Model year record

1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse

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

Mitsubishi Eclipse, 1995–1999 generation
Pictured: the 1995–1999 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

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.

Other Mitsubishi Eclipse model years

All Mitsubishi Eclipse recalls by year

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.