Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling41
- Power train22
- Suspension16
- Air bags14
- Structure10
- Service brakes, hydraulic9
- Wheels8
- Vehicle speed control7
- Steering7
- Visibility7
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 16 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse failed the safety check 0.89% of the time — 44% less often than the average 1997 passenger car (1.60%). Median odometer at inspection: 116,786 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
32 first registered in 1997 are on Dutch roads; 47% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen9
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm7
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld7
- Roestschade as, wielgeleidingselement of reactiestang5
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde5
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect5
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm5
- Band beschadigd4
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
2 cars built in 1997 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 11 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In Finland
7 of these cars first registered in 1997 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 230,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.
THE HEADREST GUIDE BRACKET WAS IMPROPERLY WELDED TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK ASSEMBLIES ONLY.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mitsubishi told its dealers about the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 637066 | SUBJECT REGARDING REPLACEMENT CRANK ANGLE SENSOR WIRE COLORS. *TT |
| 636929 | SUBJECT REGARDING MANUAL TRANSMISSION FLUID. *TT |
| 636895 | VEHICLE TECHNICAL INFORMATION REGARDING MANUAL TRANSMISSION FLUID. *TT |
| 634624 | SUBJECT REGARDING CORRECTED AIR CONDITIONER MAGNETIC CLUTCH SERVICE PROCEDURES. *JG |
| 622435 | SUBJECT REGARDING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1390 PCM RELEARN. *TT |
| 618250 | SUBJECT REGARDING POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACEMENT. *JB |
| 618219 | SERVICE MANUAL REVISION ON REVOLUTION PICK-UP SENSOR RESISTANCE. *JB |
| 618198 | THIS BULLETIN CONTAINS CORRECTED DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE 41 (SOLENOID CIRCUIT ERROR - LR) DIAGNOSIS CHARTS FOR REVISED SERVICE MANUAL PAGES. *JB |
| 615981 | THIS BULLETIN DESCRIBES HOW TO INSTALL THE NEW POWER SEAT SLIDE MOTOR. *TT |
| 614011 | THIS BULLETIN CONTAINS OBD-II DRIVE CYCLE PROCEDURES AND WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION FOR OBD-II DRIVE CYCLE ON AFFECTED VEHICLES. *TT |
| 610451 | INFORMATION AND RELATED INSTALLATION PROCEDURES ABOUT A NEW, IMPROVED HEAD GASKET FOR VEHILCES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.0L, NON-TURBO, 420A ENGINE. *TT |
| 6088731 | THIS BULLETIN CONTAINS RECOMMENDED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION / TRANSAXLE MAINTENANCE INFORMATION. *TT |
| 6088726 | THIS BULLETIN CONTAINS RECOMMENDED MANUAL TRANSMISSION / TRANSAXLE MAINTENANCE INFORMATION. *TT |
| 606606 | INFORMATION REGARDING INTERMITTENT LOSS OF CRUISE CONTROL. *TT |
| 606603 | SUBJECT REGARDING CHRYSLER REPROGRAMMING CATRIDGE ROUND-UP. *TT |
| 606596 | INFORMATION REGARDING CYLINDER HEAD GASKETS FOR REMANUFACTURED SHORT BLOCKS. *TT |
| 604262 | PCM REPROGRAMMING & REPLACEMENT SUMMARY (420A ENGINE). *TT |
| 604258 | CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF A SQUEAKING, A HARD RUBBING NOISE, AND / OR A LIGHT TAPPING OR KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS. *TT |
| 604256 | VEHICLES EXHIBITING POPPING AND/OR CREAKING NOISE IN DOOR WINDOW GLASS. *TT |
| 602933 | SUBJECT REGARDING POWER STEERING BELT ALIGNEMENT AND TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURES. *YC |
| 602932 | CONCERNS WITH DELAYED TRANSAXLE ENGAGEMENT. *YC |
| 602928 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE FRONT WINDSHIELD WASHER NOZZLE LEAKAGE. *YC |
| 602458 | 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 |
| 602049 | BRIEF INFORMATION ON ADHESION PROMOTERS. *YC |
| 602046 | EXPERIENCING LEAKAGE FROM WINDSHIELD WASHER NOZZLE. *YC |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
TRANSFER CASE LEAKAGE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation