MYRModel Year Report

1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse

◆ Worse than typical
1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:40:03.059Z

This year had 30% to 100% more 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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
129
Recalls
13

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

22% of complaints

Complaints per year

1989: 2 complaints 1989 1990: 47 complaints 1991: 55 complaints 1992: 49 complaints 1992 1993: 37 complaints 1994: 35 complaints 1995: 307 complaints 1995 1996: 159 complaints 1997: 136 complaints 1998: 129 complaints 1998 129 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 1993 1994: 35 complaints 1995: 307 complaints 1995 1996: 159 complaints 1997: 136 complaints 1998: 129 complaints 1998 129 1999: 120 complaints 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 1995: 307 complaints 1995 1996: 159 complaints 1996 1997: 136 complaints 1997 1998: 129 complaints 1998 129 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

1998: 129 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

22% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and transfer case (4-wheel drive).

Engine and engine cooling

18% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE

Air bags

14% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 30 MPH, a vehicle pulled out in front of the contact causing the contact to hit this vehicle on the front driver's side from the wheel forward.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-08-15

After crashing in a Mitsubishi Eclipse the airbags were deployed and the passenger side airbag caught fire. To fix this problem the fire department had to pull apart the dash in order to remove the wires from the airbag.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-10-06

While driving at 30 MPH vehicle was involved in a head on collision. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-01-06

Suspension

10% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing lower ball joint and lower arm.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

"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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-02-26

"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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-02-26

Service brakes

9% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

Safety timeline

13 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1998Complaint volume 129 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1998-04-08Vehicle speed control98V045001 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The dash panel pad can shift interferring with the throttle cable control.

    Remedy: Dealers will remove a portion of the dash panel pad so it cannot interfere with the throttle cable control.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    1998-05-11Recall queryClosed 1998-08-28 Transfer case leakage
  5. R
    2001-04-02Suspension00V421001 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the rubber boots on the lower lateral arm ball joints of the front suspension were damaged during assembly, dirt and water can intrude. Also, mmc has…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the lower lateral arm ball joint for wear. Ball joints that exhibit wear beyond the established tolerance will be replaced with newly designed lateral arm ball joints. Ball…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2006-05-09Exterior lighting06E023000 Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to…

    Remedy: Anzo will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2006. Owners may contact anzo USA at 909-468-3688.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are…

    Remedy: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2006-07-10Exterior lighting06E044000 Certain j & a auto accessories combination headlamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side…

    Remedy: J & a auto accessories will notify owners and offer to repurchase the headlamps. The recall began on July 10, 2006. Owners may contact j & a auto accessories at 310-327-4981.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2006-08-01Exterior lighting06E060000 Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the…

    Remedy: Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2006. Owners may contact aai motorsports at 909-923-9188.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2007-11-19Fuel system, gasoline07E055000 Certain airtex fuel pump module assemblies, p/n E7081H, sold for use as replacement equipment for the vehicles listed above. The wall of the flared fitting of the fuel pump is not thick enough to…

    Remedy: Airtex will notify owners and replace the fuel pumps free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2007. Owners can contact airtex automotive at 800-880-3056.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    Date not on fileEquipment04V428000 Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no.

    Remedy: Mitsubishi caribbean will mail a customer notification letter containing a written description and a graphic of the bi-lingual dashboard air bag warning label.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    Date not on fileExterior lighting06E064000 Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles.

    Remedy: Tradesonic will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2006. Owners may contact tradesonic at 626-934-8884.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 29 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 23 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 18 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V428000 · Equipment
  • Recall 06E064000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 98V045001 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 98V069001 · Power train
  • Recall 00V421001 · Suspension
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E023000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E044000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E060000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07E055000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse have?
13 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.