Model year record

1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse recalls & problems

The 1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse has 4 safety recalls and 34 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (12 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints34filed by owners

Crashes · fires5 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingMay 11, 2009

Headlights

Recall 09E02500042,540 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E02600061,944 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: 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.

Power trainMar 26, 1998

Automatic transmission

Recall 98V06900124,275 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Eclipse

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Eclipse

23mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Eclipse

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Eclipse

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Eclipse

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

Eclipse

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

Eclipse

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

Eclipse

18mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift	12	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition; Wiring › Front underhood	5	2	2	2	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	5	0	0	0	—
SuspensionFront; Front › Control arm	5	3	0	3	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	5	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsRear/other; Front › Retractor	4	1	0	1	—
VisibilityWindshield; Power window devices and controls	3	0	0	0	—
Latches/locks/linkagesTailgate › Latch; Hood › Latch	3	1	0	3	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner	3	0	0	0	—
SteeringLinkages › Tie rod assembly	2	1	0	0	—
Exterior lightingHeadlights › Switch	1	0	0	0	—
WheelsRim	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Latches/locks/linkages › Hatchback/liftgate › LockCrash3 injuries
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. POINT SIERRA BLANCA, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIEROD BREAKS CAUSING A MAJOR 1 CAR ROLLOVER INJURING 3 PEOPLE (1 W/MINOR INJURIES, 1 SERIOUS INJURIES, 1 CRITICAL INJURY). 1994 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GS TOTALED. 2 OF INJURED REQUIRING CONTINUED MEDICAL CARE. HATCHBACK CAME UP, SHATTERED GLASS IN HATCH AND SIDE PANELS. *TR
Apr 20, 2007 · 15,500 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
VEHICLE LOST ALL BRAKING POWE R WHILE ATTEMPTING A GRADUAL STOP ON DRY ROAD CONDITIONS. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Aug 1, 2001
Vehicle speed control › Linkages
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Aug 1, 2001
Seat belts
DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC RESTRAINT BELT IS INOPERABLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK *SLC
Apr 1, 2000
Power train › Automatic transmission
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 83,000 UNDER NORMAL USE. THIS CAR WAS NOT IN THE RECALL BUT I BELIEVE IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.*AK
Mar 27, 2001
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
AFTER PURCHASED THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE BURNED 1/2 QUART OF OIL PER 1000 MILES, NOW THE VEHICLE BURNS MORE THAN 1/2 QUART PER 1000 MILES AND THE CONSUMER IS NOW ADDING 1 QUART OF OIL ALMOST EVERY WEEK, THE DEALER REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. NLM
Mar 5, 2001
Power train › Automatic transmission
I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR AND DROVE IT ABOUT A WEEK AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON ME NOW I'M STUCK WITH A LEMON AND NO ONE WANT'S TO FIX IT. TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOMEONE LIKE THIS SHOULD NEVER CROSS ANYONE'S MIND. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME IN THIS MATTER THANK YOU, DALE LYNNE HARTSHORNE
Apr 25, 2000
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
TRANSFER CASE YOKE IS LEAKING FLUID. CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *AK
Sep 2, 2000

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

TRANSFER CASE LEAKAGEClosedLed to recall 98V168001
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 · opened May 11, 1998 · closed Aug 28, 1998
TRANSFER CASE LOCKUPClosedLed to recall 98V069001
EA98002 · opened Jan 30, 1998 · closed Apr 30, 1998
TRANSFER CASE LOCKUPClosed
ALLEGED DRIVETRAIN FAILURE THAT CAN LEAD TO LOCK-UP OF THE REAR OR ALL WHEELS.
PE97040 · opened Sep 4, 1997 · closed Jan 30, 1998