Model year record

1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 220 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V421001

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI AMERICA
Vehicles affected
567,432
Reported to NHTSA
2000-12-18
Owners notified
2001-04-02

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V066001

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI AMERICA
Vehicles affected
307,000
Reported to NHTSA
1999-04-05
Owners notified
1999-06-15

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V069001

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI AMERICA
Vehicles affected
24,275
Reported to NHTSA
1998-03-26
Owners notified
1998-04-20

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V158001

Fuel system, gasoline

Component
Fuel system, gasoline
Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI AMERICA
Vehicles affected
5,731
Reported to NHTSA
1996-08-27
Owners notified
1996-08-21

Defect description

THE FUEL TANK GASKETS FOR THE FUEL PUMP AND/OR GAUGE UNIT GASKET COULD HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED ALLOWING FUEL OR FUMES TO ESCAPE.

Safety risk

IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THE FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND IF THE GASKETS ARE FOUND TO BE LEAKING, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, CAPS AND GASKETS.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags: frontal16
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint15105,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1440,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1119,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline8
Power train: automatic transmission671,250 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip6
Vehicle speed control6
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components5
Structure: body: roof and pillars5
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint5120,000 mi
Unknown or other5120,000 mi
Seats4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc4
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump4
Suspension: front: control arm4
Tires4
Electrical system351,850 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.3
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly3
Power train: clutch assembly376,360 mi
Power train: manual transmission3122,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads3
Suspension: front3261,362 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly3
Wheels3
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system280,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe280,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights2
Exterior lighting: headlights298,000 mi
Power train289,200 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper2
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2
Structure: body2
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm2
Tires: tread/belt2
Visibility: glass, side/rear2
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2
Wheels: rim2
Air bags1
Electrical system: horn1
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: wiring1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Electronic stability control (ESC)1
Engine and engine cooling1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)176,360 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1
Equipment1261,362 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1
Fuel system, gasoline1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1
Parking brake: conventional1
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1
Power train: driveline171,250 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)180,000 mi
Seat belts: front1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic1
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Steering1
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1
Structure116,000 mi
Structure: body: bumpers1
Structure: body: door1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments170,000 mi
Suspension1
Vehicle speed control: springs1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: windshield1

The 1995 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.