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Model Year Problem Record

Mitsubishi Eclipse 1997 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

136Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
3Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
1Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
37Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine44 complaints

44 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train24 complaints

24 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 98V069001.

Suspension19 complaints

19 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 00V421001.

Air Bags14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats2 complaints

2 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 97V081001.

Seat Belts2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

00V421001Reported December 18, 2000 - 567,432 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on December 18, 2000. The campaign covers an estimated 567,432 vehicles across all affected models.

97V081001Reported May 12, 1997 - 119 vehicles potentially affected

Seats. Recall covering the seats system, reported to NHTSA on May 12, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 119 vehicles across all affected models.

98V069001Reported March 26, 1998 - 24,275 vehicles potentially affected

Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on March 26, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 24,275 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

RQ98007Opened May 11, 1998 - Closed August 28, 1998

TRANSFER CASE LEAKAGE. Resulted in recall campaign 98V168001.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

19961
199716
199819
199913
200019
200119
200217
20035
200412
20054
20062
20073
20082
20101
20162
20171
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.