1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 9%of 129 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 44,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the body and structure of the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 9% of the 129 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,000 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“There appears to be a manufacturers defect in the body of all Mitsubishi eclipses that have the same body style of 1998. There is a piece on the underside on the driver's side that catches on parking space markers and causes the whole front piece of the car to either tear, hang, or in some cases fall off.”
NHTSA complaint #10019287, filed 2003-05“Consumer is concerned at this point every times it rains convertible roof leaks. Interior seats are detroyed. She went to the dealership, and mechanic told her that the roof will leak as long as she has the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #870196, filed 2000-09Related service bulletins
- 10170852Jan 29, 2013This Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section of the applicable service manuals.
- 10170097Jan 15, 2013This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | 13% |
| 2009 | 6 | 14% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 5 | 5% |
| 2006 | 5 | 5% |
| 2005 | 1 | 17% |
| 2004 | 5 | 36% |
| 2003 | 31 | 25% |
| 2002 | 15 | 21% |
| 2001 | 21 | 10% |
| 2000 | 41 | 13% |
| 1999 | 24 | 20% |
| 1998 | 11 | 9% |
| 1997 | 10 | 7% |
| 1996 | 11 | 7% |
| 1995 | 12 | 4% |
| 1994 | 1 | 3% |
| 1993 | 4 | 11% |
| 1992 | 2 | 4% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
28 complaintsEngine cooling
21 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsSuspension
12 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
8 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 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