Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 392 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse, and it carries 12 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 53 | 14% |
| Power train | 50 | 13% |
| Suspension | 45 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 44 | 11% |
| Service brakes | 41 | 10% |
| Air bags | 32 | 8% |
| Fuel system | 21 | 5% |
| Exterior lighting | 12 | 3% |
| Structure | 11 | 3% |
| Visibility | 10 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I WAS GETTING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE OUT OF NO WHERE, LUCKILY I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ON RAMP AND NOT IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC YET. MY VEHICLE PULLED TOWARD THE DRIVE SIDE, I QUICKLY PULLED E-BRAKE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN OR DRIVING OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A SQUEALING AND POPPING NOISE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TRANSFER CASE SUDDENLY LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE HAD LEAKED WHIC
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE TRANSFER CASE LEAKS AND WHEN IS PLACED INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLU
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE TRANSFER CASE FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V069001 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION)
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. HE ALSO HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
1995 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. BOTH OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN OFF JUST FROM EVERYDAY USE. DRIVERS SIDE WHEN THE CAR WAS THREE YEARS OLD. THE PASSENGER SIDE IN NOVEMBER OF 2007. IF THEY DECIDE TO BREAK AT THE SAME TIME Y
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE HAS MANUAL TRANSMISSION, BUT RECALL # 98V069001 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) APPLIES ONLY TO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. HE STATED
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Fix: 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 JOIN
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, T
THE HEADLAMP SUPPORT PANEL CAN DEVELOP A FATIGUE CRACK WHERE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) HYDRAULIC UNIT IS ATTACHED, ALLOWING THE HYDRAULIC UNIT TO FALL DOWN.
Risk: LOSS OF BRAKING CAN RESULT IF THE ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT FALLS. THIS CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL CONNECT THE ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT ATTACHMENT POINT AT A RIGID PORTION OF THE HEADLAMP SUPPORT PANEL WITH A BRACKET AND REINFORCE THE HEADLAMP SUPPORT PANEL BY ADDING A BACK PLATE.
THE FUEL TANK GASKETS FOR THE FUEL PUMP AND/OR GAUGE UNIT GASKET COULD HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED ALLOWING FUEL OR FUMES TO ESCAPE.
Risk: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THE FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND IF THE GASKETS ARE FOUND TO BE LEAKING, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, CAPS AND GASKETS.
| Reliability raw | 76 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 71 | good |
| Maintenance | 81 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 55 | average |
| Performance | 62 | average |
| Efficiency | 37 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 392 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 53 of them (14%). There are 12 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 71/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.