Model year record

1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 174 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V428000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN
Vehicles affected
100,432
Reported to NHTSA
2004-09-01

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Safety risk

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Manufacturer remedy

MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

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 98V045001

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI AMERICA
Vehicles affected
20,974
Reported to NHTSA
1998-03-03
Owners notified
1998-04-08

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DASH PANEL PAD CAN SHIFT INTERFERRING WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.

Safety risk

THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE A PORTION OF THE DASH PANEL PAD SO IT CANNOT INTERFERE WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags: frontal14
Engine and engine cooling: engine1285,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1054,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint771,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch6100,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission690,000 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)568,000 mi
Tires5103,000 mi
Unknown or other530,000 mi
Air bags4109,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor450,000 mi
Suspension4200,000 mi
Vehicle speed control4100,000 mi
Wheels: rim424,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling350,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift3
Structure: body: roof and pillars354,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal382,560 mi
Electrical system2
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator281,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly240,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline250,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2100,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages244,000 mi
Power train2
Power train: clutch assembly2
Seats287,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor237,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly2137,077 mi
Structure: body: door222,000 mi
Structure: frame and members239,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2
Electrical system: horn1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: wiring1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual1
Exterior lighting1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: driveline: differential unit180,000 mi
Seat belts1
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, hydraulic1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1
Steering: rack and pinion: pinion shaft137,500 mi
Structure144,000 mi
Structure: body1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments163,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate1
Suspension: front1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1137,077 mi
Tires: sidewall1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1
Visibility: windshield1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1

The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1999 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.