Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Constant pulsating of brakes when applying them. Took car to the dealership the 1st time and had the rotors replaced. Mitsubishi paid for 1/2 of the cost and I paid the rest. This was in 1998. The first time that I have the rotors replaced, the vibrating of the brake pedal came back within 2 weeks. Since then, I have replaced and/or turned down my rotors on my front wheels over 7 times. I do not ride my brakes either. I've had my rotors replaced by numerous garages. The rotors improved twice due to the recall of ball joints. When I had my car in the dealership for this recall and I drove the car home, the brake pedal did not pulsate for about 3 to 4 weeks after the recall was made good. I have spent so much money on having the rotors replaced. It's gotten to the point where I cannot keep spending hundreds of dollars on rotors. I just deal with the vibrating brakes at this times.
Consumer was sitting at a red light, foot depressed on the brake pedal vehicle jumped forward, hitting the leading car, foot was still on the brake pedal, vehicle continued to move forward, consumer, therefore, engaged the emergency parking brake to stop the vehicle. Consumer has contacted the dealer.
Consumer hit truck head-on at approximately 30 MPH. Defect in driver and passenger airbags caused the air bags not to deploy. No warning was given that airbags were defective. Also vehicle has 2 brake systems, including backup panic brake system which was inoperative, causing the accident.
Vehicle will begin to shake/stutter when brakes are applied. Will stop and let go when applying brakes. Dealer replaced rotors 3 times, both front brake pads. Cannot explain problem. Consumer states at times when applying brakes, they will skip, causing vehicle to stop and then go and then stop again, brake light switch was out of adjustment, causing the rear brake light to remain illuminated. Signal lights would not work in cold weather, dealer ordered flasher assembly. Seats would not work, there was material blocking the latch from locking.
Rotors and brakes have been a problem since I bought this car new. Rotors have to be resurfaced every 6 months, and new brakes. There has been no charge except for brakes. Now dealership tells me I have to pay for new brakes and rotors for this chronic problem. Mitsubishi motors admits that this is an engineering problem, but there is nothing they can do. Dealership says to put the blame on Mitsubishi motors. I am scared to drive this car due to brakes possibly failing. Thank you.
I purchased my Mitsubishi Eclipse 2 years ago. I have replaced the pads and rotors on my car a total of 3 times. I returned to the dealership again this month only to find out that I again need to replace my rotors. I have complained to the service manager at my local dealership. They more or less told me that the brakes were an engineering flaw. I have contacted the Mitsubishi corporate office in california. At this time they are unwilling to assist me with this problem.
I have had to replace brakes 4x's. They should be recalled. Issued complaint. Dealer unhelpful. Breaks squeal loudly even after being fixed. Should be able to retrieve number of times taken to dealer in their system. Dangerous. Now car shakes when stepping on breaks. Never has complete fix to this problem. Husband has had to complain to them as well about the danger of having his wife drive unsafely. Still no fix or proper resolution.
While driving vehicle about 35 MPH the comsumer had a brake problem. When stepping on brake pedal, trying to stop the vehicle, it took long time to st0p, and when stopping the brakes grabbed on the disc. Also front brakes ulsated/replaced front brake rotors. In addition, replaced rear main seal and oil seal and retorqued all mounting nuts and bolts due to front suspension noise.
When traveling at higher speeds and braking the brakes and /or rotors shudders /shake real bad to the point of throwing off stering capability in vehicle and shakes more so going down hill , I have already had them replaced (brakes and rotors) and it did not help any I still have the same problem .
While driving vehicle about 40 to 45 MPH the comsumer heard a grinding noise like metal to metal. Brakes were gone as comsumer tried to step on the brake pedal, and weren't any. Comsumer took vehicle back to dealer and was fixed without charge. Manufacture was not contacted.
Brake complaints in other Eclipse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 16% of the model year's 159 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 19,000 miles, and 100% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.