Owners have filed 65 complaints
about the 1992 Mitsubishi Eclipse with NHTSA between 1995 and 2011.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Column Shift
725.0%
Automatic Transmission
621.4%
Transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)
414.3%
Engine
310.7%
Axle Assembly
27.1%
Gasoline
27.1%
Webbing
27.1%
Ignition
27.1%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
116.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
466.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
116.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 1995peak 7Jun 2011
NHTSA investigations into the 1992 Mitsubishi Eclipse
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
RQ98007Opened 11 May 1998Closed 28 Aug 1998POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSFER CASE LEAKAGE
THE TRANSFER CASE OF THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD), MITSUBISHI GALANT, ALLEGEDLY LEAKS OIL CAUSING ONE OR MORE WHEELS TO LOCKUP; OR THE INABILITY TO TRANSMIT ENGINE POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS.THE VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME TRANSFER CASE DESIGN AS THE ECLIPSE VEHICLES WHICH HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME ALLEGED DEFECT.
EA98002Opened 30 Jan 1998Closed 30 Apr 1998WHEELS
TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP
PE97040Opened 4 Sep 1997Closed 30 Jan 1998WHEELS
TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP
ALLEGED DRIVETRAIN FAILURE THAT CAN LEAD TO LOCK-UP OF THE REAR OR ALL WHEELS.
Recalls on the 1992 Mitsubishi Eclipse
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
09E025000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
06E026000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
98V069001
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 130,000 milesNewark, CAFire
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAL WAS LEAKING FROM THE TRANSFER CASE. IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE FAILURE, THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE SEALS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V069001 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. KMJ
NHTSA complaint #10407572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yorba Linda, CACrash1 injured
TIRES
RIGHT REAR THREAD SEPARATED AT 65 MILES PER HOUR CAUSING LOSS OF CONTOL OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE DID AT LEAST 360 DEGREE SPIN HITTING THE CENTER CONCRETE DIVIDER SQUARLEY. NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. MINOR INJURIES. (TIRESIZE: 195/70-14)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 195/70-14 )
NHTSA complaint #733466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yorba Linda, CACrash1 injured
TIRES
RIGHT REAR THREAD SEPARATED AT 65 MILES PER HOUR CAUSING LOSS OF CONTOL OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE DID AT LEAST 360 DEGREE SPIN HITTING THE CENTER CONCRETE DIVIDER SQUARLEY. NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. MINOR INJURIES.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 195/70-14 )
NHTSA complaint #733466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yorba Linda, CACrash1 injured
TIRES
RIGHT REAR THREAD SEPARATED AT 65 MILES PER HOUR CAUSING LOSS OF CONTOL OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE DID AT LEAST 360 DEGREE SPIN HITTING THE CENTER CONCRETE DIVIDER SQUARLEY. NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. MINOR INJURIES.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 195/70-14 )
NHTSA complaint #733466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yorba Linda, CACrash1 injured
TIRES
RIGHT REAR THREAD SEPARATED AT 65 MILES PER HOUR CAUSING LOSS OF CONTOL OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE DID AT LEAST 360 DEGREE SPIN HITTING THE CENTER CONCRETE DIVIDER SQUARLEY. NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. MINOR INJURIES.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 195/70-14 )
NHTSA complaint #733466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yorba Linda, CACrash1 injured
TIRES
RIGHT REAR THREAD SEPARATED AT 65 MILES PER HOUR CAUSING LOSS OF CONTOL OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE DID AT LEAST 360 DEGREE SPIN HITTING THE CENTER CONCRETE DIVIDER SQUARLEY. NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. MINOR INJURIES.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 195/70-14 )
NHTSA complaint #733466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 130,000 milesNewark, CAFire
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAL WAS LEAKING FROM THE TRANSFER CASE. IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE FAILURE, THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE SEALS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V069001 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. KMJ
NHTSA complaint #10407572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesSpringfield, VA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MITSHUBISHI ECLIPSE. AFTER VISITING THE NHTSA WEBSITE NOTICED RECALL#98V069001 WAS RELATED TO THIS VEHICLE CONCERNING POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. ALSO. THERE WAS A LEAK COMING FROM THE TRANSFER CASE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL RELATED TO THIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,500.
NHTSA complaint #10189050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesSpringfield, VA
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MITSHUBISHI ECLIPSE. AFTER VISITING THE NHTSA WEBSITE NOTICED RECALL#98V069001 WAS RELATED TO THIS VEHICLE CONCERNING POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. ALSO. THERE WAS A LEAK COMING FROM THE TRANSFER CASE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL RELATED TO THIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,500.
NHTSA complaint #10189050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
POWER TRAIN
1992 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION, NEW ENGINE, AND COOLING SYSTEM. **CC
NHTSA complaint #10178534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1992 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION, NEW ENGINE, AND COOLING SYSTEM. **CC
NHTSA complaint #10178534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tulsa, OK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
THE STARTER IN THE CONSUMER'S 1992 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE FAILED. *NM *SB
NHTSA complaint #10127914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dayton, TN
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK. THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER CONTACTED ABOUT A RECALL RELATED TO THIS FAILURE AND REQUESTED ASSISTANCE IN REPLACING DEFECTIVE PARTS (RECALL # 98V0069001). THE TIRE BELTS OF THREE TIRES BROKE. THE TIRES WERE UNDER ONE YEAR OLD AND HAD 37,000 MILES ON THEM. THE DEALER REFUSED TO GIVE THE CONSUMER A CREDIT FOR THE DEFECTIVE TIRES (GOODYEAR CONCORDE) ( REFERENCE# 10011917-NVS216GH). *SCC *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10026597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesCincinnati, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
THE VEHICLES CRANK PULLEY SHAFT CAME APART WHILE DRIVING. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10017987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesCincinnati, OH
WHEELS:RIM
THE RIMS BENT WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE AT HIGH SPEEDS. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10017993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,000 milesCincinnati, OH
STRUCTURE
THE VEHICLES STRAP LINK FAILED AND CAUSED THE CONVERTIBLE TOP TO BE INOPERATIVE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10017991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dayton, TN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE CONSUMER REQUESTED INFORMATION REGARDING SAFETY RECALLS. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10011917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Carlos, CA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION BLOCK IS SLIPPING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK FORWARD. NLM
NHTSA complaint #753803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oxnard, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
ECU UNIT HAD ONE OF THE DIODES EXPLODE ON TO THE MAIN BOARD CAUSING COMPLETE FAILURE TO THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #757866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bakersville, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. CONSUMER HAD TO TURN VEHICLE OFF FOR IT TO COME TO A STOP. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #899283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Barre, VT
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
WHILE HAVING LEFT REAR TIRE TAKEN OFF AT TIRE RETAILER, REAR AXLE FELL OFF ONTO THE GROUND, HAD NO PRIOR WARNINGS, AND NO RUST ON VEHICLE.*AK *NLM
NHTSA complaint #896667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Peoria, IL
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
OWNER REPLACED TRANSFER CASE BECAUSE OF LOCK UP. MITSUBISHI CLAIMS THE RECALL WAS DONE AND THEY ARE NOT LIABLE FOR DAMAGE WHEN IN FACT THE PART WAS ONLY INSPECTED AND NOT DEEMED A RISH AT THAT TIME. THEY ARE NOW REFUSING SERVICE UNLESS THE BROKEN PART IS PLACED BACK ON THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE IS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #9003592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coco Beach, FL
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
CONSUMER HAD INSPECTED TIRES AND FOUND THAT FRONT RIGHT TIRE HAD A TREAD SEPARATION.
NHTSA complaint #883559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brandon, FL
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH FRONT HOOD BECAME UNLATCHED/ FLYING/ SMASHING WINDSHIELD, AND HITTING ROOF OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #881150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gilbert, AZ
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAR WILL GO FOR A VERY SHORT DISTANCE WHEN YOU TAKE OFF, THEN CAR WON'T MOVE WHEN YOU PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. TOOK TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THEY SAID IT WAS SOMETHING INTERNAL IN THE TRANSMISSION. JUST TO TAKE IT APART WOULD COST $375. AFTER THAT, IT COULD COST ANYWHERE FROM $1100 TO $2200 TO FIX.THIS CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS SINCE WE PURCHASED IT. BY THE TIME WE FINISH PUTTING MONEY INTO IT, WE WILL HAVE SPENT MORE FOR REPAIRS THAN WE DID TO BUY THE CAR. IF THERE ARE ANY PARTS THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW BEFORE I PUT ANYMORE MONEY INTO THIS CAR.
NHTSA complaint #740928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
IDLE SPEED CONTROL MOTOR FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THE LIFE OF THE CAR (THAT I AM AWARE OF). DEALER TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME EXCEPT SELL ME A NEW PART ( $250.00 ). THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND DOES NOTHING TO FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #734458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
IDLE SPEED CONTROL MOTOR FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THE LIFE OF THE CAR (THAT I AM AWARE OF). DEALER TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME EXCEPT SELL ME A NEW PART ( $250.00 ). THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND DOES NOTHING TO FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #734458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yorba Linda, CACrash1 injured
TIRES
RIGHT REAR THREAD SEPARATED AT 65 MILES PER HOUR CAUSING LOSS OF CONTOL OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE DID AT LEAST 360 DEGREE SPIN HITTING THE CENTER CONCRETE DIVIDER SQUARLEY. NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. MINOR INJURIES. (TIRESIZE: 195/70-14)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 195/70-14 )
NHTSA complaint #733466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yorba Linda, CACrash1 injured
TIRES
RIGHT REAR THREAD SEPARATED AT 65 MILES PER HOUR CAUSING LOSS OF CONTOL OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE DID AT LEAST 360 DEGREE SPIN HITTING THE CENTER CONCRETE DIVIDER SQUARLEY. NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. MINOR INJURIES.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 195/70-14 )
NHTSA complaint #733466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yorba Linda, CACrash1 injured
TIRES
RIGHT REAR THREAD SEPARATED AT 65 MILES PER HOUR CAUSING LOSS OF CONTOL OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE DID AT LEAST 360 DEGREE SPIN HITTING THE CENTER CONCRETE DIVIDER SQUARLEY. NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. MINOR INJURIES.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 195/70-14 )
NHTSA complaint #733466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yorba Linda, CACrash1 injured
TIRES
RIGHT REAR THREAD SEPARATED AT 65 MILES PER HOUR CAUSING LOSS OF CONTOL OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE DID AT LEAST 360 DEGREE SPIN HITTING THE CENTER CONCRETE DIVIDER SQUARLEY. NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. MINOR INJURIES.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 195/70-14 )
NHTSA complaint #733466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.