RoadVitals

1998 Mitsubishi Caribbean Eclipse

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
3
Latest Nov 1, 2004
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Apr 6, 2001
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Mitsubishi Caribbean Eclipse, most frequently naming the airbags, brakes and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags114.3%
  • Brakes114.3%
  • Electrical114.3%
  • Engine114.3%
  • Seat belts114.3%
  • Tires & wheels114.3%
  • Visibility114.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
00V421003

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

Apr 6, 2001
5,164 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEANView on NHTSA.gov
98V045003

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

May 14, 1998
100 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES LOCATED IN THE CARIBBEAN. THE DASH PANEL PAD CAN SHIFT INTERFERRING WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.
The risk: THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE A PORTION OF THE DASH PANEL PAD SO IT CANNOT INTERFERE WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEANView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

BrakesElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Nov 1, 2004

RESPONSE TO E-MAIL CONCERNING THE PROBLEM YOU EXPERIENCED WITH A CAR DEALERSHIP. *BF THE WASHER FLUID LIGHT WAS ON, THE POWER ANTENNA DID NOT WORK, THERE WAS POSSIBLY A PROBLEM DEALING WITH THE CRANK SEAL, THE BRAKES WERE NOT OKAY, THE ROTORS WERE WARPED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON, AND THE HOOD WAS OPENED AND THERE WAS AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF HEAT WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *SC

NHTSA ID
10101177
Incident
Nov 1, 2004
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 20, 2004

THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH THE SPARE. THE TIRE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT INSPECTED TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE BLOW OUT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10097208
Incident
Oct 19, 2004
Mileage
59,370 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Jul 23, 1999
Crash reported

DAUGHTER WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT. FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. TRAVELING AT 30 MPH. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK

NHTSA ID
843115
Incident
Dec 23, 1998

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mitsubishi Caribbean Eclipse by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2003200—
2001210—
2000440—
1999210—
1998Viewing320—
1997110—
1996120—
1995120—
1991210—
1990120—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.