1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse

▲ Better than typical
1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:41:14.716Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Complaints
35
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1994

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

31% of complaints

Complaints per year

1989: 2 complaints 1989 1990: 47 complaints 1991: 55 complaints 1992: 49 complaints 1993: 37 complaints 1994: 35 complaints 1994 35 1995: 307 complaints 1996: 159 complaints 1997: 136 complaints 1998: 129 complaints 1998 1999: 120 complaints 2000: 308 complaints 2001: 209 complaints 2001 2002: 73 complaints 2003: 124 complaints 2004: 14 complaints 2004 2005: 6 complaints 2006: 99 complaints 2007: 107 complaints 2007 2008: 71 complaints 2009: 42 complaints 2010: 1 complaint 2010 2011: 1 complaint 2012: 8 complaints
1989: 2 complaints 1989 1990: 47 complaints 1991: 55 complaints 1991 1992: 49 complaints 1993: 37 complaints 1994: 35 complaints 1994 35 1995: 307 complaints 1996: 159 complaints 1997: 136 complaints 1997 1998: 129 complaints 1999: 120 complaints 1999 2000: 308 complaints 2001: 209 complaints 2001 2002: 73 complaints 2003: 124 complaints 2003 2004: 14 complaints 2005: 6 complaints 2005 2006: 99 complaints 2007: 107 complaints 2007 2008: 71 complaints 2009: 42 complaints 2009 2010: 1 complaint 2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 8 complaints
1989: 2 complaints 1989 1990: 47 complaints 1990 1991: 55 complaints 1991 1992: 49 complaints 1992 1993: 37 complaints 1993 1994: 35 complaints 1994 35 1995: 307 complaints 1995 1996: 159 complaints 1996 1997: 136 complaints 1997 1998: 129 complaints 1998 1999: 120 complaints 1999 2000: 308 complaints 2000 2001: 209 complaints 2001 2002: 73 complaints 2002 2003: 124 complaints 2003 2004: 14 complaints 2004 2005: 6 complaints 2005 2006: 99 complaints 2006 2007: 107 complaints 2007 2008: 71 complaints 2008 2009: 42 complaints 2009 2010: 1 complaint 2010 2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 8 complaints 2012

1994: 35 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19860
19870
19880
19892
199047
199155
199249
199337
199435
1995307
1996159
1997136
1998129
1999120
2000308
2001209
200273
2003124
200414
20056
200699
2007107
200871
200942
20101
20111
20128

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

31% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and column shift.

Service brakes

14% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

Engine and engine cooling

14% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

Suspension

11% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing front and control arm.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Day time appx. 60-80 mi. From el paso, tx , lic. Driver driving appx. 70 mi. P/hr (80 mi. Day is speed limit) just before chk.

NHTSA ODI report, 2007-04-26

Also filed under Latches/locks/linkages

Driving the vehicle at speed of 40MPH, vehicle going to the right and swirled right rear wheels locked and flipped and rear axle broke,

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-02-28

Equipment

11% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing air conditioner.

Show complaint excerpts

Noisy air conditioner.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-12-12

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1997-09-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 1998-01-30 Transfer case lockup
  2. I
    1998-01-30Engineering analysisClosed 1998-04-30 Transfer case lockup
  3. R
    1998-04-20Power train98V069001 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Lockup of the transfer case can occur due to insufficient lubrication.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles for adequacy of the transfer case oil volume, transfer case oil leakage, and operational degradation of the transfer case mechanism. If oil volume is insufficient…

  4. I
    1998-05-11Recall queryClosed 1998-08-28 Transfer case leakage
  5. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…

    Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

  6. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

  7. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

Buy-smart checklist

1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 11 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 5 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 5 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 98V069001 · Power train
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 31% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.