Skip to content
Transmission and drivetrainPart report

1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
25about this part
Share
21%of 120 total for the year
Median mileage
76,750miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 21% of the 120 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,750 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My 99 Eclipse has now 84,000 miles. On november 8 2002 my automatic transmission lost third gear, I had it replaced and now the second transmission went out. The first transmission had the input and output speed sensors replaced twice along with the ignition box. The transmission I have now the dealer states, the code reads faulty over-drive solenoid but my technician believes it is internal. I have had all the maintenance completed in compliance with the owners manual and still have problems with my vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #10000572, filed 2003-01, 83,500 miles

“1st incident: april 2002: 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse gs locks up (transmission) constantly jumps and the speedometer will shut off. This problem was checked by official mechanics of Mitsubishi and suposedly corrected by them as well. Today: march 12, 2005: on my home, the car locks up, jumps, but completely shuts off, luckily I was only a block away from my home when this happened. After several attempts I did start the car again but the spedometer is not responding and when shifting from neutral to drive or reverse the car jumps. Same problem all over again. …”

NHTSA complaint #10113982, filed 2005-03, 70,000 miles

“Manual transmission failure. Stick shift would pop out of 5th gear on occassion and then started to pop out of gear in 4th then complete transmission failure. Car has less than 43000 miles on it. I've heard of several other people with this same problem. Also drivers side door handle fell off, again heard several other people with same problem. Obviously a defect.”

NHTSA complaint #10029320, filed 2003-07, 42,500 miles

“Dt: consumer states he had to replace the transfer case on his 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The tail shaft seal leaked, there was a recall for different model years NHTSA 98v069000. When the consumer took the transfer case down, there was a bunch of shavings and no fluid left. The transfer case locked up and that is why he took that down. When he took the vehicle to the dealership, they told him it was not covered under that recall. The consumer was driving in his neighborhood when the vehicle locked up.”

NHTSA complaint #10128152, filed 2005-07, 106,000 miles

“The contact owns a 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse. While driving 45 MPH, the steering wheel detached from the steering column. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over and towed to an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the passenger side control arm, axle, and transmission needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 206,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11184936, filed 2019-03, 206,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200912%
200823%
200722%
200666%
20032016%
200245%
2001199%
2000176%
19992521%
19982822%
19972216%
19961610%
19954816%
19941029%
19931336%
19922143%
19911935%
19902554%

Other parts of the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Body and structure
24 complaints
Engine cooling
18 complaints
Steering
13 complaints
Suspension
12 complaints
Brakes
10 complaints
Electrical system
8 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
7 complaints
Equipment
6 complaints
Wheels
6 complaints
Air bags
3 complaints
Other or unknown
3 complaints
Seats
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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