Model year record

1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse

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

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.