NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls and 168 owner complaints for the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Most complaints involve suspension (27) and engine and engine cooling (25). The EPA rates it 19–24 mpg combined.
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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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 PREVENT THE MATING THREADED FITTINGS FROM BOTTOMING OUT BEFORE AN ADEQUATE SEAL IS ACHIEVED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION OF THE VEHICLE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Eclipse model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 168 |
| 1997 | 164 |
| 1998 | 151 |
| 1999 | 135 |
| 2000 | 311 |
| 2001 | 300 |
| 2002 | 104 |
| 2003 | 166 |
| 2004 | 14 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 99 |
| 2007 | 107 |
| 2008 | 71 |
| 2009 | 42 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 8 |
“10/26/01 L FRONT LWR CONTROL ARM BROKE, THE CAR BOUNCED DOWN THE ROAD WHEN SUSP CAME APART. GVILLE MITZ REPLACED THE PARTS AT THE COST OF THE MANF. THE VEHICLE HAD 104000 MI AT THAT TIME. ITEMS LISTED ON REPAIR INVOICE: ARM ASSY (FR SUSP), SHAFT ASSY (FR AXL), SHIELD KIT SPLASH, AIR DAM SIDE FR LH, END ASSY, TIE ROD, FENDER FR LH 12/8/07 SUSP BROKE AGAIN. WHILE DRIVING I THOUGHT THE DRV SIDE FRONT TIRE HAD POPPED. I LET OFF THE GAS/ TRIED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER. I WAS IN THE L LANE NEAR AN INTERSTATE ENTRANCE. WHEN I WAS NEAR THE BARRIER THE VEHICLE JUMPED LEFT. IT MADE CONTACT WITH THE CONCRETE WALL, I PULLED THE WHEEL BACK TOWARDS THE RIGHT. WHEN I DID THIS THE BROKEN LEFT FRONT SUSP/TIRE WENT BENEATH THE CAR. THE AUTO WAS CATAPULTED ONTO THE CONCRETE BARRIER ON IT'S NOSE. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY AIRBORNE AT THIS TIME (FOR APPX 150-200 FT) PART OF THE CAR HIT THE CONCRETE PILLAR OF THE UNDERPASS AND FLUNG MY CAR BACK TO THE GROUND. BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME DOWN. EVEN WITH MY RESTRAINT ON MY BODY SLID UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE CAR CATAPULTED ON THE CONCRETE LEDGE. WHEN THE DRIVERSIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED THE GOT THE LEFT SIDE OF MY HEAD…”
“(1) BOUGHT CAR USED, IT HAD A BAD REAR MAIN SEAL. (2) CAR PASSES GEORGIA EMISSION INSPECTION (3) REPLACE REAR MAIN SEAL (4) NOW VEHICLE BLOWS SMOKE WHILE STANDING STILL IN TRAFFIC. (5) REPAIR OF LEAKING VALVE COVER GASKET (6) STILL SMOKING WHILE IN GEAR (7) INFORMED OF VALVE SEALS BEING BAD.. (8) NEVER BUY MISTUBISHI AGAIN. *JB”
“CONSTANT PULSATING OF BRAKES WHEN APPLYING THEM. TOOK CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THE 1ST TIME AND HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED. MITSUBISHI PAID FOR 1/2 OF THE COST AND I PAID THE REST. THIS WAS IN 1998. THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAVE THE ROTORS REPLACED, THE VIBRATING OF THE BRAKE PEDAL CAME BACK WITHIN 2 WEEKS. SINCE THEN, I HAVE REPLACED AND/OR TURNED DOWN MY ROTORS ON MY FRONT WHEELS OVER 7 TIMES. I DO NOT RIDE MY BRAKES EITHER. I'VE HAD MY ROTORS REPLACED BY NUMEROUS GARAGES. THE ROTORS IMPROVED TWICE DUE TO THE RECALL OF BALL JOINTS. WHEN I HAD MY CAR IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS RECALL AND I DROVE THE CAR HOME, THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT PULSATE FOR ABOUT 3 TO 4 WEEKS AFTER THE RECALL WAS MADE GOOD. I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY ON HAVING THE ROTORS REPLACED. IT'S GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE I CANNOT KEEP SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON ROTORS. I JUST DEAL WITH THE VIBRATING BRAKES AT THIS TIMES. *AK”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eclipse Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, DOHC TURBO (FFS,TRBO) · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | $3,300 | 370 |
| Eclipse Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, DOHC (FFS) · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 29 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| Eclipse Convertible Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | $3,450 | 386 |
| Eclipse Convertible Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Eclipse Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, DOHC (FFS) · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Eclipse Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, DOHC TURBO (FFS,TRBO) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,800 | 423 |
| Eclipse Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, DOHC TURBO (FFS,TRBO) · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | $4,000 | 444 |
| Eclipse Convertible Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | $4,000 | 444 |
| Eclipse Convertible Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| Eclipse Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, DOHC TURBO (FFS,TRBO) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | $4,200 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
11 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 168 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (27), engine and engine cooling (25), service brakes, hydraulic (24). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 19–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (10 versions rated).