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
What owners actually said
307 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2000
Suspension
LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED WHILE CONSUMER WAS PULLING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN, CAUSING THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER RECEIVED AN RECALL LETTER FOR THE BOOT, BUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINT BOOT WAS FINE AND DID NOT NEED CHANGING.…
Read full complaint
LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED WHILE CONSUMER WAS PULLING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN, CAUSING THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER RECEIVED AN RECALL LETTER FOR THE BOOT, BUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINT BOOT WAS FINE AND DID NOT NEED CHANGING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #856019
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN STARTED ENGINE EARLY IN THE MORNING AND LET IT RUN FOR FEW MINUTES, ENGINE SHUT OFF, AND THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #855954
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2000
Fuel System, GasolineFire
WHILE FUELING VEHICLE FLAMES SHOT OUT OF THE GAS TANK RESULTING IN COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF VEHICLE FROM FIRE, POSSIBLE RECALL COMPONENT FAILURE OF THE FUEL GASKETS (RECALL IN 1996). *MJS
NHTSA ODI #550631
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2000
Suspension
THE RIGHT TIRE FELL OFF WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. DAY TOYOTA REPLACED THE BALL JOINT & ARM. MITSUBISHI DEALER EXAMINED THE CAR & STATED OTHER BALL JOINT WAS CRACKED. MITUBISHI WILL NOT REIMBURSE FOR REPLACEMENT OF 2ND BALL JOINT, EVEN THOUGH THIS WAS A RECALL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #718100
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN HE APPLIES BRAKES AND DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 4OMPH. *AK
NHTSA ODI #855649
Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2000
Latches/locks/linkages
WHILE DRIVING HOOD LATCH POPPED OFF, CAUSING THE HOOD TO RATTLE. DEALER HAS FIXED VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #854906
Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 1999
Power Train
THE TRANSFER CASE LOCKED UP CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO INTO A 180 DEGREE SPIN. A LEAK IN THE TRANSFER CASE CAUSES THE LOCKUP.
NHTSA ODI #527629
Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING, SOMETIMES WILL RESTART. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #783592
Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 1999
Suspension
RECALL 99V066001, LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. DEALER REPLACED PARTS INCLUDED IN RECALL, AND CHARGED OWNER FOR THE RECALL. *AK *YC
NHTSA ODI #847550
Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 1999
Air BagsCrash
INVOLVED IN A WRECK, HYDROPLANED IN EXTREME RAIN AND HIT BARRER WALL BOTH SIDES. FRONT AND REAR OF CAR SMASHED. CAR TOTALED, AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. LUCKILY NO MAJOR INJURIES. *AK
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.
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.
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.
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
4
RQ00015 · 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.
1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year