1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 5%of 136 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 117,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 5% of the 136 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 117,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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 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 atleast 3 to 4 times a year, vibrates when going…”
NHTSA complaint #10090522, filed 2004-09, 158,065 miles“While driving 50 MPH the vehicle's steering malfunction. As a result the vehicle lost control without warning. The cause has yet to be determined. No report of impact. Please provide any additional information.”
NHTSA complaint #10064888, filed 2004-03, 100,000 miles“1 and 1/2 years after I bought my brand new car, the check engine light went on. I was told that my water pump and gasket needed to be replaced. One week later I experienced a problem with the power steering, I was told the power steering pully, bracket and belt had gone and would need to be replaced. Since then I have had the brake pads and the roters resurfaced more times then I care to remember. On july 26, 1999, I had noticed a problem with my transmission. I immediately brought it to the dealership, they told me that the trans was operating to manufacture's specs . …”
NHTSA complaint #714417, filed 1999-11“The contact owns a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle spun out of control and crashed into the curb. The road conditions were foggy and damp. The mechanic was unable to diagnose the cause of failure. Approximately three years later, the vehicle jerked to the right and the left. The mechanic stated that the lower control arm and rod ends needed to be replaced. There is a recall for the lower ball joint (recall # 00v421001). The powertrain was unknown. The current mileage is 130,000 and failure mileage was 80,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10193838, filed 2007-06, 80,000 miles“While driving at approximately 10 MPH about to turn the power steering wheel locked up, had to manually turn wheel. Opened hood/found out belt was hanging out of place.”
NHTSA complaint #818166, filed 1997-11Related service bulletins
- 10170096Mar 5, 2013This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170100Feb 6, 2013This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 2 | 14% |
| 2003 | 6 | 5% |
| 2001 | 9 | 4% |
| 2000 | 11 | 4% |
| 1999 | 13 | 11% |
| 1998 | 4 | 3% |
| 1997 | 7 | 5% |
| 1996 | 9 | 6% |
| 1995 | 10 | 3% |
| 1994 | 2 | 6% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
| 1990 | 3 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse
41 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsSuspension
16 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsWheels
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsTires
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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