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1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems

The most common problem on the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse is transmission and drivetrain, typically around 80,000 miles. It has 1.8 times the complaints of a typical Eclipse model year.

Typical year1.8x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
129
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
68
Worst area
Transmission
Fuel economy
19-23mpg

The worst 1998 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 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Door locks 11Ball joint 9No deployment 7Fire or smoke 5

Recalls 4

Equipment: other: labelsReported September 1, 2004 · 100,432 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, 'occupant crash protection.' the bilingual english/spanish removable air bag warning labels affixed to the dash and to the sunvisor do not meet the size requirements of the standard.
Risk
This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
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. In addition, all current 2000-2004 nativa owners will also receive replacement air bag alert labels for the sun visors. This recall is expected to begin during march or april 2005. The notification to the nativa owners is expected to begin during april or may 2005. Owners should contact mitsubishi caribbean at 1‑787‑251‑8715.

Recall number 04V428000 · Recall details

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

Vehicle speed controlReported March 3, 1998 · 20,974 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The dash panel pad can shift interferring with the throttle cable control.
Risk
The throttle cable control would not return to idle increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will remove a portion of the dash panel pad so it cannot interfere with the throttle cable control.

Recall number 98V045001 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 1998 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 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse 68

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

See all 68 bulletins for the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse

1998 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‑cylFWD18-2024-3020-23
2.3L 4‑cylFWD18-1926-2721-22
2.0L 4‑cyl4WD17-1923-2619-21

What 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 26, 2016 · Suspension · 200,000 miles · WA · crash

"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. Last time it broke I was going about 40 MPH, it was very scary. The picture I sent was taken on 7/28/2014. Though the last time it broke was on 6/20/2015.

Filed Feb 26, 2016 · Suspension · 200,000 miles · WA · crash

"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. Last time it broke I was going about 40mph, it was very scary. The picture I sent was taken on 7/28/14. The last time it happened was on 6/20/15 and I have had it replaced since.

Filed Dec 9, 2015 · Electrical · FL

Battery discharges overnight and electroautos cannot find any electrical leakage but they suspect the starter system device (an oblong device that needs to be presented to a red light to get the starter to function). The battery has been changed several times but leakage continues. Due to age, no sensors are currently available to check it. Vehicle is stationary in garage.

Filed Oct 29, 2014 · Airbags · 109,000 miles · FL

Recently, relocated to florida with in 18 months I notice my passenger side air bag is protruding out from the heat and humidity in sw florida. Originally had car in new york and never had this problem. I am very concerned about it exploding while I am driving. Notice on recent recall concerning air bags didn't include my make and model. This 1998 mitsubishi eclipse gst is making a true statement on the above air bag issue and all statements are true. Please be advised that the above make and model identify same issues with air bag being exposed to high heat climates in southwest florida. Please look into this matter I believe this make and model should be on the recall list, thank you.

Filed Apr 6, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · OH · fire

1998 mitsubishi eclipse, unit 1 was traveling east on the ohio turnpike near the 54 milepost. Unit 1 filled with smoke. Unit 1 pulled to the right shoulder and stopped. The driver of unit 1 exited and opened the hood and observed fire. The driver of unit 1 was charged with ovi. Bf (ohio traffic crash report # 10-0046-89)*jb updated 04/22/11

Filed Sep 8, 2010 · Tires · 103,000 miles · IN

On 9/6/2010 I got in my car and pulled out of my parking space. My car had been sitting all that day and the previous day. As I pulled out, heard a flop, flop noise, stopped my car, got out and looked around. The front right tire, a uniroyal long touring a/s, had completely blown out (not just gone flat). I replaced the tire with my spare. I looked over the blown tire and found a tear approx. 1-2 inches long on the inside of the tire, just below the tread. My father contacted the tire manufacturer, because my sister had the same model tire and had the same problem weeks earlier. My father was told we could get reimbursed for new tires if they were inspected by the dealer and found to be defective. Today, 9/8/2010, I took my car to a tire dealership and got the one tire replaced. The blown tire was found to be defective. An individual from that dealership contacted the manufacturer & was told to fill out a claim form so I could be reimbursed 60% of the new tire cost. The dealer kept my blown tire. I contacted the manufacturer about getting all new tires, because the others were found to be defective with cracks beginning. They said the tire I just paid for could not be covered because it was not an accepted brand, but four new tires that were of an accepted brand could be covered up to 60%. The tires have all been said to be defective by the dealership, however the manufacturer refuses to cover the full cost of replacement tires.

Filed Aug 3, 2010 · Body, Locks · 44,000 miles · SC

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. I might be a strong guy, I guess, but my girlfriend was 5'1" and about 90 lbs.. The kind of girl who had trouble tearing notebook paper. Well, while waiting for the dealership to order a replacement handle, my brother was getting into the driver's side of my car to install a new stereo and the driver's side handle snaps off in his hand. I had to leave a window down for a week inorder to get in and out of the vehicle. I have since stopped ordering from the dealership as a fiberglass door handle was available online for $35.00 and came black in color. To date, as of 2010, I have had to replace the driver's door handle 6 times and the passenger side twice. After speaking wit quite a few mitsubishi enthusiasts, I have discovered that this is a problem mitsubishi knows about, always knew about, and has simply refused to fix, even as far as not making replacement door handles out of stronger material. I will never buy a mitsubishi again based on this simple design flaw which the company deems is beneath them to make right.

Filed Oct 17, 2007 · Steering, Suspension · 137,077 miles · IL

Rattling/clacking when driving slowing on rough road. Found right front lower lateral arm has a lot of play and also inner and outer tire rod ends have a lot of play. The front lower lateral arm to suspension and everything dropped prior getting to dealership to inspect and fix it. More damages incurred for broken suspension, tie rods and lateral arm.

Filed Sep 23, 2007 · Engine · 50,000 miles · VA

Around 50,000 miles about 2001 my service engine light would come on and go off. I call dealership and because I couldn't be seen no earlier than 2 weeks ahead of time I was unable to get a convenient appt. I didn't get the vehicle in the shop until much later. When the light started staying on steady around 81,000 I took it in. I took the vehicle to my local mitsubishi dealership and they charged me over $200 to tell me my computer was no good and a new one would cost $1100 and my warranty on the computer went out at 80,000. I let some time go by and purchased a computer from the junkyard. I then found a place that rebuilt computers. I sent my original computer away. I later got a phone call with the place telling me that my computer had been recalled so I called mitsubishi. They told me there had not been a recall so I called the place back. The guy explained that my computer had the same issue as many others like mine had and that mitsuibishi did not recall them but stop making that type of computer. He did tell me they made a new one and if I could find out what they went over to he could find me one. When I called mits back and explained they told me that the dealership could have over ridden the 81,00 miles since it was so close to the 80,000 and if I went back there I could see if they would do it. Well I called back and spoke to the service manager. He wanted me to do another diagnostic test which I am trying to explain that would not benefit me. I would be paying another $200 plus dollars to be told the same thing that they had already told me or told something different which means I have wasted my first $200 plus dollars. I gave up and have been replacing everything on the car to get it fixed. I have no choice but to use the junkyard computer cause my original one had blown up and it has been an issue every since. My service engine soon light stays on now and it is missing badly. I have changed the oxygen sensors 3 times.

Filed Mar 20, 2007 · Suspension · CO

1998 mitsubishi eclipse turbo customer states that less than four months after purchasing the car, it broke down in the parking lot. The front drivers side tire came off crashing to the ground**cc the consumer discovered the vehicle was apart of a recall, however she was told by customer service that the vehicle had already been repaired under the recall. The consumer was also told that because she didn't take the vehicle to a mitsubishi dealer they were not liable for reimbursement.

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Questions about the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Is the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse reliable?

Owners have filed 129 complaints about the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 1.8 times a typical Eclipse model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 29 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles. Next is engine (21).

How many recalls does the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse have?

4 recalls, covering equipment, suspension and power train.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse transmission?

Yes, 1 recall: 98V069001. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Mitsubishi Eclipse have bad transmission?

The Mitsubishi Eclipse model years with the most transmission complaints are 1995 (48 complaints), 1998 (29 complaints) and 1990 (25 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse get?

Official estimates for the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse range from 19 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18-20 city and 24-30 highway.

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