IllustrationMOTOR JUST STOPPED THE CAR ALWAYS LOST T CLUTCH PEDAL $3500 TO FIX BAD TRUST BEARING. *AK
1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Eclipse years
Owner complaints for the 1995 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
Limited mileage data: 30 of 307 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 59 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
44 crash reports9 fire reports15 injury reports
Power Train complaints
48 reportsMANUAL TRANSMISSION LEAKING. *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL JUMP OUT OF GEAR DOWN TO 2ND BY ITSELF. *AK
CONSUME R WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH ON HIGHWAY BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS BROKE. ALSO, BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT AXLES BROKE . HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.*AK
WHEN DRIVING AT 35 MPH ON HIGHWAY IN THE FAST LANE CLUTCH WENT COMPLETELY OUT, CAUSING LOSS OF ACCELERATION. VEHICLE WENT INTO A COAST. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER NOTED UNUSUAL SIGNS WHEN REMOVING THE CLUTCH, AND CLUTCH WAS REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
MY '95 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GSX AT 50K(1/99) HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CLUTCH AND SHORTBLOCK. WELL IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS FIXED. NOW I HAVE 80K(8/22) AND I'M HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I'VE SPOKEN WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD BY TODD MASON THAT IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH TURBO ECLIPSE'S. MITSU ONLY OFFERED TO PAY …
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MY '95 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GSX AT 50K(1/99) HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CLUTCH AND SHORTBLOCK. WELL IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS FIXED. NOW I HAVE 80K(8/22) AND I'M HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I'VE SPOKEN WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD BY TODD MASON THAT IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH TURBO ECLIPSE'S. MITSU ONLY OFFERED TO PAY FOR A NEW SHORTBLOCK BUT LEFT ME TO PAY THE LABOR WHICH WOULD BE IN THE THOUSANDS. THEY SAID IT'S NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS THAT 30K IS NOT ENOUGH MILES OR TIME FOR THE CLUTCH AND SHORTBLOCK TO BREAK DOWN AGAIN AND IT'S THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL IT'S A MITSU DEFECT IN DESIGN. I DO NOT WANT TO PAY BIG BUCK EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENS. IF IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM I SAY THEY SHOULD DO A RECALL ON IT. HELP WHAT DO I DO? HOW DO I ARGUE MY POINT??? EVERYBODY SEEMS TO AGREE WITH ME, CO-WORKERS, DEALERSHIP, MITSU CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON. EVERYBODY BUT THE DEALER REP WHO HAS TO AUTHORIZE THE WORK. I'VE KEPT THE CAR IN GOOD CONDITION AND HAVE HAD ALL MY REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTANCE DONE.
WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND 40 MPH A GRINDING NOISE COMES FROM THE TRANSFER CASE. SEAL ON THE TRANSFER CASE WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL # 98V069001 ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. TRANSFER CASE IS LEAKING OIL. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE PROVIDE…
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WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND 40 MPH A GRINDING NOISE COMES FROM THE TRANSFER CASE. SEAL ON THE TRANSFER CASE WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL # 98V069001 ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. TRANSFER CASE IS LEAKING OIL. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATON. *AK
VEHICLE CAME TO A JARRING STOP, UPON CHECKING THE VEHICLE NOTICED THE TRASMISSION BLEW OUT OF ITS CAS 2 GEARS, THREE PIECES OF THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING.
THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY TRANSMISSION. I HAD IT SERVICED AS REQUIRED AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME. I FILLED OUT THE ABOVE QUESTIONAIRE AS MUCH AS I COULD. I CONTACTED NHTSA AND THEY TOLD ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT BY FILING OUT THIS QUESTIONAIRE. I HOPE YOU WILL LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T HAVE VERY MANY MILES ON THIS C…
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THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY TRANSMISSION. I HAD IT SERVICED AS REQUIRED AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME. I FILLED OUT THE ABOVE QUESTIONAIRE AS MUCH AS I COULD. I CONTACTED NHTSA AND THEY TOLD ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT BY FILING OUT THIS QUESTIONAIRE. I HOPE YOU WILL LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T HAVE VERY MANY MILES ON THIS CAR. THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT NEED MAJOR WORK OR REPLACED. THANK YOU- *AK
THE TRANSFER CASE LOCKED UP CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO INTO A 180 DEGREE SPIN. A LEAK IN THE TRANSFER CASE CAUSES THE LOCKUP.
Official recalls
500V421001 · 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.
99V066001 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
Apr 5, 1999
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RUBBER BOOTS, AND IF THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THEY WILL REPLACE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM AND BALL JOINT ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
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.
96V158001 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Aug 27, 1996
THE FUEL TANK GASKETS FOR THE FUEL PUMP AND/OR GAUGE UNIT GASKET COULD HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED ALLOWING FUEL OR FUMES TO ESCAPE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THE FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND IF THE GASKETS ARE FOUND TO BE LEAKING, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, CAPS AND GASKETS.
94V149002 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Aug 8, 1994
THE HEADLAMP SUPPORT PANEL CAN DEVELOP A FATIGUE CRACK WHERE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) HYDRAULIC UNIT IS ATTACHED, ALLOWING THE HYDRAULIC UNIT TO FALL DOWN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKING CAN RESULT IF THE ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT FALLS. THIS CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CONNECT THE ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT ATTACHMENT POINT AT A RIGID PORTION OF THE HEADLAMP SUPPORT PANEL WITH A BRACKET AND REINFORCE THE HEADLAMP SUPPORT PANEL BY ADDING A BACK PLATE.
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
4RQ00015 · Lower Contrtol Arm Ball Joint
Opened Aug 2, 2000 · Closed Apr 20, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (3)
Suspension
There is no summary currently available
Suspension
There is no summary currently available
Suspension
There is no summary currently available
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.
EA98002 · Transfer Case Lockup
Opened Jan 30, 1998 · Closed Apr 30, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels
No summary supplied.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Wheels
Wheels
PE97040 · Transfer Case Lockup
Opened Sep 4, 1997 · Closed Jan 30, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels
ALLEGED DRIVETRAIN FAILURE THAT CAN LEAD TO LOCK-UP OF THE REAR OR ALL WHEELS.