RoadVitals

1999 Mitsubishi 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.
120
Latest Mar 12, 2019
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.
11
Latest May 11, 2009
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.
13
5 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 120 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse, most frequently naming the body & structure, transmission and engine categories. 11 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 46 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

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

11 campaigns cover this model year

View all 11

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
09E025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

May 11, 2009
42,540 units potentially affected
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.
DOPE, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
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.
SABERSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
07E055000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Jul 26, 2007
222 units potentially affected
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.
AIRTEX PRODUCTSManufacturer number FP072007-1View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 120
SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 12, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND HAD IT TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM, AXLE, AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,000.

NHTSA ID
11186092
Incident
Mar 7, 2019
Mileage
206,000 mi
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 7, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM, AXLE, AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,000.

NHTSA ID
11184936
Incident
Mar 5, 2019
Mileage
206,000 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecifiedSteering+1 more
Filed Sep 2, 2012

APRIL 2010 WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE A 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE RS HATCHBACK AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES PER HOUR, THE 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE RS HATCHBACK SUDDENLY LOSS CONTROL AND CRASHED ONTO THE ROADWAY. I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR INSTANTLY LOSS USE OF CONTROL IN STEERING AND THE CAR PROCEEDED TO LEAVE THE ROAD ONTO A GRASSY MEDIAN TO MY LEFT SIDE. I DISCOVERED THE FRONT CONTROL ARM WAS LYING ON THE ROADWAY DETACHED FROM THE AXEL AND TIRE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS WEDGED AT AN ANGLE BETWEEN THE FRAME AND THE DISASSEMBLED PARTS OF THE CAR. I HAD THE 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE TOWED HOME AND REPLACED THE FAULTY PARTS WITH ANOTHER FRONT CONTROL ARM & LOWER BALL JOINT PURCHASED FROM AUTO ZONE. IN 2011, THE SAME VEHICLE A 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE RS HATCHBACK LOSES CONTROL WHILE IN MOTION AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES PER HOUR, AS I WAS TURNING LEFT ONTO A TWO LANE STREET. THE CAR LOST STEERING CONTROL SKIDDING OFF THE ROADWAY IN THE DIRECTION ON-COMING TRAFFIC. THE FRONT CONTROL ARM WAS LYING ON THE GROUND DETACHED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER?S SIDE WHEEL. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS WEDGED BETWEEN THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ROAD. I CONTACTED A TOWING SERVICE TO TOW THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS. I BOUGHT AND REPLACED THE FAULTY CONTROL ARM & LOWER BALL JOINTS. JULY 2012, I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR, IN THE LEFT LANE OF A FOUR LANE MAIN THOROUGHFARE, WHEN THE 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE RS HATCHBACK LOSS STEERING CONTROL AND CRASHED TO THE GROUND WHILE IN MOTION, CAUSING THE CAR TO LEAVE THE ROADWAY TOWARDS THE LEFT. I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE AND DISCOVERED THE FRONT CONTROL ARM DETACHED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTROL ARM WAS LYING ON THE GROUND AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL HAD BEEN DAMAGED FROM THE IMPACT AND SKIDDING ALONG THE ROADWAY. I CONTACTED A TOWING SERVICE TO REMOVE THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10473317
Incident
Apr 26, 2010
Mileage
200,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Aug 21, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANG UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR THE SAME REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V421001 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT) BUT HAD ALREADY BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DENIED HAVING THE REPAIR PERFORMED PREVIOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID
10471765
Incident
Aug 15, 2009
Mileage
200,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 12, 2009

MY 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GSX HATCH WILL RELEASE BUT WILL NOT OPEN WHEN RELEASE FROM RELEASING HANDLE ON THE SIDE OF THE DRIVER SEAT FLOOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10258509
Incident
Jan 9, 2009
Mileage
163,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 14, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR A SAFETY ACT THAT WOULD REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS; HOWEVER, AFTER HE RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT IT WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT DUE TO THE TIRE ALIGNMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE DID NOT NEED AN ALIGNMENT WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BALL JOINTS. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND ANOTHER MITSUBISHI DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT FOLLOWING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BALL JOINTS. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 91,000.

NHTSA ID
10238140
Incident
Aug 13, 2008
Mileage
91,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jun 5, 2008

LOWER LATERAL BALL JOINT BROKE OFF AND TIRE CAME OFF OF CAR CAUSING MY DAUGHTER TO LOSE CONTROL OF CAR. FOUND OUT THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PART IN 2002 AND RECORDS SHOW THAT IT HAD BEEN CHANGED. EVIDENTLY THE SAME PART WAS DEFECTIVE AGAIN, I BELIEVE. CAR HAD TO BE FLATBEDDED TO REPAIR SHOP AND FIXED FOR $1100. THANKFULLY SHE WAS NOT GOING FAST AS AAA DRIVER SAID HE HAD GONE OUT ON SEVERAL CALLS FOR THIS CAR WITH THE SAME RESULT AND MANY INJURIES OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10230064
Incident
May 7, 2008
Mileage
60,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 20, 2007

TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE OF MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE 1999 GS DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF FROM THE INSIDE AND NOW I HAVE TO OPEN DOOR FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. CAR WAS TAKING BACK TO DEALERSHIP WHO DIRECTED ME TO THE MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE DOOR LATCH STATING THAT IT WAS UNDER NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR CONDITIONS. THERE ARE TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE TO BE CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS ITEM I AM HAVING BACK ISSUES DUE TO OPENING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10212440
Incident
Sep 10, 2005

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

Mitsubishi Eclipse by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2022000—
2021000—
2012800—
2011100—
2010100—
2009421048.0
2008711051.4
20071074058.5
2006994052.5
2005640—
2004145060.0
20031245053.5
2002734157.5
200120910464.0
200030810358.9
1999Viewing12011053.0
199812913161.6
199713612162.1
199615911465.0
199530712465.3
1994344361.4
1993364357.0
1992493358.4
1991544461.9
1990467460.2
1989201—
1988001—
1987001—
1986001—
1971000—

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.