no report yet
Other: labels
Risk. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
1998 Mitsubishi EclipseProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 129 owner complaints about the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse, most often about the power train. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 26, 2016. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse has problems
129 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
28Power train
21Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
18Air bags17 crash/fire/injury
12Suspension2 crash/fire/injury
11Structure
9Electrical system
9Service brakes, hydraulic
8Latches/locks/linkages
7Vehicle speed control
3910 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 28 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 21 | 1 |
| Air bags | 18 | 17 |
| Suspension | 12 | 2 |
| Structure | 11 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 9 | 3 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 9 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 8 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 0 |
| 10 other systems | 39 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
1998 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
Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
no report yet
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Vehicle speed control
Risk. THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
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
1998 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
1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse safety ratings
1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse, and the recalls they led to.
- TRANSFER CASE LEAKAGELed to recall 98V-168
In owners' words
What Eclipse owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I BOUGHT MY 98 ECLIPSE, STANDARD, IN 2003, NOT EVEN A YEAR AFTER I HAD IT IT DIED ON ME ON THE FREEWAY ONE DAY. TURNED OUT IT WAS THE SPEED SENSOR THAT GOT ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE. ABOUT ANOTHER 6 MONTHS LATER THE FOUND AN OIL LEAK ON THE HEAD GASKET THAT WAS MAKING ME MISFIRE, THAT…
DT: THE CONSUMER HAD MANUFACTURER'S RECALL C9803T REPAIRS DONE. AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL AND THE TRANSFER CASE BROKE. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD HIM TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WOULD SEND HIS…
1) NONE 2) TRANSFER CASE BEGAN LEAKING (HASN'T LOCKED UP YET) 3) NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE, DEALER WILL NOT RECALL FOR A 2ND TIME.
Own a 1998 Eclipse?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.