Model year record

1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 185 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 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 97V081001

Seats: front assembly: head restraint

Component
Seats: front assembly: head restraint
Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI AMERICA
Vehicles affected
119
Reported to NHTSA
1997-05-12
Owners notified
1997-06-16

Defect description

THE HEADREST GUIDE BRACKET WAS IMPROPERLY WELDED TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK ASSEMBLIES ONLY.

Safety risk

THE HEADREST SUPPORT BRACKET CAN BREAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline17
Engine and engine cooling: engine1589,875 mi
Air bags: frontal12
Power train: automatic transmission6158,065 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars6
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint680,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling597,000 mi
Suspension5158,065 mi
Vehicle speed control5
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system4103,000 mi
Tires4
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly460,000 mi
Wheels478,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly3
Power train: clutch assembly3
Power train: manual transmission360,000 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)31,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3
Wheels: rim378,000 mi
Air bags2
Electrical system: ignition: module2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly2
Steering2100,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump2
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly280,000 mi
Suspension: front2
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm230,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint280,000 mi
Unknown or other2
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2
Visibility: power window devices and controls2158,065 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2104,000 mi
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: starter assembly: relay160,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Exterior lighting1151,475 mi
Exterior lighting: back up lights1
Exterior lighting: headlights1158,065 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Fuel system, gasoline1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery160,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Power train190,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1
Power train: axle hubs1
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seats1
Seats: mid/rear assembly1
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1158,065 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1158,065 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting1134,000 mi
Structure: body1
Structure: body: bumpers1
Structure: body: door160,000 mi
Structure: frame and members1
Suspension: front: shock absorber1
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1
Tires: sidewall1
Tires: tread/belt1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1121,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1158,065 mi
Visibility: windshield1

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1998 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.