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 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse. While driving 45 MPH, the steering wheel detached from the steering column. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over and towed to an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the passenger side control arm, axle, and transmission needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 206,000.
1st incident: April 2002: 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse gs locks up (transmission) constantly jumps and the speedometer will shut off. This problem was checked by official mechanics of Mitsubishi and suposedly corrected by them as well. Today: March 12, 2005: on my home, the car locks up, jumps, but completely shuts off, luckily I was only a block away from my home when this happened. After several attempts I did start the car again but the spedometer is not responding and when shifting from neutral to drive or reverse the car jumps. Same problem all over again. Mitsubishi said the problem was corrected back in April of 2002, parts were replaced. This could have caused a car accident or injury if I were on a major highway.
My 99 Eclipse has now 84,000 miles. On November 8 2002 my automatic transmission lost third gear, I had it replaced and now the second transmission went out. The first transmission had the input and output speed sensors replaced twice along with the ignition box. The transmission I have now the dealer states,"the code reads faulty over-drive solenoid but my technician believes it is internal." I have had all the maintenance completed in compliance with the owners manual and still have problems with my vehicle.
Dt: consumer states he had to replace the transfer case on his 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The tail shaft seal leaked, there was a recall for different model years NHTSA 98V069000. When the consumer took the transfer case down, there was a bunch of shavings and no fluid left. The transfer case locked up and that is why he took that down. When he took the vehicle to the dealership, they told him it was not covered under that recall. The consumer was driving in his neighborhood when the vehicle locked up.
Manual transmission failure. Stick shift would pop out of 5th gear on occassion and then started to pop out of gear in 4th then complete transmission failure. Car has less than 43000 miles on it. I've heard of several other people with this same problem. Also drivers side door handle fell off, again heard several other people with same problem. Obviously a defect.
Gears on car weren't shifting on acceleration;stayed in low gear. Turned out to be a bad input sensor with pieces of metal around it. During a transmission maintenance the same day, there were metal shavings found on the panel. During further inspection, it turned out that the torque converter failed and the clutches were burnt. Also, there was an outdated drum housing design on the car that has been updated in newer models because failures were found in the old design (which was in my care). I have a letter of findings from the transmission shop that inspected the car and they indicated that the transmission in my Eclipse failed quicker than it should have. Mitsubishi should have issued a recall on the old drum housing designs that are part of the transmission because this May be one of the reasons why my transmission failed prematurely.
Automobile was purchased with complaints about transmission not working properly. Dealer supposedly checked out the situation, and stated nothing was wrong. Transmission failed less than three months later with transmission repair shop stating susspect previous repairs had been made on the car with the signs of some water damage. Also the auto was sold with an expired inspection sticker.
All dsm AWD models from 1990 to 1998 have had this transfer case problem and subsequent recall. Upon inspection by a local aamco shop, it was determined that there was very little, if any, lubricant in the transfer case (assumably a leak). This severely damaged the transmission, and they're asking ~$2600 to rebuilt transmission and transfer case.
Transmission got stuck on 2nd gear, then another occasion in 3rd gear, cause: blown circuit/sensor.... Air cond. Does not turn on at all at times, not even the fan, turns on by itself after driving for about 30 mins, cause: A/C fan motor..... Car pulls to the right, even after several alignments and tire adjustments, cause: unknown, still exists.
The speed sensors are bad on the car causing the transmission to be stuck in second gear. This is the second time this happened. Both incidents were reported to the dealership and the first time they said there was nothing wrong. Now this time they said that it's not covered on the warranty.
Transmission complaints in other Eclipse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 21% of the model year's 120 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse, though it has 2 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 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 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.