Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
Maintained regular oil changes and was notified that I had an oil leak in my engine. I saved enough money to have the head gasket replaced to fix the oil leak. The head gasket was replaced (new) in March of 2000. 4 months later my car started to smoke from the exhaust when standing still in traffic. I contacted the dealership about the problem because I thought that this was due to the work that they did. I was then informed that I need my value guides replaced. I was going to have this work done until I was informed that in order to replace the value guides in the engine, I must purchase another new head gasket. I asked why this was not inspected at the time that the head gasket was replaced. My answer was that I did not ask them to check the value guides. If this would of been corrected at this time, I would not be spending tons of money on oil for my vehicle. …
Car was idling at a very low RPM. I had the car serviced and was still idling very low. When coming to a stop, the car wanted to stall. Meaning the rpms dropped to zero and then the idle jumped extremely high for a few seconds. A few days later the car started to stall when stopping or going around turns at a very slow speed. I took the car to a dealership to have them hook the car up to a diagnostic machine. Nothing registered on the machine. Car did not stall for the dealer, but did stall for me every time after leaving the dealership or mechanics garage. I then paid more attention to when the car would stall. It would only stall or shut off during the very cold winters and every time it rained.... After two days or so after a rain, the car seemed to dry out and run fine. I later was told that the throttle bottle needs to be cleaned out. I had this done and the car improved. …
My Eclipse has been in and out of the Mitsubishi dealer seven times in a period of three years going into the fourth year for the same problem over and over again being that I would be driving and the car would shut completly down being able not to start back up again and while going over bumps on roads the car would buck and lead to also shutting off, the dealers response was that they could not figure out what the problem was until last year before that time they would asume what the problem was and fix something and then charging me for fixing something that did not even fix the problem. …
I had many problems with this car. The first time happened nov 1997, since I got the car in the spring of 1996, wee I kep my old car and the first winter I used this old car and my new car I kept in the garage. The problem really started the following winter. Every time that the temperure is under 30 degress my car start with the same problem. This car has been back to the dealer so many times. Well this is the problem that I have--- when I drive the car on cold weather the car as I de-press the clutch pedal to shift the idle drops to zero and stalls. This happen every time that I shift. The last time this happen I was on the highway on my way to work and I got into a car accident. Which right know I sufffer severe problems with my left lower back and shoulder. This was previously reported to your dept. Back in nov. Of 1998. Please respond!!!!!!!!!
Mitsubishi replaced the head gasket at 38,000 miles due to it leaking oil. Owner reported it leaking oil 2000 miles later. Mitsubishi denied there was a leak. I just had to replace my head gasket at 58008 miles due to it leaking oil. There is something terribly wrong with an engine that goes through 2 head gaskets at such a low mileage. I have contacted Mitsubishi and am in the process of trying to settle this matter through the dealer. This is a problem that truly needs a solution.
Prior to expiration of warranty, driver side airbag was determined by dealership that airbag was defective because horn would not work. In January 2001 I had the car in for a head gasket and sked for the horn to be checked again and it was determined once again that the airbag was defective. I saw in the paper that Mitsubishi was recalling calls due to faulty airbags (2/01). I refuse to pay $600 for something that is defective a 2nd time and I feel unsafe driving the car.
I have researched this site and deduced that Mitsubishi has produced a defective product in the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse re: defective head gasket and which leads to worn out valve seals . On July 29th 2005 the Mitsubishi corporation sued its previous presidents and former executives for defect and recall cover ups for "64,000 complaints filed by car owners dating back to 1977." anyone interested in a class action law suit? Contact me!!
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.
(1) bought car used, it had a bad rear main seal. (2) car passes georgia emission inspection (3) replace rear main seal (4) now vehicle blows smoke while standing still in traffic. (5) repair of leaking valve cover gasket (6) still smoking while in gear (7) informed of valve seals being bad.. (8) never buy mistubishi again.
Oil leaking from head gasket. Oil guy told me it could be a factory defect because he has seen this problem in the same models. However, the dealer refused to fix it with no-charge claiming warranty was expired in aug 2001. We have realized the leak in October 2001. Dealer asks $600 to fix it.
Engine complaints in other Eclipse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 16% of the model year's 159 complaints. The component named most often is engine (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.