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 170 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 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 | 42 | 25% |
| Air bags | 17 | 10% |
| Power train | 17 | 10% |
| Structure | 16 | 9% |
| Suspension | 12 | 7% |
| Tires | 8 | 5% |
| Wheels | 8 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 4% |
| Visibility | 5 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The airbag cover on the passenger side is peeling off. I feel that if I tried to glue it or modify it in any way, this action could result in the airbag not deploying like it should and cause serious injury incase of an
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
THIS VEHICLE HAS A RECALL FOR THE LOWER BALL JOINT. AFTER CALLING TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO FIX THIS ISSUE THE VEHICLE SHOWS UP AS ALREADY SERVICED, WHICH MAY HAVE ONLY BEEN AS LITTLE AS AN INSPECTION THAT WAS DONE. TH
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL ALERT FROM THE DEALER. RIGHT NOW THE DEALER WAS SOLD TO A NEW OWNER. I WENT TO THE DEALER TO BUY A FENDER AND MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT APPEAR IN THE MITSUBISHI COMPUTER SYSTEM HERE IN PUERTO RICO
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL IN 2010, B
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
MY CAR IS A 1997 ECLIPSE SPYDER AUTOMATIC TRANNY 2.4L . THERE WAS ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION IT WAS ON LEAN MODE, LOCKED ON 2ND GEAR AND IT COULD ONLY GO UP TO 40 MILES PER HR OTHER WISE THE RPM WERE VERY HIGH... *TR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TIRE TREAD SEPARATION ON PASSENGER CAR TIRES. BRAND = KUMHO LINE = ECSTA ASX SIZE = 225/40/R18 DOT # = YOMX YC2F WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, MY SON NOTICED RUBBER CHUNKS FLYING FR
NHTSA complaint: Tires
SON DRIVING A ECLIPSE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE GOING 55 MPH AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER CAME OUT RESULTING IN THE DEATH OF ONLY CHILD. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN 1997, THE VEHICLE'S SPEED HAS NOT EXCEEDED 35MPH. ON THREE OCCASIONS, A MECHANIC ADJUSTED THE TRANSMISSION TIMING; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINU
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 1997 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 HEADREST GUIDE BRACKET WAS IMPROPERLY WELDED TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK ASSEMBLIES ONLY.
Risk: THE HEADREST SUPPORT BRACKET CAN BREAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY.
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIA
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH
Fix: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
| Reliability raw | 78 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 81 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 55 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 41 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 170 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 42 of them (25%). There are 12 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 78/100 (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 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1997 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.