029320

51,000 miles · Jul 7, 2003
Power Train

CLUTCH FAILED AT 51,000 MILES AS A RESULT OF A BAD MASTER CLUTCH CYLINDER. WITHIN 30 MILES, HARMONIC BALANCER FAILED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10025536

83,500 miles · Jan 7, 2003
EquipmentPower Train

MY 99 ECLIPSE HAS NOW 84,000 MILES. ON NOVEMBER 8 2002 MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOST THIRD GEAR, I HAD IT REPLACED AND NOW THE SECOND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THE FIRST TRANSMISSION HAD THE INPUT AND OUTPUT SPEED SENSORS REPLACED TWICE ALONG WITH THE IGNITION BOX. THE TRANSMISSION I HAVE NOW THE DEALER STATES,"THE CODE READS F…

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MY 99 ECLIPSE HAS NOW 84,000 MILES. ON NOVEMBER 8 2002 MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOST THIRD GEAR, I HAD IT REPLACED AND NOW THE SECOND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THE FIRST TRANSMISSION HAD THE INPUT AND OUTPUT SPEED SENSORS REPLACED TWICE ALONG WITH THE IGNITION BOX. THE TRANSMISSION I HAVE NOW THE DEALER STATES,"THE CODE READS FAULTY OVER-DRIVE SOLENOID BUT MY TECHNICIAN BELIEVES IT IS INTERNAL." I HAVE HAD ALL THE MAINTENANCE COMPLETED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OWNERS MANUAL AND STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10000572

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2002
Power Train

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR

NHTSA ODI #8020620

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2002
Power Train

AUTOMOBILE WAS PURCHASED WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT TRANSMISSION NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER SUPPOSEDLY CHECKED OUT THE SITUATION, AND STATED NOTHING WAS WRONG. TRANSMISSION FAILED LESS THAN THREE MONTHS LATER WITH TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP STATING SUSSPECT PREVIOUS REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE ON THE CAR WITH THE SIGNS OF SOME WATER DAMA…

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AUTOMOBILE WAS PURCHASED WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT TRANSMISSION NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER SUPPOSEDLY CHECKED OUT THE SITUATION, AND STATED NOTHING WAS WRONG. TRANSMISSION FAILED LESS THAN THREE MONTHS LATER WITH TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP STATING SUSSPECT PREVIOUS REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE ON THE CAR WITH THE SIGNS OF SOME WATER DAMAGE. ALSO THE AUTO WAS SOLD WITH AN EXPIRED INSPECTION STICKER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #765818

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2002
Power Train

CONSUMER STATES THAT TRANSMISSION BEGAN MAKING A RATTLING NOISE, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT AND CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT, VEHICLES WARRANTY DOES NOT END UNTIL 60000 MILES. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #566486

Official recalls

2

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.