Complaints
220
Crashes
31
Fires
5
Injuries
12
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#116 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Crash-related:13
#215 complaints
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
Avg mileage:109,204 mi
Crash-related:2
#314 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Avg mileage:60,000 mi
Fires:1
Considering a 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 16 | 13 | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 15 | 2 | — | 109,204 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 14 | — | 1 | 60,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 11 | — | — | 19,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 6 | 2 | — | 71,250 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 6 | 2 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 5 | 2 | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 5 | — | — | 126,667 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Sunroof/Moonroof | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 2 | — | — | — |
Air Bags:Frontal
16
complaints
Crashes
13
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
15
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
109,204
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
60,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
19,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
71,250
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
126,667
Seat-Related Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Control Arm
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Sunroof/Moonroof
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Mitsubishi Eclipse Years
1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse has 220 NHTSA complaints, 31 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Air Bags:Frontal with 16 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
Top reported problems: Air Bags:Frontal (16 complaints); Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint (15 complaints, avg 109,204 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (14 complaints, avg 60,000 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 73,488 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
NHTSA complaints for the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse include 31 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 12 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Mitsubishi Eclipse reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99