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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

Suspension complaints

12 reports
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206,000 miles · Mar 12, 2019
SteeringSuspension

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 CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND HAD IT TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM, AXLE, AND…

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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 CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND HAD IT TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM, AXLE, AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,000.

NHTSA ODI #11186092

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

200,000 miles · Sep 2, 2012
SteeringStructureSuspension

APRIL 2010 WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE A 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE RS HATCHBACK AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES PER HOUR, THE 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE RS HATCHBACK SUDDENLY LOSS CONTROL AND CRASHED ONTO THE ROADWAY. I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR INSTANTLY LOSS USE OF CONTROL IN STEERING AND THE CAR PROCEEDED TO LEAVE THE ROAD ONTO A GRA…

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APRIL 2010 WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE A 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE RS HATCHBACK AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES PER HOUR, THE 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE RS HATCHBACK SUDDENLY LOSS CONTROL AND CRASHED ONTO THE ROADWAY. I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR INSTANTLY LOSS USE OF CONTROL IN STEERING AND THE CAR PROCEEDED TO LEAVE THE ROAD ONTO A GRASSY MEDIAN TO MY LEFT SIDE. I DISCOVERED THE FRONT CONTROL ARM WAS LYING ON THE ROADWAY DETACHED FROM THE AXEL AND TIRE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS WEDGED AT AN ANGLE BETWEEN THE FRAME AND THE DISASSEMBLED PARTS OF THE CAR. I HAD THE 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE TOWED HOME AND REPLACED THE FAULTY PARTS WITH ANOTHER FRONT CONTROL ARM & LOWER BALL JOINT PURCHASED FROM AUTO ZONE. IN 2011, THE SAME VEHICLE A 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE RS HATCHBACK LOSES CONTROL WHILE IN MOTION AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES PER HOUR, AS I WAS TURNING LEFT ONTO A TWO LANE STREET. THE CAR LOST STEERING CONTROL SKIDDING OFF THE ROADWAY IN THE DIRECTION ON-COMING TRAFFIC. THE FRONT CONTROL ARM WAS LYING ON THE GROUND DETACHED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER?S SIDE WHEEL. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS WEDGED BETWEEN THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ROAD. I CONTACTED A TOWING SERVICE TO TOW THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS. I BOUGHT AND REPLACED THE FAULTY CONTROL ARM & LOWER BALL JOINTS. JULY 2012, I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR, IN THE LEFT LANE OF A FOUR LANE MAIN THOROUGHFARE, WHEN THE 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE RS HATCHBACK LOSS STEERING CONTROL AND CRASHED TO THE GROUND WHILE IN MOTION, CAUSING THE CAR TO LEAVE THE ROADWAY TOWARDS THE LEFT. I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE AND DISCOVERED THE FRONT CONTROL ARM DETACHED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTROL ARM WAS LYING ON THE GROUND AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL HAD BEEN DAMAGED FROM THE IMPACT AND SKIDDING ALONG THE ROADWAY. I CONTACTED A TOWING SERVICE TO REMOVE THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10473317

200,000 miles · Aug 21, 2012
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANG UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANG UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR THE SAME REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V421001 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT) BUT HAD ALREADY BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DENIED HAVING THE REPAIR PERFORMED PREVIOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ODI #10471765

91,000 miles · Aug 14, 2008
SteeringSuspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR A SAFETY ACT THAT WOULD REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS; HOWEVER, AFTER HE RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT IT WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT DUE TO THE TIRE ALIGNMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR A SAFETY ACT THAT WOULD REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS; HOWEVER, AFTER HE RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT IT WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT DUE TO THE TIRE ALIGNMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE DID NOT NEED AN ALIGNMENT WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BALL JOINTS. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND ANOTHER MITSUBISHI DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT FOLLOWING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BALL JOINTS. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 91,000.

NHTSA ODI #10238140

60,000 miles · Jun 5, 2008
Suspension

LOWER LATERAL BALL JOINT BROKE OFF AND TIRE CAME OFF OF CAR CAUSING MY DAUGHTER TO LOSE CONTROL OF CAR. FOUND OUT THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PART IN 2002 AND RECORDS SHOW THAT IT HAD BEEN CHANGED. EVIDENTLY THE SAME PART WAS DEFECTIVE AGAIN, I BELIEVE. CAR HAD TO BE FLATBEDDED TO REPAIR SHOP AND FIXED FOR $1100. …

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LOWER LATERAL BALL JOINT BROKE OFF AND TIRE CAME OFF OF CAR CAUSING MY DAUGHTER TO LOSE CONTROL OF CAR. FOUND OUT THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PART IN 2002 AND RECORDS SHOW THAT IT HAD BEEN CHANGED. EVIDENTLY THE SAME PART WAS DEFECTIVE AGAIN, I BELIEVE. CAR HAD TO BE FLATBEDDED TO REPAIR SHOP AND FIXED FOR $1100. THANKFULLY SHE WAS NOT GOING FAST AS AAA DRIVER SAID HE HAD GONE OUT ON SEVERAL CALLS FOR THIS CAR WITH THE SAME RESULT AND MANY INJURIES OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10230064

70,000 miles · Apr 8, 2004
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT SNAPPED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10066804

Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2003
Suspension

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL 00V421001 REPAIR ON 4/12/2001 CONCERNING LOWER BALL JOINT BOOT. DEALER INSPECTED THE PARTS AND RESEALED THE JOINT. RECENTLY, CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. ON 6/7/2003 DEALER STATED BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10024337

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2001
Suspension

THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FRONT BALL JOINTS WHICH I'M CONVINCED LEAD TO THE UNEVEN WEAR OF THE FRONT TIRES. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT NNOONE IN THE SERVICE DEPT. REVEALED TO ME ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE CORDS WERE SHOWING THROUGH ON THE FRONT TIRES AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. I'M ALSO CONVINCED THAT THE BALL JOINT DEFECT RESULTED IN THE RE…

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THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FRONT BALL JOINTS WHICH I'M CONVINCED LEAD TO THE UNEVEN WEAR OF THE FRONT TIRES. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT NNOONE IN THE SERVICE DEPT. REVEALED TO ME ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE CORDS WERE SHOWING THROUGH ON THE FRONT TIRES AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. I'M ALSO CONVINCED THAT THE BALL JOINT DEFECT RESULTED IN THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT BRAKE PADS. BOTH THE TIRE REPLACEMENT AND THE BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT WAS AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE TO ME BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBLITY. (DOT NUMBER: M6D2 TIRESIZE: 205-55R16)

NHTSA ODI #756169

Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2001
Suspension

APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS AGO, RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL REPAIR. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE REPAIRED UNDER RECALL. TOOK A TRIP AND WHILE COMING TO A STOP THE WHEEL CAME DETATCHED FROM THE SUSPENSION, BREAKING AXLE AND BRING THE CAR TO A HALT AT THE LIGHT. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A NEARBY MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP, WHO HAS TAKEN CARE OF AL…

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APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS AGO, RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL REPAIR. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE REPAIRED UNDER RECALL. TOOK A TRIP AND WHILE COMING TO A STOP THE WHEEL CAME DETATCHED FROM THE SUSPENSION, BREAKING AXLE AND BRING THE CAR TO A HALT AT THE LIGHT. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A NEARBY MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP, WHO HAS TAKEN CARE OF ALL EXPENSES. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE NOW, HAD THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, IT COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN A DEATH. I AM TRYING TO DETERMINE WHAT MY RIGHTS ARE AS A CONSUMER IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #754865

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.