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1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems

The most common problem on the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse is engine and cooling, typically around 97,000 miles. It has 1.9 times the complaints of a typical Eclipse model year.

Typical year1.9x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
136
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
81
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
19-24mpg

The worst 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Ball joint 10Fire or smoke 7No deployment 6Engine failure 6Stalling 5

Recalls 3

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball jointReported December 18, 2000 · 567,432 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 added the potential of leaking moisture, which can cause the ball stud to corrode.
Risk
This condition could cause the lower lateral arm ball joint to separate, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. This campaign supercedes mmc's previous safety recall campaign, see 99v‑066.
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 joints that are within the established tolerance will be cleaned and a special sealant will be applied to prevent intrusion of moisture.

Recall number 00V421001 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported March 26, 1998 · 24,275 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Lockup of the transfer case can occur due to insufficient lubrication.
Risk
This condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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, the appropriate amount of oil will be added. If there is transfer case oil leakage, affected components will be replaced. If the transfer case shows operational degradation, the transfer case will be replaced.

Recall number 98V069001 · Recall details

Seats: front assembly: head restraintReported May 12, 1997 · 119 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The headrest guide bracket was improperly welded to the seat back frame on the passenger side seat back assemblies only.
Risk
The headrest support bracket can break, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the passenger seat back assembly with a new assembly.

Recall number 97V081001 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Defect investigations

Transfer case leakageOpened May 11, 1998, closed August 28, 1998

The transfer case of the all wheel drive (awd), mitsubishi galant, allegedly leaks oil causing one or more wheels to lockup; or the inability to transmit engine power to the drive wheels.the vehicles have the same transfer case design as the eclipse vehicles which have been recalled for the same alleged defect.

RQ98007

Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse 81

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 81 bulletins for the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse

1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylFWD18-2124-3020-24
2.4L 4‑cylFWD18-1926-2720-22
2.0L 4‑cyl4WD17-1923-2619-21

What 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 3, 2017 · Suspension · 172,000 miles · IA

This vehicle has a recall for the lower ball joint. After calling to set up an appointment to fix this issue the vehicle shows up as already serviced, which may have only been as little as an inspection that was done. The ball joint in this vehicle is currently failing and is extremely noticeable while driving. I am in search of a record for who filed the service for this recall or a confirmation that this issue can be "fixed" once again under the same recall.

Filed Nov 28, 2016 · Suspension · 25 miles · PR

I never received a recall alert from the dealer. Right now the dealer was sold to a new owner. I went to the dealer to buy a fender and my VIN number does not appear in the mitsubishi computer system here in puerto rico either in USA. So I would like an advise. What I have to do. I have all the purchasing paper from the dealer and the bank. A long time ago I have problem with the arm ball joints but I paid for the repair in a mechanic workshop.

Filed Jan 26, 2016 · Suspension · 170,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 mitsubishi eclipse. While driving at any speed, the front end of the vehicle vibrated and veered to the right. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was repaired under a recall in 2010, but was not repaired again. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed Jan 21, 2010 · Airbags · MO · crash

Son driving a eclipse ran off the road and hit a tree going 55 MPH and the air bags never came out resulting in the death of only child.

Filed Dec 24, 2008 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns 1997 mitsubishi eclipse. Since purchasing the vehicle in 1997, the vehicle's speed has not exceeded 35mph. On three occasions, a mechanic adjusted the transmission timing; however, the failure continued to occur. The insurance company stated that it was best to crash the vehicle since the cost for a new transmission was equivalent to a new vehicle. The failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.

Filed Aug 20, 2008 · Lights · 151,475 miles · TN

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 mitsubishi eclipse. While making a right turn at 30 MPH, the turn signal became stuck. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the turn signal was still stuck. The dealer stated that a new turn signal switch needed to be purchased. The current and failure mileages were 151,475.

Filed Oct 25, 2007 · Seats · PA

Unable to find a suitable booster seat for my 5y/o son weighing 45lbs that will rest in the deep seated contours of the rear bucket seats for 1997 mitsubishi eclipse .

Filed Jun 20, 2007 · Steering, Suspension · 80,000 miles · MD · crash

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 mitsubishi eclipse. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle spun out of control and crashed into the curb. The road conditions were foggy and damp. The mechanic was unable to diagnose the cause of failure. Approximately three years later, the vehicle jerked to the right and the left. The mechanic stated that the lower control arm and rod ends needed to be replaced. There is a recall for the lower ball joint (recall # 00v421001). The powertrain was unknown. The current mileage is 130,000 and failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Mar 22, 2007 · Suspension · 115,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 mitsubishi eclipse gsx. The contact stated that the ball joints were detaching from the vehicle. This vehicle was included in recall # 00v421001 for suspension: lower ball joints. The vehicle contained the same ball joints from the last recall. The contact stated that the vehicle was operable, but at a high risk, and felt another recall was needed. The failure mileage was 115000.

Filed Jun 23, 2006 · Engine · 125,000 miles · RI

Squealing belts at startup, inconsistent small leaks of coolant, hesitation at 2k RPM were only pre-cursors. Out of nowhere, while driving on highway, I looked at gauges for no particular reason....noticed the temperature was rising, eventually going as far as it could above h. So I look for smoke in rear view....nothing. I turn down the radio to listen for noises......nothing. Everything seems fine. Hoping that air through the radiator would cool the engine......not working. I decided I better pull over.....the second I safely stopped, huge puffs of white smoke billowed out the hood edges. I jumped out, opened the hood......huge clouds of smoke and smell of burning rubber, I thought the car was on fire. Once the smoke settled, oil could be seen splattered all over the engine. Tow truck comes and while putting on flatbed.....oil drained out like a water faucet. Found out later from the dealer that oil line burst, causing the head gaskets to blow and most likely damaged totaled the engine. New engine quoted at $5000, used 71,000 mile engine in some salvage yard in alabama quoted at $2-3000. Nice chunk of money and the engine still needs to be shipped and installed. What a deal? I actually spoke highly about mitsubishi's in the past, but now I'm having second thoughts. Too bad mitsubishi company has such a bad history of failures, recalls, and poor repair service. I was actually thinking of buying a 2006 eclipse........not any more. I'll miss my 97 eclipse......it was pretty good to me, but this recent event with no warning, did me in and it is just wrong that I have read similar incidents on the internet and mitsubishi does nothing. Time for an american car...............too bad we don't have the sense to make oil and gas-free vehicles though.......the technology is there. Oh well......I guess I better start figuring out how I am going to get to work on monday.

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Questions about the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Is the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse reliable?

Owners have filed 136 complaints about the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 1.9 times a typical Eclipse model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse?

Engine and cooling, with 41 complaints, typically around 97,000 miles. Next is transmission (22).

How many recalls does the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse have?

3 recalls, covering suspension, power train and seats.

What year does the Mitsubishi Eclipse have bad engine?

The Mitsubishi Eclipse model years with the most engine complaints are 1995 (60 complaints), 1997 (41 complaints) and 1996 (26 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse get?

Official estimates for the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse range from 19 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18-21 city and 24-30 highway.

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