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1996 Mitsubishi EclipseProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 159 owner complaints about the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

37
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.7× the Eclipse median · #4 of 19 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints15938 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage120kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 4, 2017. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse has problems

159 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Suspension274
Engine and engine cooling261
Service brakes, hydraulic244
Air bags1713
Power train162
Structure111
Electrical system93
Steering91
Wheels60
12 other systems436

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Control arm: lower ball joint

Recall 00V-421 · Dec 18, 2000 · 567,432 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Control arm: lower ball joint

Recall 99V-066 · Apr 5, 1999 · 307,000 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 98V-069 · Mar 26, 1998 · 24,275 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mitsubishi.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other Eclipse year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Eclipse median. How we score

'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse safety ratings

1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse/Spyder 2-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse, and the recalls they led to.

  1. TRANSFER CASE LOCKUPEA98002 · closed Apr 30, 1998
    Led to recall 98V-069
  2. TRANSFER CASE LOCKUPPE97040 · closed Jan 30, 1998
    No recall
  3. LOWER CONTRTOL ARM BALL JOINTRQ00015 · closed Apr 20, 2001
    Led to recall 00V-421
  4. TRANSFER CASE LEAKAGERQ98007 · closed Aug 28, 1998
    Led to recall 98V-168
In owners' words

What Eclipse owners report

Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

10/26/01 L FRONT LWR CONTROL ARM BROKE, THE CAR BOUNCED DOWN THE ROAD WHEN SUSP CAME APART. GVILLE MITZ REPLACED THE PARTS AT THE COST OF THE MANF. THE VEHICLE HAD 104000 MI AT THAT TIME. ITEMS LISTED ON REPAIR INVOICE: ARM ASSY (FR SUSP), SHAFT ASSY (FR AXL), SHIELD KIT SPLASH, AIR DAM SIDE FR LH,…
Complaint 10220327 · Mar 6, 2008 · 261,362 miles
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACED. A NHTSA RECALL, #00V421001 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE SUSPENSION HOWEVER,…
Complaint 10153538 · Mar 23, 2006 · 77,000 miles
RE: DEALERSHIP COMPLAINT: REFUSAL TO HONOR EXISTING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 00V421001, 99V066001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE, SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT I RECENTLY TOOK MY 1996 ECLIPSE TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP (ARNOLD MITSUBISHI, ROSEVILLE, MI) TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THIS RECALL…
Complaint 10134692 · Aug 30, 2005

Own a 1996 Eclipse?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.