1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 3%of 159 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 98,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 3% of the 159 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have had to replace brakes 4x's. They should be recalled. Issued complaint. Dealer unhelpful. Breaks squeal loudly even after being fixed. Should be able to retrieve number of times taken to dealer in their system. Dangerous. Now car shakes when stepping on breaks. Never has complete fix to this problem. Husband has had to complain to them as well about the danger of having his wife drive unsafely. Still no fix or proper resolution.”
NHTSA complaint #729502, filed 2000-08“Vehicle will begin to shake/stutter when brakes are applied. Will stop and let go when applying brakes. Dealer replaced rotors 3 times, both front brake pads. Cannot explain problem. Consumer states at times when applying brakes, they will skip, causing vehicle to stop and then go and then stop again, brake light switch was out of adjustment, causing the rear brake light to remain illuminated. Signal lights would not work in cold weather, dealer ordered flasher assembly. Seats would not work, there was material blocking the latch from locking.”
NHTSA complaint #819059, filed 1997-11Related service bulletins
- 10211530Apr 7, 2022This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by…
- 10170074Aug 28, 2015This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | 13% |
| 2005 | 1 | 17% |
| 2003 | 5 | 4% |
| 2002 | 3 | 4% |
| 2001 | 18 | 9% |
| 2000 | 25 | 8% |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
| 1997 | 4 | 3% |
| 1996 | 4 | 3% |
| 1995 | 12 | 4% |
| 1994 | 1 | 3% |
| 1990 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse
27 complaintsBrakes
26 complaintsEngine cooling
26 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsTires
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsWheels
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology