1998 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026
1998 · All trims · All engines
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse has 13 documented known issues, with 8 rated critical. The most serious are AWD (GSX) Transfer Case Lockup - NHTSA Recall 98V069000, Front Lower Ball Joint Boot Damage and Separation (NHTSA Recalls 99V066001 / 00V421001), AWD Transfer Case Lockup and Output Shaft Seal Leaks (GSX, NHTSA Recall 98V069001) ($300-$2,000 repair), 4G63 7-Bolt Crank Walk (Thrust Bearing Failure) ($3,500-$7,500 repair), Balance Shaft Belt Failure Destroying the Timing Belt (Interference 4G63) ($1,500-$4,000 repair), 4G63 "Crankwalk" - Crankshaft Thrust Bearing Failure (7-bolt engines) ($3,000-$6,500 repair), Front Subframe / Crossmember and Rocker Rust Corrosion (salt-belt cars) ($500-$2,500 repair) and Timing Belt Failure on Interference 4G63 (catastrophic valve damage) ($600-$3,500 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $75 to $7,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE. ALSO, MMC HAS ADDED THE POTENTIAL OF LEAKING MOISTURE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BALL STUD TO CORRODE.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DASH PANEL PAD CAN SHIFT INTERFERRING WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse has 13 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: AWD (GSX) Transfer Case Lockup - NHTSA Recall 98V069000, Front Lower Ball Joint Boot Damage and Separation (NHTSA Recalls 99V066001 / 00V421001), AWD Transfer Case Lockup and Output Shaft Seal Leaks (GSX, NHTSA Recall 98V069001). Of these, 8 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse has 13 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 8 issues are rated critical: AWD (GSX) Transfer Case Lockup - NHTSA Recall 98V069000 and Front Lower Ball Joint Boot Damage and Separation (NHTSA Recalls 99V066001 / 00V421001) and AWD Transfer Case Lockup and Output Shaft Seal Leaks (GSX, NHTSA Recall 98V069001) and 4G63 7-Bolt Crank Walk (Thrust Bearing Failure) and Balance Shaft Belt Failure Destroying the Timing Belt (Interference 4G63) and 4G63 "Crankwalk" - Crankshaft Thrust Bearing Failure (7-bolt engines) and Front Subframe / Crossmember and Rocker Rust Corrosion (salt-belt cars) and Timing Belt Failure on Interference 4G63 (catastrophic valve damage). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Mitsubishi Eclipse issues range from $75 to $7,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
NHTSA recall 98V069001 establishes that certain AWD Eclipse vehicles can experience transfer-case lockup from insufficient lubrication, creating a loss-of-control risk. The manufacturer remedy is inspection of transfer-case oil volume, leakage and operational degradation, followe… Severity: high.
NHTSA recalls 99V066001 and 00V421001 establish that damaged front lower lateral-arm ball-joint boots can admit dirt, water or moisture, leading to wear or corrosion and possible ball-joint separation. The expanded campaign remedy uses a measured wear tolerance: replace joints be… Severity: high.
On AWD GSX (and Talon TSi AWD platform) cars, the transfer case output shaft seal leaks gear oil until the case runs dry, and per NHTSA recall 98V069001 'lockup of the transfer case can occur due to insufficient lubrication.' Owners have reported the wheels locking at 50-68 mph,… Repairs typically run $300-$2,000. Severity: high.
The 1995-1999 Eclipse GS-T and GSX use the 7-bolt 4G63 turbo engine, which is notoriously prone to 'crank walk' — excessive axial movement of the crankshaft caused by thrust bearing failure. The crankshaft literally moves fore-and-aft inside the block, eventually destroying the c… Repairs typically run $3,500-$7,500. Severity: high.
The turbo 4G63 is an interference engine, and its narrow balance shaft belt runs directly alongside the main timing belt. When the aging balance shaft belt frays or snaps — common on neglected 1G six-bolt and 2G seven-bolt cars — the debris gets caught in the timing belt, causing… Repairs typically run $1,500-$4,000. Severity: high.
The 1996-1999 second-generation Eclipse turbo (GS-T/GSX) uses the 7-bolt 4G63T, which is notorious for "crankwalk": the crankshaft thrust bearing wears out and allows the crank to move excessively fore-aft (lateral end-play). Marginal oiling to the thrust surface, dirt contaminat… Repairs typically run $3,000-$6,500. Severity: high.
Like most DSM-era cars, 1990s Eclipses in road-salt regions suffer structural corrosion of the front crossmember/subframe (which locates the lower control arms) as well as the rocker panels, strut towers, and rear subframe/trailing-arm mounts. Because the lower control arms bolt… Repairs typically run $500-$2,500. Severity: high.
The DOHC 4G63 (both the naturally aspirated 4G63 and turbo 4G63T across 1990-1999) is an interference engine: if the timing belt snaps or jumps, the pistons strike the open valves, bending valves and often damaging the head and pistons. These belts were specified for replacement… Repairs typically run $600-$3,500. Severity: high.
Both 1G and 2G Eclipse/Talon bodies rot in predictable places: the rear wheel arches and the lower quarter panel just ahead of the rear tires, the rocker/support area under the doors, and — most structurally serious — the front strut towers. The arch and rocker seams trap road sa… Repairs typically run $500-$3,000. Severity: medium.
The 4G63 uses a cam angle sensor (an optical sensor mounted in the distributor housing on the exhaust cam) to provide the crank/cam timing signal to the ECU. With age the CAS optical disc, LEDs/phototransistors, and internal bearing wear out and produce erratic or lost signals. O… Repairs typically run $200-$550. Severity: medium.
On 1995-1999 cars the fuel pump's factory wiring is undersized and its chassis ground (at the floor crossmember under the driver's seat) corrodes with age, dropping voltage at the pump into the 10-11V range under load. The paired fuel pump/MFI relay behind the center console can… Repairs typically run $75-$400. Severity: medium.
The 4G63's hydraulic lash adjusters (lifters) are notorious for clogging with oil varnish or bleeding down, producing the infamous DSM 'lifter tick' from the valve cover. The early-design lifters used in 1G cars were revised twice by Mitsubishi specifically to address the noise. Repairs typically run $150-$900. Severity: low.
As the 4G63/4G63T ages, the valve stem seals harden and shrink, letting oil seep down the valve guides into the combustion chamber. The signature symptom is a puff of blue smoke on startup or on a quick rev after the engine has idled for a while, plus gradual oil consumption. Tur… Repairs typically run $400-$1,200. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
