IllustrationCONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER IN REFERNCE TO RECALL 99V066001/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL SR99002/ LOWER BALL JOINT BOOTS. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE, NO PARTS REPLACED, CONSUMER NOTED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT BOOTS BROKE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Eclipse years
Owner complaints for the 1996 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: 21 of 159 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.
- Suspension. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
25 crash reports5 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
159 reportsCONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THREE TIMES THE ENGINE BELT WHICH WASN'T LINING UP WITH THE BRACKET. *AK
THE DEALER SEEMS UNCONCERNED ABOUT MY CAR. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK
CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS ON RECALL #9089. WHILE HE WAS DRIVING LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE BECAUSE BALL JOINT BROKE. *AK
ROTORS AND BRAKES HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW. ROTORS HAVE TO BE RESURFACED EVERY 6 MONTHS, AND NEW BRAKES. THERE HAS BEEN NO CHARGE EXCEPT FOR BRAKES. NOW DEALERSHIP TELLS ME I HAVE TO PAY FOR NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS FOR THIS CHRONIC PROBLEM. MITSUBISHI MOTORS ADMITS THAT THIS IS AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM, BUT TH…
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ROTORS AND BRAKES HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW. ROTORS HAVE TO BE RESURFACED EVERY 6 MONTHS, AND NEW BRAKES. THERE HAS BEEN NO CHARGE EXCEPT FOR BRAKES. NOW DEALERSHIP TELLS ME I HAVE TO PAY FOR NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS FOR THIS CHRONIC PROBLEM. MITSUBISHI MOTORS ADMITS THAT THIS IS AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. DEALERSHIP SAYS TO PUT THE BLAME ON MITSUBISHI MOTORS. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR DUE TO BRAKES POSSIBLY FAILING. THANK YOU. *AK
THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG HAS A RATTLE FROM WITHIN THE MODULE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY WHAT THE CAUSE OF THE RATTLE IS. I'M AFRAID THAT EITHER THE AIRBAG WON'T PROPERLY DEPLOY (LIKE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS) OR THAT A PROJECTILE WILL ACCOMPANY THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG AND INJURE, OR POSSIBLY KILL, THE PASSENGER. …
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THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG HAS A RATTLE FROM WITHIN THE MODULE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY WHAT THE CAUSE OF THE RATTLE IS. I'M AFRAID THAT EITHER THE AIRBAG WON'T PROPERLY DEPLOY (LIKE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS) OR THAT A PROJECTILE WILL ACCOMPANY THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG AND INJURE, OR POSSIBLY KILL, THE PASSENGER. DEALER DOESN'T WANT TO REPLACE THE MODULE AT NO CHARGE. *AK
FOR NO APPARENT REASON, WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, HOOD FLEW OPEN. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD SAFELY. SAFETY LATCH DID NOT HOLD THE HOOD. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
I HAVE EXPERIENCED NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE BODY SHOP PERSONNEL AT LITTLE ROCK DODGE, AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT LITTLE ROCK MITSUBISHI IN HANDLING THIS MATTER. IT HAS BEEN A MONTH, AND I STILL HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET ANY ANSWERS, UNLESS , I COUNT THE LIES THAT I'VE BEEN TOLD BY YOUR SO CALLED TRAINED PROFESSIONALS. …
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I HAVE EXPERIENCED NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE BODY SHOP PERSONNEL AT LITTLE ROCK DODGE, AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT LITTLE ROCK MITSUBISHI IN HANDLING THIS MATTER. IT HAS BEEN A MONTH, AND I STILL HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET ANY ANSWERS, UNLESS , I COUNT THE LIES THAT I'VE BEEN TOLD BY YOUR SO CALLED TRAINED PROFESSIONALS. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH IF SOMEONE WOULD BE HONEST AND NOT PREJUDICE , AND HELP ME OUT. IF I HONESTLY THOUGHT THAT THIS MATTER WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, I WOULD NOT BE GOING THROUGH ALL OF THIS; AND I DEFINITELY WOULDN'T BE WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION FOR A MONTH. I AM NOT TRYING TO CAUSE ANY PROBLEMS. ALL I WANT IS FOR THE DEALER TO FIX MY CAR. I FEEL AS THOUGH I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS DEFECTIVE. NO SAFETY DEFECT(S) MENTIONED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK
CONSUMER WAS DENIED REPAIR UNDER RECALL #99-002, DEALERSHIP REFUSED DUE TO WORN PART RATHER THAT CRACKED OR SPLIT. *MJS
WHILE OPENING THE DOOR, THE HANDLE BROKE OFF. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Official recalls
400V421001 · 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.
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.