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.
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.
30
10 injuries, 0 deaths reported
Overview
Our database contains 159 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse, most frequently naming the suspension, brakes and engine categories. 11 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 82 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
Monthly complaints peaked at 5 in Jan 2000. Most recent month: 1.View as table
Monthly owner complaints for the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Month
Complaints filed
Cumulative
Aug 1998
1
50
Sep 1998
1
51
Nov 1998
1
52
Dec 1998
2
54
Jan 1999
2
56
Feb 1999
1
57
Mar 1999
1
58
May 1999
1
59
Aug 1999
2
61
Sep 1999
4
65
Oct 1999
1
66
Nov 1999
3
69
Dec 1999
1
70
Jan 2000
5
75
Feb 2000
2
77
Mar 2000
1
78
May 2000
1
79
Jun 2000
1
80
Aug 2000
2
82
Sep 2000
4
86
Oct 2000
2
88
Nov 2000
4
92
Feb 2001
1
93
Mar 2001
3
96
Apr 2001
1
97
May 2001
1
98
Jun 2001
2
100
Jul 2001
3
103
Aug 2001
1
104
Sep 2001
3
107
Oct 2001
1
108
Nov 2001
2
110
Dec 2001
3
113
Mar 2002
1
114
Apr 2002
3
117
May 2002
1
118
Jun 2002
1
119
Jul 2002
1
120
Sep 2002
3
123
Oct 2002
1
124
Dec 2002
1
125
Jan 2003
2
127
Feb 2003
1
128
Mar 2003
2
130
May 2003
1
131
Sep 2003
2
133
Jan 2004
2
135
Mar 2004
2
137
Apr 2004
3
140
Jul 2004
5
145
Jan 2005
1
146
Aug 2005
4
150
Mar 2006
1
151
Oct 2006
1
152
Dec 2007
2
154
Mar 2008
1
155
Jun 2010
1
156
Dec 2010
1
157
Sep 2011
1
158
May 2017
1
159
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
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.
The defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
The defect: CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES, P/N E7081H, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WALL OF THE FLARED FITTING OF THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE MATING THREADED FITTINGS FROM BOTTOMING OUT BEFORE AN ADEQUATE SEAL IS ACHIEVED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION OF THE VEHICLE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY.
The risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AIRTEX AUTOMOTIVE AT 800-880-3056.
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 TRANSMISSIONLed to recall 98V168001
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE REAR WHEELS SEIZED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,200.
NHTSA ID
10983556
Incident
May 2, 2017
Mileage
89,200 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Sep 12, 2011
ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODUAL WHILE DRIVING ALL POWER TO CAR JUST LOST. *TR
NHTSA ID
10424690
Incident
Apr 6, 2011
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 27, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE TRANSFER CASE SUDDENLY STALLED AND LOCKED ALL FOUR WHEELS; HE WAS UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE TRANSFER CASE AND THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIR EXPENSES AS THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 98V069001 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ID
10372505
Incident
Dec 21, 2010
Mileage
110,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jun 1, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION AND IT MADE AN UNUSUAL NOISE. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, FOUND THAT THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT HAD FRACTURED FROM THE TRANSFER CASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE DRIVE SHAFT YOKE AND REAR TRANSFER HOUSING WERE REPLACED AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED 1,500 MILES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER HAD POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID 98V069001 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AND WHEN CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER, HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER IN 1998. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
NHTSA ID
10334018
Incident
Apr 20, 2010
Mileage
122,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Mar 6, 2008
Crash reported1 injury reported
10/26/01 L FRONT LWR CONTROL ARM BROKE, THE CAR BOUNCED DOWN THE ROAD WHEN SUSP CAME APART. GVILLE MITZ REPLACED THE PARTS AT THE COST OF THE MANF. THE VEHICLE HAD 104000 MI AT THAT TIME. ITEMS LISTED ON REPAIR INVOICE: ARM ASSY (FR SUSP), SHAFT ASSY (FR AXL), SHIELD KIT SPLASH, AIR DAM SIDE FR LH, END ASSY, TIE ROD, FENDER FR LH 12/8/07 SUSP BROKE AGAIN. WHILE DRIVING I THOUGHT THE DRV SIDE FRONT TIRE HAD POPPED. I LET OFF THE GAS/ TRIED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER. I WAS IN THE L LANE NEAR AN INTERSTATE ENTRANCE. WHEN I WAS NEAR THE BARRIER THE VEHICLE JUMPED LEFT. IT MADE CONTACT WITH THE CONCRETE WALL, I PULLED THE WHEEL BACK TOWARDS THE RIGHT. WHEN I DID THIS THE BROKEN LEFT FRONT SUSP/TIRE WENT BENEATH THE CAR. THE AUTO WAS CATAPULTED ONTO THE CONCRETE BARRIER ON IT'S NOSE. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY AIRBORNE AT THIS TIME (FOR APPX 150-200 FT) PART OF THE CAR HIT THE CONCRETE PILLAR OF THE UNDERPASS AND FLUNG MY CAR BACK TO THE GROUND. BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME DOWN. EVEN WITH MY RESTRAINT ON MY BODY SLID UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE CAR CATAPULTED ON THE CONCRETE LEDGE. WHEN THE DRIVERSIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED THE GOT THE LEFT SIDE OF MY HEAD WHERE MY ABDOMEN SHOULD HAVE BEEN. THE DAMAGES: BUMPER ASSEMBLY, FRONT, COVER, FRONT BUMPER, HEADLAMP ASSY, HALOG HEADLAMPS AIM/LAMP, SIDE MARKER, FENDER FRONT, SKIRT, INNER FENDERT WHEEL, FRONT L, KNUCKLE, STEERING L/F, ARM, LOWER CONTROL L/F WINDSHIELD, AIRBAG, STEERING WHEEL, AIRBAG, INSTRUMENT PNL PANEL, ROCKER LT, PNL, FRONT DOOR OUT, REPAIR I RECEIVED A CONCUSSION FROM THE AIRBAG/BACK PROBLEMS ETC THIS CAR IS UP FOR AUCTION ON THE 18TH, IT IS MY HOPES THAT IT IS NOT PLACED BACK ON THE ROADWAYS. WHO KNOWS WHAT OTHER TYPES OF DAMAGE THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED, THE CRASH WAS NEVER CORRECTLY EVALUATED. THE LOCAL POLICE LISTED I HIT A METAL GUARD RAIL. THE VEHICLE DAMAGES DOES NOT INDICATE CONTACT WITH A METAL GUARD RAIL(IT DOES NOT HAVE MARKS ON IT). APPX 50 PICS AVAIL. *TR
NHTSA ID
10220327
Incident
Dec 8, 2007
Mileage
261,362 mi
Powertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Dec 22, 2007
I WAS GOING ABOUT 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE FREEWAY, WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD REVVING NOISE AND BEGAN TO DOWN SHIFT AT AN ACCELERATED RATE. THE ECLIPSE NOW HAS A SHIFTING PROBLEM TO WHERE THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE THE DRIVE TO MOVE FORWARDS NOR BACKWARDS. I WAS TOLD BY A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST AND CLOSE FRIEND, THAT ALL MY GEARS WERE ALL WIPED OUT ALL AT THE SAME TIME AND THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS EITHER LOOSE OR BROKEN. HE ALSO MENTIONED THAT HE FOUND IN THE TRANSFER CASE, OF THE TRANSMISSION, SHAVINGS OR LITTLE PIECES OF METAL OR ALUMINUM. *TR
NHTSA ID
10212547
Incident
Dec 4, 2007
Mileage
71,250 mi
Other / unspecifiedTires & wheels
Filed Dec 8, 2007
DRIVING ON HWY. 80 ON DRY ROAD AT APPROX. 60-65 MPH, IN FAST LANE, CAR STARTED TO SHAKE, AS WE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF FREEWAY, TIRE BLEW OUT...COMPLETE SEPARATION OF BELT FROM SIDEWALLS,BOTH SIDE WALLS STILL ON RIM, BELT (INTACT) ROLLED DOWN FREEWAY. TIRES LESS THAN 1 YEAR OLD, AND LOTS OF TREAD LEFT ON TIRE. THIS CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE RIM WHICH IS NO LONGER USABLE. WE WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIRE AND RIM, BUT THANK GOD NO ONE WAS HURT. *TR
NHTSA ID
10211217
Incident
Dec 7, 2007
Filed Oct 18, 2006
I HAVE A BLACK 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE RS THE CLEAR COAT IS TOTALLY COMING OFF OF THE CAR LEAVING WHITE SPOTS ALL OVER. THE CAR IS SUPPOSE TO BE BLACK BUT IT LOOKS LIKE A DALMATION. *NM
NHTSA ID
10171217
Incident
Oct 18, 2006
Mileage
120,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
TSB-22-54-003
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part.
TT253
EQUIPMENT
This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
TSB-19-00-008
EQUIPMENT
This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes TSB-18-00-003, issued April, 2018, to add updated information for Carrying Capacity Reduced Label.
TT237
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
TT218
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EXTERIOR LIGHTING; POWER TRAIN; VISIBILITY; WHEELS
This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
TSB-15-54-004
EQUIPMENT
This TSB contains troubleshooting steps for diagnosis of various customer complaints relating to the audio system speakers in Mitsubishi vehicles equipped with original equipment audio components.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
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.