1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse: 4 recalls, 159 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 7 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #96V158001 · 1996 · 5,731 vehicles
What's wrong: The fuel tank gaskets for the fuel pump and/or gauge unit gasket could have been incorrectly installed allowing fuel or fumes to escape.
Why it matters: If an ignition source were present, the fuel leakage could result in a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and if the gaskets are found to be leaking, replace the fuel tank, caps and gaskets.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #98V069001 · 1998 · 24,275 vehicles
What's wrong: Lockup of the transfer case can occur due to insufficient lubrication.
Why it matters: This condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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…
Suspension Vehicle recall #99V066001 · 1999 · 307,000 vehicles
What's wrong: If the rubber boots on the lower lateral arm ball joints of the front suspension were damaged during assembly, dirt and water can intrude.
Why it matters: This condition could cause the lower lateral arm ball joint to separate, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rubber boots, and if the boot is damaged, they will replace the lower lateral arm and ball joint on the affected vehicles.
Suspension Vehicle recall #00V421001 · 2000 · 567,432 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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 joints that are within the established tolerance will be cleaned and a special sealant will be applied to…
7 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E023000 · 2006 · 292,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Anzo will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E026000 · 2006 · 61,944 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E049000 · 2006 · 27,176 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the 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.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E060000 · 2006 · 87,745 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 associated equipment."
Why it matters: Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and May possibly result in a vehicle crash
The fix: Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2006.
Fuel system Equipment recall #07E055000 · 2007 · 222 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain airtex fuel pump module assemblies, p/n e7081h, sold for use as replacement equipment for the vehicles listed above. The wall of the flared fitting of the fuel pump is not thick enough to prevent the mating threaded fittings from bottoming out before an adequate seal is achieved. This condition May result in leakage of fuel at the connection of the vehicle fuel line and the fuel pump module assembly.
Why it matters: In the presence of an ignition source, a fuel leak could result in a fire.
The fix: Airtex will notify owners and replace the fuel pumps free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2007. Owners can contact airtex automotive at 800-880-3056.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 5 mention a fire, 10 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Suspension (27): the most common themes are noise or vibration (9).
- Engine & cooling (26): the most common themes are leaks (9), stalls / loses power (6), fire / smoke (5).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (24): the most common themes are noise or vibration (6), brake failure / soft pedal (5), warning light on (2).
- Airbags (17): the most common themes are fails to deploy (10).
The 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse has 159 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 23 Eclipse model years for complaints (1.7× the average Eclipse year). Complaints peaked in 1997 (23 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 89,200 miles. Neighboring years: 1995 (307 complaints, 5 recalls), 1997 (136 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 29 | 23 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 21 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse, plus 7 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems?
Owners have filed 159 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are suspension (27), engine & cooling (26), brakes (hydraulic) (24).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse get?
EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.