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

1998 vs 1999 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 335 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 4.9% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

1998 123 complaints 1999 117 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 1998 share 1999 share Share change
AIR BAGS 13.8% 2.6% ▼ 11.3 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE 8.1% 18.0% ▲ 9.8 pts larger share
STEERING 1.6% 7.7% ▲ 6.1 pts larger share
VISIBILITY 4.1% 0.9% ▼ 3.2 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES 4.9% 7.7% ▲ 2.8 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN 17.9% 15.4% ▼ 2.5 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS 2.4% not reported ▼ 2.4 pts smaller share
FUEL SYSTEM 2.4% not reported ▼ 2.4 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4.1% 1.7% ▼ 2.4 pts smaller share
ENGINE 10.6% 12.8% ▲ 2.3 pts larger share
SUSPENSION 8.1% 6.0% ▼ 2.2 pts smaller share
PARKING BRAKE not reported 0.9% ▲ 0.9 pts larger share
TIRES 0.8% not reported ▼ 0.8 pts smaller share
WHEELS 8.1% 7.7% ▼ 0.4 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5.7% 6.0% ▲ 0.3 pts larger share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 0.8% 0.9% ▲ 0.0 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 74.8% 76.9% ▲ 2.1 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1998 13

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

1999 11

Campaign components: EQUIPMENT, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, and SUSPENSION

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
5 → 3
◆ Injuries
13 → 5