Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have owned my care for 3 years. In that time I have had a leaking sunroof, broken passenger rear view mirror, broken passenger window "wont roll up", numerous tire changes, bad vibration, horrible noises when turning wheel, have replaced 2 transmissions, both tie rod ends, 1 lower ball joint and control arm suspension bar"more info on this below", alternator, both headlights, 4 differant seats of breaks, 2 seats constintly running low on oil, replaced the fuel filter, seat belts don't stop, battery cables keep caroding, replace spark plugs atleast 3 to 4 times a year, vibrates when going down road. Those are just the things off the top of my head that I have done to this car. Now to the accident. …
Fuel relay switch on my mitsuibishi Eclipse 1997 gs has failed on several occasions. In order to get my car to start, I have to go under the hood, "wiggle" the relay switch and lightly tap on the top of it. This fuel relay has been replaced by dealer and the problem continues to occur, even causing the car to go dead during travel. Dealership claims they do not know why it occurs. (20+ occurrences) enormous amounts of "bluish" gas fumes coming from the tail pipe, regardless of idle or in motion. (always occurring) sunroof sticks (5-10 occurrences) both driver and passenger windows rattle when car is in motion and as the door is being shut (continuous occurrence) clutch failure, hard shifting (1 occurrence).
Tl 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 continued to occur. The insurance company stated that it was best to crash the vehicle since the cost for a new transmission was equivalent to a new vehicle. The failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.
I own a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse gsx all-wheel-drive. I have a leak in the transfer case, which prematurely causes wear on the case housing and can lead to a part failure resulting in wheel lockage while driving. This is a huge safety hazard and the dealership in my area has ignored my concerns and causing me grow very concerned when I drive my vehicle. Can you please intervene here and have them fix this problem?
I was driving home from work on the highway when my transmission went out of gear I was in the process of passing a long line of trucks and had to pull off into the left side breakdown lane and was nearly hit by numerous cars due to sensors in the car shutting the transmission off due to transmission failure. I have replaced 4 transmissions in the last 2 years and am getting rid of this car as soon as possible. Its a very reliable car except for the transmissions, they are total junk and Mitsubishi should recall all of them. They definately are a safety hazard and I have had transmissions lock up on me going through intersections just about colliding into other vehicles. Im surprised that car hasnt caused a wreck yet.
1 and 1/2 years after I bought my "brand new" car, the check engine light went on. I was told that my water pump and gasket needed to be replaced. One week later I experienced a problem with the power steering, I was told the power steering pully, bracket and belt had gone and would need to be replaced. Since then I have had the brake pads and the roters resurfaced more times then I care to remember. On July 26, 1999, I had noticed a problem with my transmission. I immediately brought it to the dealership, they told me that the trans was "operating to manufacture's specs". On November 3, 1999 the dearlership advises me I need a new trans.
In June of 1998 I began experiencing the clutch intermittently sticking (sometimes to the ground and I would have to manually pull the clutch up while driving) at speeds of anywhere from 5 to 65 miles an hour. After numerous attempts to fix my car in a period of four months the dealer I have been having my car serviced at (todey mitsubihi in ventura, ca) has finally diagnosed the problem as a faulty engine, apparently the engine is actually shifting and this was causing my clutch problems. I am aware that todey Mitsubishi has seen at least one other vehicle with this same engine flaw (shifting) manifesting itself in a fluid leak.
While driving about 65 MPH manual transmission will stay in one gear, and clutch pedal will always go to floor and will stay there until engine is turned off, then restarted. Vehicle will start working again. The dealer replaced master and slave cylinder. Transfer case leaks and the consumer was still experiencing gear shifting problem.
Consumer's son was in a car accident. He was making a left turn into the intersection, and a car was sitting in traffic and his front wheel drive did not work. Also, anti lock brakes locked up and he couldn't stop.
Excessive movement in driver seat. Clutch malfunction. Vehicle has surged causing crash. Excessive tire wear. No notice of recall 97v08100 or 97V081001.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Lockup of the transfer case can occur due to insufficient lubrication.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Transfer case leakage
The transfer case of the all wheel drive (AWD), Mitsubishi galant, allegedly leaks oil causing one or more wheels to lockup; or the inability to transmit engine power to the drive wheels.the vehicles have the same transfer case design as the eclipse vehicles which have been recalled for the same alleged defect.
Transmission complaints in other Eclipse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 16% of the model year's 136 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 98V069001 (automatic transmission, Mar 26, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.