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 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I bought my 98 Eclipse, standard, in 2003, not even a year after I had it it died on me on the freeway one day. Turned out it was the speed sensor that got me stranded in the middle of no where. About another 6 months later the found an oil leak on the head gasket that was making me misfire, that was fixed. The car was fine until about 2 months ago when the engine went out on me because apparently the engine oil and coolant were somehow mixing, my hoses were out, so was my water pump, o2 sensor and fuel pump sensor, all at the same time. Well I had major work done everything was put in new, about a month later my driver door handle falls off, that cost me 150 dollars! One month after that, now, my speedometer stops working all of a sudden and 2 weeks later my transmission goes out. Also my clutch is going out. …
I was exiting an interstate and approaching a traffic signal. The rear wheels of the vehicle locked up due to a failure in the transfer case. This is the direct result of the transfer case having inadequate design and/or manufacturing error (ref NHTSA recall id: 98V069001). Both the dealer and manufacturer are refusing to perform recall work at no charge citing that the recall service was performed once before. Defective parts within the transfer case were replaced under the recall notice once before however manufacturing flaws in the transfer case design were never corrected by the manufacturer. Subsequently, the failure of the transfer case was only delayed, not corrected, through the initial recall service. Telephone inquiries made to NHTSA and the texas attorney general?s office resulted in feedback supporting this position.
Engine burns oil at approx. 1 qt per week, also has possible leaks in engine with only 69,000 miles on engine. The car has been recalled twice for same problem and it is still happened again. Has had regular oil changes for life of engine. Transmission sometimes stays on level 2 and 3 for upto 20minutes at 60mph does not change and shifts hard with slow or fast acceleration. Leaks transmission fluid, has fuel throttle leakages and control leaks from 45,000 miles up to now thursady, January 30, 2003.
Vehicle has 90,000 miles and is 1998 manufacturing date. Engine and transmission are both completely irreparable. No evidience of low oil level or other maintenance neglect which LED to the catastrophic failure. Vehicle is out of warranty and is now scrap. Although failure is out of warranty, a complete vehicle failure at 90,000 miles is not normal or acceptable.
Engine burns oil at approx. 1 qt per week, also has possible leaks in engine with only 69,000 miles on engine. Has had regular oil changes for life of engine. Brake rotors warped and need replacement, unsure of when last changed. Transmission slips and shifts hard with slow or fast acceleration.
While idling in traffic the differential exploded and knocked a large chunk of metal out. This resulted in transmission locking up and oil spilling. Vehicle will only roll backward. Towed vehicle to consumer's home. Dealership will be contacted.
While driving highway speeds, the consumer heard a popping noise form the transfer case. The rear tire locked up, however the consumer managed to pull over and had the vehicle towed. The cause was not determined. Please provide more information.
The car just stopped moving in the middle of a highway and their was no wierd sounds to forwarn me of anything! This happened in January 2001 and the dealer said it was the clutch. The dealer was rude/mean, but then I called Mitsubishi motors and they told the dealer to change the clutch. Here it is 22 months later, 10/2002, and the clutch is going out again the dealer is telling me. The dealers service women told me I must be a bad driver, and I told her I've drove sticks for 23 years and never had to replace a clutch before, let alone 2 clutches! Something is wrong with this car! 2nd problem they said and my title shows the car to be a 1998, yet the original sticker on the body around the door says manufactured in the USA in 1997. Dt
Transmission slipping and down shifting/ tach red lines before shifting/ burnt transmission fluid at 19000 miles on that fluid also my spark plugs were burnt/ changed fluid ,fluid has now turned yellow miles on fluid 7942/ car is running ver poorly/dealer cannot find the problem seemed very upset because I didn't have the car serviced there.will change trans fluid today the last time I changed the fluid it did shift better for a short period.
Dt: the consumer had manufacturer's recall c9803t repairs done. After the recall work was done the vehicle leaked oil and the transfer case broke. When the consumer contacted the dealership, they told him to contact the manufacturer. The manufacturer told the consumer that they would send his complaint # 375 625 for review. The consumer contacted the manufacturer on 8-30-05.
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 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 22% of the model year's 129 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 98V069001 (automatic transmission, Mar 26, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles.
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.