1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
220
Owner Complaints
11
Recalls
18
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
The 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE has received a total of 220 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 11 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. 18 technical service bulletins have been issued by Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bagsfrontal (16 complaints), Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Ball Joint (15 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingengine (14 complaints).
Recalls for the 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
NHTSA has recorded 11 recalls for the 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE, potentially affecting up to 1,432,335 vehicles.
Recall 09E025000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 42,540 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
View full details →Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 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.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
View full details →Recall 07E055000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
| 222 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES, P/N E7081H, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WALL OF THE FLARED FITTING OF THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE MATING THREADED FITTINGS FROM BOTTOMING OUT BEFORE AN ADEQUATE SEAL IS ACHIEVED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION OF...
Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AIRTEX AUTOMOTIVE AT 800-880-3056.
View full details →Recall 06E060000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 87,745 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH
Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
View full details →Recall 06E049000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 27,176 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE 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.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
View full details →Recall 06E023000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 292,000 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
View full details →Recall 06E026000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 61,944 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
View full details →Recall 00V421001 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
| 567,432 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE. ALSO, MMC HAS ADDED THE POTENTIAL OF LEAKING MOISTURE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BALL STUD TO CORRODE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERCEDES MMC'S PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN, SEE 99V-066.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT FOR WEAR. BALL JOINTS THAT EXHIBIT WEAR BEYOND THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY DESIGNED LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS. BALL JOINTS THAT ARE WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE...
View full details →Recall 99V066001 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
| 307,000 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RUBBER BOOTS, AND IF THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THEY WILL REPLACE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM AND BALL JOINT ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
View full details →Recall 98V069001 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
| 24,275 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ADEQUACY OF THE TRANSFER CASE OIL VOLUME, TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AND OPERATIONAL DEGRADATION OF THE TRANSFER CASE MECHANISM. IF OIL VOLUME IS INSUFFICIENT, THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF OIL WILL BE ADDED. IF THERE...
View full details →Recall 96V158001 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
| 5,731 vehicles affected
Defect: THE FUEL TANK GASKETS FOR THE FUEL PUMP AND/OR GAUGE UNIT GASKET COULD HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED ALLOWING FUEL OR FUMES TO ESCAPE.
Consequence: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THE FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND IF THE GASKETS ARE FOUND TO BE LEAKING, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, CAPS AND GASKETS.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
220 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE REAR WHEELS SEIZED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,200.
ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODUAL WHILE DRIVING ALL POWER TO CAR JUST LOST. *TR
ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODUAL WHILE DRIVING ALL POWER TO CAR JUST LOST. *TR
ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODUAL WHILE DRIVING ALL POWER TO CAR JUST LOST. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE TRANSFER CASE SUDDENLY STALLED AND LOCKED ALL FOUR WHEELS; HE WAS UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE TRANSFER CASE AND THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIR EXPENSES AS THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 98V069001 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Safety Rating for the 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. has issued 18 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
0313006 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE REPROGRAMMING (420A ENGINE). *TT
98070120012 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
INFORMATION ON A/T SHIFT CABLE KIT INSTALLATION TIP. *YC
98070120023 — STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
INFORMATION ON CONVERTIBLE TOP SIDE RAIL FOAM SEAL INSTALLATION. *YC
97090199017 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SUBJECT ON CYLINDER HEAD DISTORTION INSPECTION. *YC
TSB9723006 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
IGNITION KEY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE. *TW
TSB9711015 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THROTTLE BODY PROCEDURES (ECLIPSE/ECLIPSE SPYDER, MIRAGE, 3000GT) - SERVICE MANUAL REVISION. *TW
TSB9711014 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VALVE GUIDE REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES (ECLIPSE/ECLIPSE SPYDER) - SERVICE MANUAL REVISION. *TW
TSB9716003 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
INTERMITTENT ENGINE MISFIRE. *TW
TSB9716004 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
GENERATOR STATOR REMOVAL - SERVICE MANUAL REVISION. *TW
97040113004 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
SERVICE MANUAL REVISION. *YC
Showing 10 of 18 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE.
Other Model Years of the MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
- 1991 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE — 65 complaints
- 1992 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE — 65 complaints
- 1993 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE — 44 complaints
- 1994 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE — 53 complaints
- 1995 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE — 440 complaints
- 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE (current)
- 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE — 185 complaints
- 1998 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE — 174 complaints
- 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE — 150 complaints
- 2000 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE — 380 complaints
- 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE — 287 complaints
Other MITSUBISHI Models
- MITSUBISHI GALANT — 2,429 total complaints
- MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER — 1,776 total complaints
- MITSUBISHI LANCER — 1,136 total complaints
- MITSUBISHI MONTERO — 989 total complaints
- MITSUBISHI MIRAGE — 940 total complaints
- MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT — 708 total complaints
- MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE — 657 total complaints
- MITSUBISHI 3000GT — 535 total complaints