IllustrationWHILE DRIVING OIL LEAKED OUT OF THE REAR TRANFER CASE, CAUSING ALL 4 TIRES TO LOCK UP. HAD RECALL 96-V-158-000 FIXED PERTAINING TO THIS SAME PART PRIOR TO INCCIDENT.*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
What owners actually said
307 reportsCONSUMER SMELLS GAS FUMES WHEN DRIVING. ALSO, SMELLS FUMES WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. THERE IS A RECALL, 96V158001, ON VEHICLE'S MAKE/MODEL; BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK *TT
WHEN PARKING VEHICLE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME THERE SEEMS TO BE A CONSTANT OIL LEAK.*AK
THERE ARE STRONG FUEL FUMES INTERNAL AND EXTERNALM WHICH CAUSE DIZZY SPELLS AND MINOR STOMACH ACHES. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
AT TIMES THE I CAN SMELL FUEL FUMES INSIDE/OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THE IS NO LEAKAGE, ONLY THE FUMES ARE ESCAPING THE FUEL TANK. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 1995 MITSUBISHE ECLIPSE GS 1995 (SAME AS MINE) FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V158000. AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V158001. THE FUEL TANK GASKETS FOR T…
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AT TIMES THE I CAN SMELL FUEL FUMES INSIDE/OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THE IS NO LEAKAGE, ONLY THE FUMES ARE ESCAPING THE FUEL TANK. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 1995 MITSUBISHE ECLIPSE GS 1995 (SAME AS MINE) FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V158000. AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V158001. THE FUEL TANK GASKETS FOR THE FUEL PUMP AND/OR GAUGE UNIT GASKET COULD HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED ALLOWING FUEL OR FUMES TO ESCAPE. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THE FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. BUT WHEN I CONTACTED THE MITSUBSHI DEALER THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM AS THEY SAY MY CAR'S VIN NUMBER DOES NOT SHOW THIS RECALL.*AK
THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS FUMES ON THE INSIDE OF MY CAR. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND A RECALL (REF. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 96V158000 AND 96V158001). AFTER READING THE RECALLS' INFORMATION I REMOVED MY REAR SEAT TO EXPOSE THE SUSPECT AREA AND AN ALMOST UNBEARABLE AMOUNT OF GAS FUMES WAS EMITTING FROM THE FUEL PUMP INSTALLATIO…
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THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS FUMES ON THE INSIDE OF MY CAR. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND A RECALL (REF. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 96V158000 AND 96V158001). AFTER READING THE RECALLS' INFORMATION I REMOVED MY REAR SEAT TO EXPOSE THE SUSPECT AREA AND AN ALMOST UNBEARABLE AMOUNT OF GAS FUMES WAS EMITTING FROM THE FUEL PUMP INSTALLATION AREA. *AK
MY SON WAS IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE RECALL WHICH WE WERE NEVER INFORMED ABOUT. HE WAS DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT AWAY FOR ABOUT 20 FEET WHEN HE FELT A POP LIKE HE GOT A FLAT TIRE AND THEN HE LOST ALL CONTROL OF HIS CAR WHICH DID A 180* SPIN AND SLIF INTO BUSHES AFTER HITTING A SMALL CURB. HIS TIRE WAS SIDEWAYS, WHEN ADVISED THERE WA…
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MY SON WAS IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE RECALL WHICH WE WERE NEVER INFORMED ABOUT. HE WAS DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT AWAY FOR ABOUT 20 FEET WHEN HE FELT A POP LIKE HE GOT A FLAT TIRE AND THEN HE LOST ALL CONTROL OF HIS CAR WHICH DID A 180* SPIN AND SLIF INTO BUSHES AFTER HITTING A SMALL CURB. HIS TIRE WAS SIDEWAYS, WHEN ADVISED THERE WAS ALOT OF DAMAGE I FOUND OUT THEY HAD A RECALL ON THIS MAKE AND VIN# WHICH WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT AND ASKED A MECHANIC IF THIS COULD OF CAUSED HIS ACCIDENT AND WAS TOLD MOST DEFINATELY. MY SON MISSED HITTING A TREE BY 24 INCHES. I WANT HIS CAR FIXED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY TAKEN CARE OF FOR THE DEDUCTIBLE AND TO MAKE SURE HE WON'T GET A SURCHARGE ON HIS POLICY FOR A MANUFACTURERES DEFECT WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. MY SON WENT TO VERMONT LAST WEEKEND AND I CAN'T BARE THE THOUGHT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY. *AK
I BELIEVE THE STALLING CAUSED THE ENGINE FAILURE, DEALER DOES NOT, IVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THE STALLING, THEY SAY IT DOES'NT STALL WITH THEM. *AK
RECALL 96V158000 CONCERNING FUEL TANK PROBLEMS. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
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.