1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Transmission918.8%
- Engine510.4%
- Brakes510.4%
- Seat belts48.3%
- Suspension48.3%
- Visibility36.3%
- Interior & seats36.3%
- Heating & air conditioning36.3%
- Electrical36.3%
- Powertrain (other)24.2%
- Steering24.2%
- Other / unspecified12.1%
- Driver assistance12.1%
- Exterior lighting12.1%
- Body & structure12.1%
- Tires & wheels12.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 83,000 UNDER NORMAL USE. THIS CAR WAS NOT IN THE RECALL BUT I BELIEVE IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.*AK
I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR AND DROVE IT ABOUT A WEEK AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON ME NOW I'M STUCK WITH A LEMON AND NO ONE WANT'S TO FIX IT. TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOMEONE LIKE THIS SHOULD NEVER CROSS ANYONE'S MIND. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME IN THIS MATTER THANK YOU, DALE LYNNE HARTSHORNE
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER PURCHASED THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE BURNED 1/2 QUART OF OIL PER 1000 MILES, NOW THE VEHICLE BURNS MORE THAN 1/2 QUART PER 1000 MILES AND THE CONSUMER IS NOW ADDING 1 QUART OF OIL ALMOST EVERY WEEK, THE DEALER REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. NLM
VEHICLE DISPLAYED A LOUND CLUNKING NOISE AND SMOKE WAS COMING FORM ENGINE. UPON INSPECTION BY THE DEALER CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT CRANKSHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES WERE THER PROBLEM AND WERE REPLACED. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE LOST ALL BRAKING POWE R WHILE ATTEMPTING A GRADUAL STOP ON DRY ROAD CONDITIONS. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
VEHICLE DISPLAYED A LOUND CLUNKING NOISE AND SMOKE WAS COMING FORM ENGINE. UPON INSPECTION BY THE DEALER CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT CRANKSHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES WERE THER PROBLEM AND WERE REPLACED. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC RESTRAINT BELT IS INOPERABLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK *SLC
AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR, TURNED OUT IT HAD BEGUN LEAKING. ALSO, THE DEALER HAD TOLD US (AND THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES) THAT WE HAD THE NEW FREON-FREE SYSTEM WHEN IN REALITY WE DO NOT. WE WILL HAVE TO CONVERT IT AT OUR EXPENSE IF WE CHOOSE TO. SEAT BELTS ARE NOT RETRACTING CONSISTENTLY, OFTEN STOP MIDRAIL OR DO NOT BEGIN TO RETRACT AT ALL. THIS OCCURRED ONCE RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DEALER'S SERVICE TECH AND HE DENIES IT. HE TELLS MITSUBISHI THAT THE SYSTEM IS WORKING CORRECTLY. HEATER/DEFROSTER AND TEMPERATURE NEEDLE COINCIDE. WE NOTICED THAT THE NEEDLE SUDDENLY STAYED IN THE EXTREME COLD RANGE ON THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE AND THE HEATER IS BLOWING LUKEWARM/COOL AIR. DEALER SAYS IT'S FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND IT'S JUST BECAUSE IT'S COLD OUT. HOWEVER, ON OUR INVOICE HE NOTES THAT THIS OCCURRED INSIDE THEIR 68 DEGREE GARAGE. NO REPAIR MADE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
DAY TIME APPX. 60-80 MI. FROM EL PASO, TX , LIC. DRIVER DRIVING APPX. 70 MI. P/HR (80 MI. DAY IS SPEED LIMIT) JUST BEFORE CHK. POINT SIERRA BLANCA, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIEROD BREAKS CAUSING A MAJOR 1 CAR ROLLOVER INJURING 3 PEOPLE (1 W/MINOR INJURIES, 1 SERIOUS INJURIES, 1 CRITICAL INJURY). 1994 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GS TOTALED. 2 OF INJURED REQUIRING CONTINUED MEDICAL CARE. HATCHBACK CAME UP, SHATTERED GLASS IN HATCH AND SIDE PANELS. *TR
VEHICLE COMPLETELY CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO PRIOR INDICATION AT ALL, TRAVELING SPEED 60-65MPH. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK VEHICLE EXPERIENCES VIBRATION AND PULLS TO THE RIGHT. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING SHIFTING PROBLEMS. A/C WAS BLOWING HOT AIR, DEALER REPLACED A/C LINES AND COMPRESSOR. BANGING AND CLANKING NOISES FROM VALVE COVER AREA, DEALER DIAGNOSED AS AN INTERNAL ENGINE PROBLEM AND INSTALLED SHORT BLOCK AND REPLACED THE TIMING BELT. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE IACS SOLENOID FOR THE STALLING PROBLEM, HOWEVER VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR, TURNED OUT IT HAD BEGUN LEAKING. ALSO, THE DEALER HAD TOLD US (AND THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES) THAT WE HAD THE NEW FREON-FREE SYSTEM WHEN IN REALITY WE DO NOT. WE WILL HAVE TO CONVERT IT AT OUR EXPENSE IF WE CHOOSE TO. SEAT BELTS ARE NOT RETRACTING CONSISTENTLY, OFTEN STOP MIDRAIL OR DO NOT BEGIN TO RETRACT AT ALL. THIS OCCURRED ONCE RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DEALER'S SERVICE TECH AND HE DENIES IT. HE TELLS MITSUBISHI THAT THE SYSTEM IS WORKING CORRECTLY. HEATER/DEFROSTER AND TEMPERATURE NEEDLE COINCIDE. WE NOTICED THAT THE NEEDLE SUDDENLY STAYED IN THE EXTREME COLD RANGE ON THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE AND THE HEATER IS BLOWING LUKEWARM/COOL AIR. DEALER SAYS IT'S FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND IT'S JUST BECAUSE IT'S COLD OUT. HOWEVER, ON OUR INVOICE HE NOTES THAT THIS OCCURRED INSIDE THEIR 68 DEGREE GARAGE. NO REPAIR MADE.
PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW EXPLODED TWICE WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DAY TIME APPX. 60-80 MI. FROM EL PASO, TX , LIC. DRIVER DRIVING APPX. 70 MI. P/HR (80 MI. DAY IS SPEED LIMIT) JUST BEFORE CHK. POINT SIERRA BLANCA, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIEROD BREAKS CAUSING A MAJOR 1 CAR ROLLOVER INJURING 3 PEOPLE (1 W/MINOR INJURIES, 1 SERIOUS INJURIES, 1 CRITICAL INJURY). 1994 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GS TOTALED. 2 OF INJURED REQUIRING CONTINUED MEDICAL CARE. HATCHBACK CAME UP, SHATTERED GLASS IN HATCH AND SIDE PANELS. *TR
DEFECTIVE HOOD LATCHES (PRIMARY AND SECONDARY) BROKE, CAUSING THE HOOD TO FLY UP 2 TIMES, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION WAS STICKING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE . ALSO, AIR CONDITIONER MADE A HUMMING SOUND WHEN TURNED ON. SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM 20 MPHS TO 140 MHS AND IT BROKE, AND THE NEEDLE CAME OUT THROUGH THE DASHBOARD. *AK
AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR, TURNED OUT IT HAD BEGUN LEAKING. ALSO, THE DEALER HAD TOLD US (AND THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES) THAT WE HAD THE NEW FREON-FREE SYSTEM WHEN IN REALITY WE DO NOT. WE WILL HAVE TO CONVERT IT AT OUR EXPENSE IF WE CHOOSE TO. SEAT BELTS ARE NOT RETRACTING CONSISTENTLY, OFTEN STOP MIDRAIL OR DO NOT BEGIN TO RETRACT AT ALL. THIS OCCURRED ONCE RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DEALER'S SERVICE TECH AND HE DENIES IT. HE TELLS MITSUBISHI THAT THE SYSTEM IS WORKING CORRECTLY. HEATER/DEFROSTER AND TEMPERATURE NEEDLE COINCIDE. WE NOTICED THAT THE NEEDLE SUDDENLY STAYED IN THE EXTREME COLD RANGE ON THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE AND THE HEATER IS BLOWING LUKEWARM/COOL AIR. DEALER SAYS IT'S FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND IT'S JUST BECAUSE IT'S COLD OUT. HOWEVER, ON OUR INVOICE HE NOTES THAT THIS OCCURRED INSIDE THEIR 68 DEGREE GARAGE. NO REPAIR MADE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING, AT APPROX. 55MPH, SUDDENLY ENGINE SHUT DOWN, RENDERING STEERING AND BRAKE INOPERATIVE, RESULTING IN HITTING BARRIER. *AK
THE WIRING HARNESS BY THE FAN MOTOR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION WAS STICKING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE . ALSO, AIR CONDITIONER MADE A HUMMING SOUND WHEN TURNED ON. SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM 20 MPHS TO 140 MHS AND IT BROKE, AND THE NEEDLE CAME OUT THROUGH THE DASHBOARD. *AK
ODOMETER FRAUD.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
DESIGN DEFECT CAUSED THE OUTER TIE ROD TO BREAK APART.
THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT INNER TIE-ROD BROKE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE CONTROL. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
"ALLOY WHEEL RIMS" DAMAGE EASILY FROM NORMAL ROAD HAZARDS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
5-SPEED MANUAL VEHICLE SHUTSDOWN PERIODICALLY WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER-SIDE DOORS ACTIVATED SWITCH FAILED CAUSED A SHORT-CIRTUIT AND DRAINED THE BATTERY EACH TIME I CAME TO A STOP. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PART FAILURE PROBLEM (BOTH SWITCHES IN A 6 YEAR OLD CAR!) AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING IT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE COMPLETELY CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO PRIOR INDICATION AT ALL, TRAVELING SPEED 60-65MPH. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK VEHICLE EXPERIENCES VIBRATION AND PULLS TO THE RIGHT. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING SHIFTING PROBLEMS. A/C WAS BLOWING HOT AIR, DEALER REPLACED A/C LINES AND COMPRESSOR. BANGING AND CLANKING NOISES FROM VALVE COVER AREA, DEALER DIAGNOSED AS AN INTERNAL ENGINE PROBLEM AND INSTALLED SHORT BLOCK AND REPLACED THE TIMING BELT. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE IACS SOLENOID FOR THE STALLING PROBLEM, HOWEVER VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .