1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1998 Eclipse report a wide spread of problems on an aging sport coupe, with the most frequent themes being transmission and transfer case trouble, coolant and oil leaks traced to the head gasket, and front suspension ball joint failures. Complaints span from low-mileage cars to ones past 200,000 miles, and many describe symptoms that appear gradually (hard shifts, seepage, ticking) alongside a smaller number of sudden failures such as a locked transfer case or a ball joint letting go.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Hard shifting, slipping and transfer case lockup

   • 17 complaints (13%)
   • median 74,000 mi at 7.3 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2005

   Owners of automatic and all-wheel-drive cars describe harsh or delayed shifts, the transmission holding a gear at highway speed, burned or leaking fluid, and grinding when changing gears. Some all-wheel-drive owners report the transfer case locking at speed so the rear wheels stopped turning, requiring a tow. One owner says the dealer declined to repeat recall work because the repair had been done once already. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 125,000 miles, with some noting fluid problems well before that.

   Recall 98V069001

   What to check: Check transmission and transfer case fluid level, color and smell, ask whether the transfer case recall 98V069001 was completed, and drive the car through all gears including at highway speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The car just stopped moving in the middle of a highway and their was no wierd sounds to forwarn me of anything! This happened in january 2001 and the dealer said it was the clutch. The dealer was rude/mean, but then I called Mitsubishi motors and they told the dealer to change the clutch. Here it is 22 months later, 10/2002, and the clutch is going out again the dealer is telling me. …”

   NHTSA complaint #769008, filed 2002-10

   “Transmission slipping and down shifting/ tach red lines before shifting/ burnt transmission fluid at 19000 miles on that fluid also my spark plugs were burnt/ changed fluid ,fluid has now turned yellow miles on fluid 7942/ car is running ver poorly/dealer cannot find the problem seemed very upset because I didn't have the car serviced there.will change trans fluid today the last time I changed the fluid it did shift better for a short period.”

   NHTSA complaint #751508, filed 2001-09
2. 2
   Suspension

   Front lower ball joint wear and failure

   • 8 complaints (6%)
   • median 114,538 mi at 7.7 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2016

   Owners describe clunking or cracking noises over bumps, poor steering feel, and in some cases the front lower ball joint separating while driving. Several say the dealer told them no recall applied to their car, or that a prior recall repair had already been done, before an independent shop identified the joint as the source. Some report replacing control arms repeatedly, with the squeak returning within months. Mostly reported between roughly 55,000 and 140,000 miles, with a few at very high mileage.

   Recall 00V421001

   What to check: Ask for evidence the lower ball joint recall 00V421001 was performed and inspect the boots for tears or grease loss; have a shop check the joints for play before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall I have replaced my control arms about 4 times now in the past 2 years. I have it fixed and then the squeaking always comes back lasts about 6 months then the lower ball joint breaks. Last time it broke I was going about 40 MPH, it was very scary. The picture I sent was taken on 7/28/2014. Though the last time it broke was on 6/20/2015.”

   NHTSA complaint #10838659, filed 2016-02, 200,000 miles

   “Takata recall I have replaced my control arms about 4 times now in the past 2 years. I have it fixed and then the squeaking always comes back, last about 6 months and then lower ball joint breaks. Last time it broke I was going about 40mph, it was very scary. The picture I sent was taken on 7/28/14. The last time it happened was on 6/20/15 and I have had it replaced since.”

   NHTSA complaint #10838656, filed 2016-02, 200,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Head gasket leaks, coolant loss and oil burning

   • 8 complaints (6%)
   • median 65,000 mi at 6.4 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2002–2006

   Complaints describe the engine losing coolant, overheating, and oil seeping from the head gasket area, sometimes with oil and coolant mixing. Owners report being told a head gasket replacement was needed, and in a few cases the engine was later replaced or declared unusable. Some mention the engine using about a quart of oil per week and oil lights that came on intermittently before a larger failure. Reported from about 40,000 to 100,000 miles, often as a gradual loss of coolant or oil rather than a single event.

   What to check: Check the coolant reservoir and oil for mixing or a milky appearance, look for seeping at the head-to-block seam, and ask whether the head gasket has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Had recall done for lateral arm, dealer informed me head gasket was blown, two weeks later both door handles broke off, maybe the door handles shouldn't be made of plastic. The car has been through two alternator belts in the last two years. The car overheats and it melts them right off. You buy a product from Mitsubishi so you dont expect it to be made by chrysler. My sister drives a dodge avenger and we have the same exact engine, and guess what happened to it ---a blown head gasket. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10068125, filed 2004-04, 81,000 miles

   “My 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse has had several problems from the time it was purchased. At 50,000 miles the engine head gasket had to be replaced. And today the engine has a rod thrown and I have been told I will have to replace the whole engine. I had the car in several times before the head gasket was replaced because the oil light came on and off and was told it was just a sensor. After that the light still came on and off and I was told not to worry. The dealership could not find any problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10007773, filed 2003-02, 100,000 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbags failing to deploy or deploying unexpectedly

   • 18 complaints (14%)
   • median 106,368 mi at 13.0 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 17 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2014

   Complaints describe airbags that did not deploy in frontal or side impacts, and a smaller number describe premature deployment while driving or a passenger airbag that caught fire after deployment. One owner reports the passenger airbag cover lifting away from the dash in hot, humid conditions. Owners say dealers and the manufacturer did not investigate in several of these cases. Reported across a wide mileage range, from near-new cars to one over 100,000 miles; several involve hot or humid climates.

   Recall 04V428000

   What to check: Check that the airbag warning lamp cycles normally on start-up, look at the passenger-side dash for a lifting or distorted cover, and ask whether the airbag warning label recall 04V428000 was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Recently, relocated to florida with in 18 months I notice my passenger side air bag is protruding out from the heat and humidity in sw florida. Originally had car in new york and never had this problem. I am very concerned about it exploding while I am driving. Notice on recent recall concerning air bags didn't include my make and model. This 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse gst is making a true statement on the above air bag issue and all statements are true. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10650912, filed 2014-10, 109,000 miles

   “While driving 35 MPH had a direct frontal impact with another vehicle. Upon impact, driver's and passenger's airbags did not deploy, it did not protect occupants in the crash. Dealer and manufacturer were not willing to help or investigate the problem. No prior problems with the airbag system.”

   NHTSA complaint #868222, filed 2000-08
5. 5
   Brakes

   Warped front brake rotors and vibration

   • 6 complaints (5%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 5.3 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2004

   Owners describe shaking or pulsing through the steering wheel and pedal when braking from highway speeds, with rotors resurfaced or replaced more than once. A few report the pedal feeling weak or the car not stopping as expected while braking hard. Several say the work was not covered under warranty. Mostly reported from about 12,000 to 87,000 miles, often recurring within a short period after repair.

   What to check: Test-brake from highway speed on the test drive and feel for pulsation, and ask for service records showing how often rotors were replaced or machined.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The rotors on my brakes lasted a good month and a half before they started to shake violently when I would try to gradually brake from speeds between 45-65 MPH. Today I was exiting the freeway at about 65 MPH and it felt like they just weren't stopping me. There was no pressure. I had the brakes checked out and the pads are like new, the rotors show some warping, however im not sure a warped rotor can cause brake failure. Id like to feel a lot more comfortable while driving my car. Im glad nothing extreme happened.”

   NHTSA complaint #10054241, filed 2004-01, 37,500 miles

   “Have had to have car in 7 times for warped rotors and brakes. Dealership each time has told me I have to pay while under warranty. I did have to buy new brakes while car under warranty due to warped rotor wear. I have been told that I have to pay for all warped rotors and brakes even while under warranty. My brakes feel as though they are going to fail and possibly cause collision. Also, tire just fell off rim driving out of parking lot. Had to put new tires on car after 6 months ownership. Sunroof leaks. …”

   NHTSA complaint #718014, filed 2000-01

Buying note. A 1998 Eclipse is now an old car, so condition and records matter more than the complaint list: confirm the ball joint and transfer case recalls were completed, check for coolant or oil seepage around the head gasket, and pay attention to brake pedal feel and shift quality on a test drive. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent shop is worthwhile given how many of these issues show up only under load or over bumps.

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.