1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Common problems & what to know before you buy
Before you message the seller, know the documented failure patterns, repair cost exposure, and risk level for the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse.
Recalls on the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Suspension: lower ball joint
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Power train: automatic transmission
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Fuel system
THE FUEL TANK GASKETS FOR THE FUEL PUMP AND/OR GAUGE UNIT GASKET COULD HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED ALLOWING FUEL OR FUMES TO ESCAPE.
8 more in the guide, with whether each one was done on the car you're looking at.
Source: NHTSA
What 189 owners reported
Source: NHTSA
1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse at a glance
- Trims
- GSGS-TGSXRSSpyder GSSpyder GS-T
- Engine
- 2.0L 4-Cylinder, 2.0L 4-Cylinder Turbo, 2.4L 4-Cylinder
- Transmission
- Automatic 4-spd, Manual 5-spd
- Drivetrain
- FWD, AWD
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Body style
- Coupe
Other Mitsubishi Eclipse years
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Frequently asked questions
What are the common problems with the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
Owners have filed 189 complaints about the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes. There are 11 recall campaigns covering this model year. Squeezed's free research-backed buyer guide cross-references these against documented failure patterns and mileage-stage risks, sorted by severity, in about a minute.
Is the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse reliable?
Reliability depends heavily on the specific configuration and how the car was maintained. Start with the 11 open recall campaigns on this model year and confirm the work was completed. Generate a Squeezed buyer guide for this exact vehicle to see a reliability snapshot, repair-cost exposure, and the questions to ask the seller before you buy.
Should I still get a pre-purchase inspection on a 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
Always. A Squeezed buyer guide is the triage step before the inspection: it shows you the documented failure patterns and what to check so you can decide which 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse listings are even worth a mechanic's time, then walk into the PPI knowing exactly what to look for.
Squeezed is a buyer guide based on public data and industry patterns, not a mechanical inspection. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before you buy.