1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 6%of 129 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 6% of the 129 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,000 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 purchased my 1998 Eclipse gs in 2003 with approx. 38,000 miles on it. Within 2 months, my driver's door handle broke when opening the door. This occurred on a day in the middle of the summer. Not thinking much about it, I had it replaced at a cost of almost $300.00 (parts, labor, & paint) it happened again within 3 months. The dealership replaced this one also and only charged me for the part, a mere $175.00. About 6 months later, my girlfriend at the time was opening the passenger door and that handle broke off. This makes 3 broken door handles in 11 months. …”
NHTSA complaint #10347150, filed 2010-08, 44,000 miles“I bought my 98 Eclipse, standard, in 2003, not even a year after I had it it died on me on the freeway one day. Turned out it was the speed sensor that got me stranded in the middle of no where. About another 6 months later the found an oil leak on the head gasket that was making me misfire, that was fixed. The car was fine until about 2 months ago when the engine went out on me because apparently the engine oil and coolant were somehow mixing, my hoses were out, so was my water pump, o2 sensor and fuel pump sensor, all at the same time. …”
NHTSA complaint #10159663, filed 2006-06, 100,000 miles“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. Maybe you people should stand behind your product and fix the ever so common problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10068125, filed 2004-04, 81,000 miles“Door handle on outside of car broke while trying to open the door parked in my garage. Temp in garage around 35 f. Car still has not been fixed and door is unusable as a result. Parts will have to ordered from dealer and then a body shop will have to paint to match. Car is seven years old this shouldn't be happening.”
NHTSA complaint #10112090, filed 2005-02, 122,320 miles“Front brakes on 1998 mistubishi Eclipse vibrate when brakes applied. Vehicle has experienced this brake failure 4 times in the last 4 years. Rotors resurfaced at 12,000 miles. Rotors replaced at 27,000 miles and resurfaced and replaced again at 77,000 miles. This is unacceptable. Exterior door handles broke twice. (plastic)”
NHTSA complaint #10005597, filed 2003-02, 87,000 milesLatches, locks and linkages: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2 | 3% |
| 2005 | 2 | 33% |
| 2003 | 2 | 2% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
| 1999 | 7 | 6% |
| 1998 | 8 | 6% |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% |
| 1995 | 3 | 1% |
| 1994 | 3 | 9% |
| 1993 | 2 | 6% |
| 1992 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
28 complaintsEngine cooling
21 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsSuspension
12 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsTires
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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