FaultScore

1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse body problems

11 of the 220 complaints about the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse are about the body and structure — 5% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 43,000 miles.

B

11

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Roof AND Pillars 5 45.5%
Body 2 18.2%
Hinge AND Attachments 1 9.1%
Door 1 9.1%
Bumpers 1 9.1%
Structure 1 9.1%

Body & Structure across every Mitsubishi Eclipse year

1995 14 7.6%
1996 11 6.0%
1997 10 5.4%
1998 11 6.0%
1999 24 13.0%
2000 41 22.3%
2001 25 13.6%
2002 16 8.7%
2003 32 17.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 16,000 miles Hummelstown, PA

STRUCTURE

BOUGHT CAR IN NOV 1996. ABOUT 5 MONTHS OR SO AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR, THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR CAN DETACHED FROM THE CEILING. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT A COVERED WARRANTY SERVICE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE THREADS NEEDED TO BE REDONE AND THAT THEY WERE STRIPPED. MY CAR ONLY HAD 16,000 MILES ON IT AT THIS TIME. SO THE DEALER APPARENTLY FIXED IT. BUT THEY DIDN'T. WHEN I PUT MY SUN VISOR DOWN THE VISOR SLIPS OUT OF THE PLASTIC HOLDER AND FLIES FORWARD. SOMETIMES THIS HAS ALMOST COST ME MANY ACCIDENTS. SO I LEAVE THE VISOR FORWARD UNTIL I CAN GRAB IT AND TRY TO PUT IT BACK IN PLACE AND HOPE IT STAYS. THE UNIT IS NOT FULLY SECURE. YOU CAN TELL BY LOOKING AT IT, THAT THE VISOR HOLDER WAS REINSTALLED, POORLY. THE VISOR DOES NOT STAY LOCKED IN PLACE WHEN IN USE OR NOT IN USE.

NHTSA complaint #10082630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chula Vista, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

OWNER HAS HARDLY EVER USED THE CONVERTIBLE TOP. THE CONVERTIBLE TOP IS SEPARATING FROM THE FRAME,IT IS BULGING OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10040009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Lake Charles, LA

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

BOTH DOOR HANDLES BROKE OFF IN MY HAND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR.

NHTSA complaint #10020675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Decatur, AL

STRUCTURE:BODY

SUPPORT FRAME FOR ROOF TOO SMALL FOR STRESS PLACED ON THEM.

NHTSA complaint #751664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Diego, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

PROBLEM WITH CONVERTIBLE TOP WHICH WILL NOT GO ALL THE WAY DOWN PROPERLY, AND CAUSING INSIDE DAMAGE TO TOP FABRIC. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY, AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE AT THIS TIME. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #874977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

WHILE OPENING THE DOOR, THE HANDLE BROKE OFF. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #853152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Twin Fall, ID

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. CONSUMER WENT TO PUT THE TOP DOWN WHEN BOTH BRACKETS BENT, CAUSING A FAILURE. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #844625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Walnut, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS

DAMAGE TO FRONT BUMPER ASSEMBLY WHEN LOADING CAR ONTO FLATBED FOR TOWING. NOTE: THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAS A HISTORY OF DIFFERENT PROBLEMS, MINOR AND MAJOR. TRANSMISSION SHOP WAS CONSULTED AND THEY HAVE HAD 5 ALL-WHEEL DRIVE ECLIPSES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND WERE HANDED OVER TO THE DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #710062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Walnut, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

CONVERTIBLE TOP WEATHER STRIP FAILURES.

NHTSA complaint #539848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

MID West City, OK Crash

STRUCTURE:BODY

INVOLVED IN AN HEAD ON COLLISION AT 55MPH THE FLOORBOARD WAS TORN LOOSE ON THE PASSENGER'S FRONT SEAT AND THE FRONT END WAS TOTALED AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #807737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Atlanta, GA

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

CONVERTIBLE TOP LEAKS AT WINDSHIELD AND DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AREA. 8AK

NHTSA complaint #504732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems

← Full 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse report