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1997 Mitsubishi EclipseProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 136 owner complaints about the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

39
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.5× the Eclipse median · #5 of 19 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints13639 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage97kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 3, 2017. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse has problems

136 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
Engine and engine cooling413
Power train223
Suspension162
Air bags1414
Structure100
Service brakes, hydraulic93
Wheels81
Steering72
Visibility71
9 other systems327

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

3 recalls

1997 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

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

1997 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

1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse safety ratings

1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse 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
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse, and the recalls they led to.

  1. TRANSFER CASE LEAKAGERQ98007 · closed Aug 28, 1998
    Led to recall 98V-168
In owners' words

What Eclipse owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

SQUEALING BELTS AT STARTUP, INCONSISTENT SMALL LEAKS OF COOLANT, HESITATION AT 2K RPM WERE ONLY PRE-CURSORS. OUT OF NOWHERE, WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, I LOOKED AT GAUGES FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON....NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE WAS RISING, EVENTUALLY GOING AS FAR AS IT COULD ABOVE H. SO I LOOK FOR SMOKE…
Complaint 10160636 · Jun 23, 2006 · 125,000 miles
CONSTANT OVER HEATING AND FLUID COMING OUT OF THE RADIATOR CAP, ALSO SEVERE SHAKING IN THE STERRING WHEEL AND 4TH GEAR. WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT?
Complaint 10146542 · Dec 30, 2005 · 103,000 miles
CONSUMER NOTICED OIL IN THE DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC TO DETECT WHERE THE OIL WAS LEAKING FROM. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. HEAD GASKET HAS WAS REVISED TWICE BY THE MANUFACTURER BEFORE THEY HAD ONE THAT WORKED. DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED WITH THE…
Complaint 10091759 · Sep 10, 2004 · 57,000 miles

Own a 1997 Eclipse?

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