Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline — runs 2.2× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
136Complaints
12Recalls
22Crashes
6Fires
16Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline (12.5% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline complaints here are 2.2× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
17 · 12.5%
No official action
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
15 · 11%
No official action
—
Air Bags:frontal
12 · 8.8%
No official action
—
Power Train:automatic Transmission
6 · 4.4%
Recalled
Recall 98V069001
Structure:body:roof And Pillars
6 · 4.4%
No official action
—
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
6 · 4.4%
Recalled
Recall 00V421001
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE17 · 12.5%
Percentages are the share of the 136 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“ENGINE FAILS. HAPPENS EVERY 3 OR 4 MONTHS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND ENGINE QUITS. WAIT 3 OR 4 MINUTES AND CAR…”NHTSA complaint 768266 — filed 10/09/2002 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
“DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER VEHICLE. DRIVER STOPPED VEHICLE/ PUT VEHICLE IN PARK/ LOOKED UNDER CAR AND SAW OIL WAS LEAKING. WHEN PRESSING GAS…”NHTSA complaint 8003685 — filed 02/06/2002 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
“THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TWO ENGINE FAILURES WITHIN SIX MONTHS. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE THRUST BEARING WHICH HOLDS THE CAMSHAFT…”NHTSA complaint 564116 — filed 01/18/2002 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline issues are the most-reported category, cited in 17 of 136 NHTSA complaints (12.5%), followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (15), air bags:frontal (12), power train:automatic transmission (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse have?
136 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 22 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, and 16 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse have any recalls?
Yes — 12 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 00V421001. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse's reported problems?
2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
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