Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1996 vs 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 359 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 13.6% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

1996 155 complaints 1997 134 complaints

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1996 share 1997 share Share change
ENGINE 14.2% 25.4% ▲ 11.2 pts larger share
SERVICE BRAKES 12.9% 5.2% ▼ 7.7 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION 14.8% 9.7% ▼ 5.1 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN 8.4% 13.4% ▲ 5.0 pts larger share
WHEELS 3.2% 8.2% ▲ 5.0 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3.9% 1.5% ▼ 2.4 pts smaller share
STEERING 4.5% 2.2% ▼ 2.3 pts smaller share
AIR BAGS 8.4% 9.7% ▲ 1.3 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3.2% 4.5% ▲ 1.3 pts larger share
VISIBILITY 2.6% 3.7% ▲ 1.2 pts larger share
TIRES 1.9% 3.0% ▲ 1.1 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 3.2% 2.2% ▼ 1.0 pts smaller share
PARKING BRAKE 0.7% not reported ▼ 0.7 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE 7.1% 6.7% ▼ 0.4 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2.6% 2.2% ▼ 0.3 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS 1.3% 1.5% ▲ 0.2 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 83.2% 72.4% ▼ 10.8 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1996 11

Campaign components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN, and SUSPENSION

1997 12

Campaign components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN, SEATS, and SUSPENSION

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
5 → 6
◆ Injuries
9 → 16