Mitsubishi Eclipse reliability: problems and recalls.

Complaints and recalls by model year

Popular years draw more complaints partly because more were sold. We don't have usable sales for this model, so these are counts, not a score.

What owners complain about

When problems show up

Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 32,000 and 95,000 miles. The middle report was at 62,350 miles, from 634 complaints.

How serious

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

In owners' words

Wheel rim is being replaced for fourth time on passenger's right side. Repairs cost at most each time $350. Dealer didn't see a defect on rim. They had their engineers testing it.

2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse owner · NHTSA complaint 883036

Wheels bend and tires blow out repeatedly. Wheels are obviously defective.

2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse owner · NHTSA complaint 10018628

While driving about 3 mph and making a turn onto a side street, the vehicle hit a curb which caused a dent on the left side of the vehicle. The consumer stated while sitting in an enclosed body shop, the rear window exploded.

2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse owner · NHTSA complaint 10038437

Recalls 22

• 15V338000 Jun 2015 Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module

  Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.

  Fix. MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

• 15V337000 Jun 2015 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip / Control Unit/Module

  Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 20, 2005, to February 13, 2009, and 2007-2009 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured December 23, 2005, to February 13, 2009. Due to corrosion inside the antil-lock brake system (ABS) unit, one or more of the internal valves may seize. In a braking event that uses the ABS, a seized valve would increase brake pedal travel and reduce braking ability.

  Fix. MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, flush and clean the ABS hydraulic unit using high grade brake fluid, free of charge. If the inspection shows that the valves may seize, the ABS unit will be replaced. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-004.

• 08V454000 Sep 2008 Fuel System, Gasoline / Storage / Tank Assembly

  MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 45,988 MY 2005-2007 ENDEAVOR, GALANT, ECLIPSE COUPE, AND MY 2007 ECLIPSE SPYDER VEHICLES. THE BRACKET THAT IS THE ATTACHMENT POINT FOR THE LEFT REAR FUEL TANK MOUNTING STRAP MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY FORMED DURING A METAL STAMPING PROCESS. THE PROCESS MAY HAVE CAUSED THE METAL TO HAVE A SPLIT IN THE AREA WHERE THE BOLT THAT HOLDS ONE OF THE TWO FUEL TANK STRAPS TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS LOCATED. IN THE EVENT THE FUEL TANK IS FULL AND THE VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO A SEVERE COLLISION, THE BRACKET MAY BREAK AND ALLOW THE FUEL TANK TO DROP DOWN, POSSIBLY CAUSING A FU

  Fix. DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE IF THE LEFT REAR FUEL TANK STRAP MOUNTING BRACKET HAS SPLITTING BEYOND A SPECIFIC LIMIT. VEHICLES WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE SPLITTING WILL BE REPAIRED USING A REINFORCEMENT CAP, A SPECIAL STRUCTURAL ADHESIVE, AND A RIVET TO REINFORCE THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING BRACKET. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

• 06V414000 Oct 2006 Power Train / Automatic Transmission

  ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE KEY LOCK CABLE WAS IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND MAY NOT ALLOW THE CABLE END TO LOCK INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER MECHANISM. THIS CAN RESULT IN THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM TO BECOME INOPERATIVE AND ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WITHOUT THE GEARSHIFT MECHANISM BEING PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.

  Fix. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE IGNITION INTERLOCK CABLE AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 20, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-888-648-7820.

• 06V334000 Sep 2006 Structure / Frame And Members

  ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE METAL FORMING PART OF THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY STAMPED RESULTING IN THE METAL BECOMING THINNER IN THE CROSS-SECTION THAN SPECIFIED. THIS COULD, OVER TIME, RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF THE CROSSMEMBER.

  Fix. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE CROSSMEMBER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 888-648-7820.

• 06E060000 Jun 2006 Exterior Lighting

  CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

  Fix. AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

• 06E049000 May 2006 Exterior Lighting

  CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

  Fix. CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

• 06E026000 Mar 2006 Exterior Lighting

  CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

  Fix. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

• 05V299000 Jun 2005 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components / Master Cylinder

  ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ONE OF FOUR SEALS INSIDE THE MASTER CYLINDER MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY. AS A RESULT, THE MASTER CYLINDER MAY UNEXPECTEDLY BY-PASS HYDRAULIC BRAKING FORCE PRESSURE AND ALLOW A LONGER THAN NORMAL PEDAL STROKE.

  Fix. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN JUNE 28, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-888-648-7820.

• 05V247000 Jun 2005 Service Brakes, Hydraulic

  CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN FITTED WITH A DEFECTIVE BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.

  Fix. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE ON MAY 24, 2005, TO STOP DRIVING THEIR VEHICLES AND ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE FOR A LOANER VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

• 04V428000 Sep 2004 Equipment / Other / Labels

  CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

  Fix. MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEG

• 04V312000 Jun 2004 Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

  ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE IMPROPERLY MOLDED.

  Fix. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

• 03V442000 Nov 2003 Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Fuel Pump

  ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE RESTRICTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.

  Fix. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP PRESSURE. THOSE VEHICLES EXHIBITING HIGHER THAN NORMAL FUEL PUMP PRESSURE WILL RECEIVE FUEL PUMP MODIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN DECEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037 OR MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-800-981-0452.

• 01V295001 Sep 2001 Steering / Hydraulic Power Assist / Hose, Piping, And Connections

  VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH V6 ENGINES TO FEDERAL EMISSION STANDARDS. THE POWER STEERING FLUID FEED TUBE CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD MOUNTED HEAT SHIELD CAUSING A HOLE TO BE WORN THROUGH THE POWER STEERING PIPE ALLOWING FLUID LEAKAGE.

  Fix. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING TUBE WITH ONE HAVING A NEW ROUTING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 26, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AMERICA AT 1-800-222-0037.

• 01V069000 Mar 2001 Fuel System, Gasoline / Storage / Tank Assembly

  VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A BULGE IN THE FUEL TANK CAUSED BY THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS RESULTED IN THINNING OF THE MATERIAL DURING A WELDING OPERATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF FUEL LEAKAGE.

  Fix. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 26, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

• 01V011001 Jan 2001 Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Cooling Unit And Lines

  VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A HOSE WAS MIS-MANUFACTURED AND COULD WEAKEN OVER TIME, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID.

  Fix. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOSE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING WILL BE PHASED OVER A FIVE-MONTH PERIOD STARTING MARCH 26, THROUGH JULY 23, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

• 01V005001 Jan 2001 Seats

  VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A NUMBER OF INCORRECT DRIVER SIDE SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS WERE INSTALLED INTO VEHICLES.

  Fix. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS AND THEN REPLACE THE BOLTS IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 15, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

• 00V320001 Oct 2000 Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

  VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OUTER LAYER ONLY OF THIS 3-LAYER FUEL RETURN HOSE DOES NOT CONTAIN THE DESIRED OZONE PROTECTION DUE TO A PROCESSING ERROR.

  Fix. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.

• 00V299001 Oct 2000 Engine And Engine Cooling / Engine

  VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HARNESS FOR THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH A NEW PROTECTIVE SHIELD CAUSING A GROUNDED CIRCUIT.

  Fix. DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HARNESS.

• 00V225001 Aug 2000 Steering / Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)

  VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A NUT IN THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED, RESULTING IN SYMPTOMS RANGING FROM STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION TO STIFF STEERING, AND IN THE WORST CASE, NO ABILITY TO TURN LEFT.

  Fix. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY IF A LOOSE NUT CONNECTION IS FOUND.

• 99V333001 Nov 1999 Electrical System / 12V/24V/48V Battery / Cables

  VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES AND FEDERAL EMISSION EQUIPMENT. THE BATTERY CABLE HARNESS CAN BECOME HEAT DAMAGED BY THE FRONT EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH COULD CAUSE GROUNDED CIRCUITS.

  Fix. DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND DISCARD A METAL MANIFOLD BRACKET (FROM GALANT MODELS ONLY - ECLIPSE HAS NO SUCH BRACKET). DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE HARNESS. IF THE HARNESS WIRES SHOW NO DAMAGE, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A HEAT INSULATOR ALONG WITH HEAT RESISTANT HARNESS CLIPS. IF THE HARNESS WIRES DO SHOW DAMAGE, THE DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HARNESS WITH PREINSTALLED INTEGRAL HEAT PROTECTION.

• 99V305001 Nov 1999 Exterior Lighting / Headlights / Switch

  VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE COLUMN SWITCH LEVERS CAN BECOME LOOSE OR BREAK OVER TIME.

  Fix. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED SWITCH.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check the exact car's VIN for open recalls.

Every Mitsubishi Eclipse recall, all years · All Mitsubishi recalls