1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
185
Owner Complaints
12
Recalls
18
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
The 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE has received a total of 185 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 12 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 Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline (17 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingengine (15 complaints), and Air Bagsfrontal (12 complaints).
Recalls for the 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
NHTSA has recorded 12 recalls for the 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE, potentially affecting up to 1,124,967 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 06E044000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 1,215 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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: J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES AT 310-327-4981.
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 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 97V081001 — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
| 119 vehicles affected
Defect: THE HEADREST GUIDE BRACKET WAS IMPROPERLY WELDED TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK ASSEMBLIES ONLY.
Consequence: THE HEADREST SUPPORT BRACKET CAN BREAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY.
View full details →Recall 06E064000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 4,029 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED 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: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
185 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
THIS VEHICLE HAS A RECALL FOR THE LOWER BALL JOINT. AFTER CALLING TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO FIX THIS ISSUE THE VEHICLE SHOWS UP AS ALREADY SERVICED, WHICH MAY HAVE ONLY BEEN AS LITTLE AS AN INSPECTION THAT WAS DONE. THE BALL JOINT IN THIS VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY FAILING AND IS EXTREMELY NOTICEABLE WHILE DRIVING. I AM IN SEARCH OF A RECORD FOR WHO FILED THE SERVICE FOR THIS RECALL OR A CONFIRMATION THAT THIS ISSUE CAN BE "FIXED" ONCE AGAIN UNDER THE SAME RECALL.
I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL ALERT FROM THE DEALER. RIGHT NOW THE DEALER WAS SOLD TO A NEW OWNER. I WENT TO THE DEALER TO BUY A FENDER AND MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT APPEAR IN THE MITSUBISHI COMPUTER SYSTEM HERE IN PUERTO RICO EITHER IN USA. SO I WOULD LIKE AN ADVISE. WHAT I HAVE TO DO. I HAVE ALL THE PURCHASING PAPER FROM THE DEALER AND THE BANK. A LONG TIME AGO I HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE ARM BALL JOINTS BUT I PAID FOR THE REPAIR IN A MECHANIC WORKSHOP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL IN 2010, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
SON DRIVING A ECLIPSE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE GOING 55 MPH AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER CAME OUT RESULTING IN THE DEATH OF ONLY CHILD. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN 1997, THE VEHICLE'S SPEED HAS NOT EXCEEDED 35MPH. ON THREE OCCASIONS, A MECHANIC ADJUSTED THE TRANSMISSION TIMING; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT IT WAS BEST TO CRASH THE VEHICLE SINCE THE COST FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS EQUIVALENT TO A NEW VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
View all Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline complaints →
Safety Rating for the 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. has issued 18 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
83 — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE TECHNICAL INFORMATION REGARDING MANUAL TRANSMISSION FLUID. *TT
01 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
SUBJECT REGARDING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1390 PCM RELEARN. *TT
TSB0123004 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THIS BULLETIN CONTAINS CORRECTED DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE 41 (SOLENOID CIRCUIT ERROR - LR) DIAGNOSIS CHARTS FOR REVISED SERVICE MANUAL PAGES. *JB
TSB9913001 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
PCM REPROGRAMMING & REPLACEMENT SUMMARY (420A ENGINE). *TT
98070120004 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONDITION WITH ENGINE OVERHEATING. *YC
98070120024 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING DOOR POPPING / KNOCKING NOISE. *YC
98070120025 — VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
EXPERIENCING LEAKAGE FROM WINDSHIELD WASHER NOZZLE. *YC
TSB9813012 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
THIS BULLETIN DESCRIBES THE OPERATION OF THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM AND HOW TO DIANOSE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES RELEVANT TO THIS SYSTEM. *YC
TSB9835004 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SERVICE MANUAL REVISION ON ABS DATA LIST REFERENCE AND ACTUATOR TEST REFERENCE TABLES. *YC
TSB9823003 — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
EXPERIENCING POOR A/T SHIFT QUALITY. *YC
Showing 10 of 18 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
- 1992 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE — 65 complaints
- 1993 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE — 44 complaints
- 1994 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE — 53 complaints
- 1995 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE — 440 complaints
- 1996 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE — 220 complaints
- 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE (current)
- 1998 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE — 174 complaints
- 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE — 150 complaints
- 2000 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE — 380 complaints
- 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE — 287 complaints
- 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE — 84 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