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Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)Part report

1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
5%of 136 total for the year
Median mileage
121,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the visibility of the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 5% of the 136 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 121,000 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.

“While driving my car at morning 9:00 am on 11/7/2005, all sudden my driver side window glass broken into pieces. I have stopped my car and checked. There is no one around also. But all of a sudden it is broken into pieces completely.”

NHTSA complaint #10141922, filed 2005-11, 121,000 miles

“Fuel relay switch on my mitsuibishi Eclipse 1997 gs has failed on several occasions. In order to get my car to start, I have to go under the hood, wiggle the relay switch and lightly tap on the top of it. This fuel relay has been replaced by dealer and the problem continues to occur, even causing the car to go dead during travel. Dealership claims they do not know why it occurs. (20+ occurrences) enormous amounts of bluish gas fumes coming from the tail pipe, regardless of idle or in motion. …”

NHTSA complaint #10107645, filed 2005-01, 60,000 miles

“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

“The car is missing and makes a knocking sound, hard vibration when idle and car jerks, does not seem to shift up to next gear, engine light comes on. Have taken care into dealership for repair for same problem at least 7 times. Dealership claims they cannot duplicate the problems I report to them. Windows are loose, rattle, and leak. I have had them tightened several times. I sent a letter to dave mckenzie (vp of service and engineering at Mitsubishi) in 10/98. I have not received a response.”

NHTSA complaint #714548, filed 1999-11

Related service bulletins

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200811%
20031310%
200223%
2001147%
2000217%
199911%
199875%
199775%
199664%
199562%
199439%
199313%
199224%
199024%

Other parts of the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Engine cooling
41 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
22 complaints
Suspension
16 complaints
Air bags
14 complaints
Brakes
10 complaints
Body and structure
10 complaints
Wheels
8 complaints
Steering
7 complaints
Vehicle speed control
7 complaints
Tires
6 complaints
Fuel system
5 complaints
Electrical 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 28, 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