1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems
Owners have filed 174 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Transmission is the most reported problem area, at 11% of complaints. After that come engine (11%) and air bags (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 174 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Transmission 12% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 23 and 6
- Injuries and deaths
- 13 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 81,000 miles 52 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 0 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 7 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 10 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 6 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 13 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 9 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 5 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 2 |
What the data shows
Among the 52 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 81,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 23 complaints mention a crash; 6 complaints mention a fire; 13 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1998 ranks 8th most-complained-about out of 18 model years of the Mitsubishi Eclipse with enough data (92 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
While driving 45 MPH had a direct frontal impact, and driver's/passenger's airbags did not deploy, which did not protect the occupants in this crash. Driver/passenger sustained injuries, and vehicle was totaled.
Air bag did not deploy when vehicle slid in back of a mail truck at approximately 45 MPH on a wet road condition . Dealer notified. Consumer sustained injuries on neck/shoulder/knee and chin.
When vehicle was involved in a rear end crash traveling at 65 MPH, there was no deployment of driver's or passenger's air bags.
"takata recall" I have replaced my control arms about 4 times now in the past 2 years. I have it fixed and then the squeaking always comes back, last about 6 months and then lower ball joint breaks. Last time it broke I was going about 40MPH, it was very scary. The picture I sent was taken on 7/28/14. The last time it happened was on 6/20/15 and I have had it replaced since.
While driving highway speeds, the consumer heard a popping noise form the transfer case. The rear tire locked up, however the consumer managed to pull over and had the vehicle towed. The cause was not determined. Please provide more information.