1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year cluster around two themes: front suspension ball joints and the lower control arms, and engine and cooling problems such as oil leaks, overheating and sudden stalling. Reported mileages span from near-new to well past 150,000 miles, so many of the faults appear as wear items that develop gradually rather than as single early failures.

1. 1
   Suspension

   Front lower ball joint and control arm wear

   • 10 complaints (7%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 7.9 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2017

   Owners describe knocking or rattling from the front end, especially over bumps or in sharp turns, and some report the wheelbase or steering alignment shifting. Several complaints mention that a lower ball joint recall was performed on their vehicle yet the same symptom later returned, or that only one of the two lower arms was replaced. Dealers and shops are described as replacing the arms or joints, sometimes at the owner's expense. Roughly 30,000 to 170,000 miles, often noticed as a noise that builds up over time.

   Recall 00V421001

   What to check: Ask whether the lower ball joint recall was completed and which arms were replaced, then have a shop inspect both lower ball joints and boots for looseness, corrosion or torn boots before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10928203, filed 2016-11, 25 miles

   “Front suspension lower control arms ball joint. Loud knocking sound evident on drivers side. Wheel base on drivers side is 1998 while passenger side is still at 1999 previous recall concerns did not state which lower control arm to be replaced. Dealer replaced the smaller straight arm and not the l-shaped one. The lower l-shaped arm ball joint controls the wheelbase when seperated could send the vehicle airborn by wheel to frame contact.”

   NHTSA complaint #10036726, filed 2003-08, 30,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Engine stops unexpectedly or loses power

   • 30 complaints (22%)
   • median 97,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2006

   Complaints describe the engine quitting at speed or on acceleration, with the check engine light coming on and the car sometimes restarting after a few minutes. A few owners were told the cause involved a thrust or crank bearing, and some report repeated stalling that no dealer could trace. Others link rough running to ignition and fuel-related parts rather than the engine itself. Mileage varies widely; reports range from low mileage up to around 125,000 miles, at mixed speeds and conditions.

   What to check: Look for stored fault codes, listen for tapping or knocking with the clutch pressed, and ask whether the engine has been replaced or rebuilt.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have owned my care for 3 years. In that time I have had a leaking sunroof, broken passenger rear view mirror, broken passenger window wont roll up , numerous tire changes, bad vibration, horrible noises when turning wheel, have replaced 2 transmissions, both tie rod ends, 1 lower ball joint and control arm suspension bar more info on this below , alternator, both headlights, 4 differant seats of breaks, 2 seats constintly running low on oil, replaced the fuel filter, seat belts don't stop, battery cables keep caroding, replace spark plugs …”

   NHTSA complaint #10090522, filed 2004-09, 158,065 miles

   “The vehicle experienced two engine failures within 6 months, the engine simply stopped functioning without warning, the consumer was told that the thrust bearing failed causing the engine to fail. Nlm the first occasion was when consumer was driving at highway speeds, the second occasion occurred while accelerating from a stop through an intersection.”

   NHTSA complaint #563034, filed 2001-09
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission and transfer case problems

   • 15 complaints (11%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 7.3 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2008

   Owners describe the automatic transmission dropping out of gear while driving, repeated transmission replacements, and a manual clutch pedal that stays on the floor until the engine is restarted. Several mention fluid leaking from the transfer case on all-wheel-drive versions. Some complaints state that the dealer could not identify a cause or that repair costs were left with the owner. Mostly reported between about 80,000 and 100,000 miles, though some complaints came in at lower mileage.

   Recall 98V069001

   What to check: Check the transfer case and transmission for fluid leaks and ask for service records on fluid changes or replacements; on a manual, test that the clutch pedal returns fully after each press.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse gsx all-wheel-drive. I have a leak in the transfer case, which prematurely causes wear on the case housing and can lead to a part failure resulting in wheel lockage while driving. This is a huge safety hazard and the dealership in my area has ignored my concerns and causing me grow very concerned when I drive my vehicle. Can you please intervene here and have them fix this problem?”

   NHTSA complaint #10129615, filed 2005-07, 1,000 miles

   “In june of 1998 I began experiencing the clutch intermittently sticking (sometimes to the ground and I would have to manually pull the clutch up while driving) at speeds of anywhere from 5 to 65 miles an hour. After numerous attempts to fix my car in a period of four months the dealer I have been having my car serviced at (todey mitsubihi in ventura, ca) has finally diagnosed the problem as a faulty engine, apparently the engine is actually shifting and this was causing my clutch problems. …”

   NHTSA complaint #714691, filed 1999-11
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Overheating and coolant loss

   • 8 complaints (6%)
   • median 103,000 mi at 9.2 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2006

   Complaints describe the temperature gauge climbing into the hot range while driving, coolant pushing out of the radiator cap, and a heater that blows cold. In several cases a thermostat replacement resolved it, and others mention coolant leaking from a damaged or road-hit radiator. One owner reports squealing belts and small coolant leaks before a sudden overheat. Reported from low mileage up to about 125,000 miles, sometimes on the highway and sometimes in traffic.

   What to check: Check the coolant level and condition, confirm the cooling fan runs, and ask whether the thermostat, water pump or radiator has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Squealing belts at startup, inconsistent small leaks of coolant, hesitation at 2k RPM were only pre-cursors. Out of nowhere, while driving on highway, I looked at gauges for no particular reason....noticed the temperature was rising, eventually going as far as it could above h. So I look for smoke in rear view....nothing. I turn down the radio to listen for noises......nothing. Everything seems fine. Hoping that air through the radiator would cool the engine......not working. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10160636, filed 2006-06, 125,000 miles

   “About a week after purchasing the car, it sat for 3 days while I was away on navy business. When I returned, I had to sit in heavy traffic. I noticed the engine temp gauge was full hot. I finally got to a road to let the engine breath, and the gauge didn't go down. I took the car to kelly Mitsubishi the next day and told them what happen. I also told them that the heater didn't put out hot air. They replaced the thermostat and everything was fine. No problems since then.”

   NHTSA complaint #704482, filed 1999-03
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Oil leaks and head gasket seepage

   • 12 complaints (9%)
   • median 93,437 mi at 7.2 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2006

   Owners report oil spots on the driveway, smoke from under a front wheel or from the tailpipe, and low oil level without warning. Some complaints say a mechanic traced the loss to the head gasket, and one describes a revised gasket being fitted after earlier versions leaked. A few owners report the engine being damaged after running low on oil. Commonly reported between about 57,000 and 97,000 miles, usually noticed as a gradual leak.

   What to check: Check the oil level and look for residue under the engine and around the head gasket area, and ask whether the head gasket or oil pan seals have been replaced.

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the front ball joints and lower control arms, engine oil leaks and cooling system, and transmission or transfer case leaks. Ask for records showing whether the lower ball joint and transfer case recalls were completed, and budget for servicing wear items on a vehicle of this age.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.