Owners filed 73 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the wheels › rim. It has been recalled 4 times.
When it fails
04559345,593 milesMedian miles at failure
39 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 10,000–20,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Wheels › Rim
18
0
0
0
Wheels
10
0
0
0
Structure
8
0
0
0
Electrical System
3
0
1
0
Tires › Sidewall
2
1
0
1
Tires
2
1
0
1
Structure › Body
2
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
1
0
0
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
2
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
2
0
0
0
4 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module15V338000
Filed Jun 2, 2015443,442 vehiclesMitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Defect. 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.
Risk. If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Remedy. 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. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.
Exterior Lighting06E060000
Filed Jun 29, 200687,745 vehiclesAai Motorsports Usa, Llc
Defect. 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."
Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH
Remedy. 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.
Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.
Defect. 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.
Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy. 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.
Defect. 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.
Risk. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy. 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 BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 1, 2015185,000 milesCT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON REFUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL LEAKED OUT THROUGH THE FUEL NECK DUE TO RUST. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.
Structure › Body
Filed Jul 29, 2015200,000 milesMI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE IN PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE FRACTURES ACROSS THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Dec 10, 201470,000 milesCA
CAUGHT FIRE OVER NIGHT WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY. WOKE UP THE FOLLOWING MORNING TO FIND THE DASH BOARD MELTED, WINDOWS SMOKED OUT, FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND DRIVER SIDE DOOR BURNT. *TR
Structure › Body
Filed Jul 29, 2014CO
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CRACKED SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAD HAPPENED, AS I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD ASSUMED THAT IT POSSIBLY GOT TOO HOT FROM THE SUN ONE DAY. I WAS APPALLED TO HEAR THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. PARTS OF A CAR SHOULD NOT BREAK IN TWO OR THREE PIECES. MITSUBISHI SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ISSUES. I HAVE TO TAKE A BITE IN THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE, THE FUNDS SHOULD COME OUT OF MITSUBISHI'S POCKET, NOT MINE! I ALSO AM HAVING ISSUES WITH THE PAINT ON THE SPOILER. THE PAINT HAS STRANGELY DISAPPEARED AND THE PART HAS TURNED WHITE. IT'S WEIRD! AGAIN, I FEEL THAT IF MITSUBISHI HAD A PROBLEM WITH THEIR PAINT JOBS, THEY SHOULD FIX THEM! *JS
Child Seat › Latch Connector/Clip
Filed Jul 25, 2013MA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A BABY TREND CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT, MODEL NUMBER: TJ94128 (NA), AND MANUFACTURED JULY 7, 2012. THE CHILD SEAT WAS BEING USED IN A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHILD SEAT LOWER LATCH CONNECTOR FAILED TO LOCK DURING THE INSTALLATION OF THE BASE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHILD SEAT WOULD BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE INFORMATION WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Electrical System
Filed Oct 23, 2012FL
MY LEFT TURNING SIGNAL WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE OFF POSITION AFTER TURNING AND THEN OUT OF THE SUDDEN MY HEADLIGHTS ON HIGH BEAM WOULD STAY ON PERMANENTLY, LOW BEAMS WOULD NOT START . MY TURNING SIGNAL STOP WORKING AND NOW MY CAR WONT START. *TR
Power Train
Filed May 19, 2012135,000 milesMO
TRANSMISSION STOPS FUNCTIONING DUE TO WAVE/CUSHION SPRING FAILURE. *TR
Electrical System
Filed Mar 19, 2012132,000 milesGA
WE WERE DRIVING AND CAR JUST DIED. BUT IT STILL WANTED TO START JUST ACTED LIKE DIDN'T HAVE GAS. TO BUT WE JUST FILLED UP. SO WE FIGURED FUEL PUMP. REPLACED IT AND NOTHING STILL SO THEN WE CALL A DEALER AND HE SAYS MOST COMMON THING THAT HAPPENS IN THESE CARS IS COMPUTER GETS FRIED. *JS
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 22, 2011172,000 milesVA
WHILE DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON 95 IN VIRGINIA (ABOUT 20 MINS OUTSIDE OF RICHMOND) MY 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE'S ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK. THE CAR ENDED UP OVERHEATING AND THE BRAKES FAILED (THE FRONT DRIVER ROTOR ACTUALLY RIPPED APART) BEFORE I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL. *TR
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 22, 201196,000 milesCT
AFTER CHECKING OUT SERVICE ENGINE CODES P0456 AND P0457 (EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM LEAK DETECTED) I FOUND THE FUEL FILLER NECK TUBE AND ALL VENT LINES TOTALLY CORRODED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE AND THIS ASSEMBLY IS LOCATED IN THE REAR RIGHT SIDE WHEEL WELL. DRIVING AREA IS THE NORTHEAST AND FOUND SAND AND DEBRIS PACKED ALL AROUND ASSEMBLY WHERE TUBES MAKE A 90 DEGREE TURN THROUGH A SUPPORT/PROTECTIVE BRACKET. I REPAIRED WITH A NEW FUEL NECK ASSEMBLY (PART NO. MR73836) PURCHASED FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AT A COST OF $200 FOR PARTS ONLY. NO FUEL HAD YET LEAKED OUT BUT WOULD HAVE IN A SHORT TIME IF THIS PART WAS NOT REPLACED. DEALER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT OTHER MITSUBISHI MODELS AROUND THIS SAME YEAR HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS SAME CONDITION. *TR
Wheels
Filed May 2, 201115 milesKY
2002 ECLIPSE COUPE, OK THIS IS A MAJOR PROMBLEM, HOPE SOMEONE WILL LISTEN THE WHEELS (RIMS) CRACK ON THESE CARS "CHEAP" BOTH FRONT WHEELS AND DRIVERS SIDE BACK WHEEL. IF YOU HIT A POTHOLE YOUR GONNA PURCHASE NEW WHEELS. I AM A SINGLE MOM MY KIDS RIDE IN THIS CAR. MANY OTHERS HAVE "COMPLAINED" DO SOMETHING BEFORE YOU ARE SCRAPPING CHILDREN OFF THE EXPRESSWAY.....THESE WHEELS ON THE 2002 ECLIPSE ARE DANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE TO KEEP REPLACING I CAN NOT AFFORD IT,, *TR
Wheels
Filed Mar 8, 2011NH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIMS WERE BENDING ABNORMALLY AND CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. THE RIMS WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ
Structure
Filed Oct 15, 200985,000 milesCA
THERE IS A MAJOR DEFECT IN THE DASHBOARDS OF MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE'S (YEARS 2000-05). THE DASHBOARD WILL CRACK AS THE CAR HITS UNEVEN ROAD SUCH ASH POT HOLES. IN THE HEAT AND COLD ALTHOUGH COVERED AND PROTECTED FRO DIRECT SUNLIGHT THE DASH WILL EXPAND AND RETRACT IN SIZE CREATING SMALL FRACTURES THAT CAN CRACK. ONCE THE CRACKS BECOME LARGE ENOUGH PIECES WILL EITHER FLY OUT TOWARDS THE DRIVER OR FALL INTO THE HEATING AND COOLING DUCTS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CARS BLOWER MOTOR. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE FOR PIECES OF THE DASHBOARD TO SHATTER AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DURING A COLLISION CAUSING FATAL DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGERS OR DRIVER. THIS IS NOT A CASE BY CASE BASIS BUT ON EVERY 2000-05 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE I HAVE COME ACROSS. *TR
Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut
Filed Aug 31, 2009NY
2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE THE LIFTBACK DOOR SUDDENLY FELL. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE LIFTBACK DETACHED FROM THE LEFT PISTON AND VIOLENTLY SLAMMED SHUT. THE PISTON ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE WELDED BACK INTO PLACE. *JB
Structure
Filed Aug 5, 2009MO
I BOUGHT A BLACK 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE IN 2004. THE PAINT JOB SEEMED FINE BUT SOON I REALIZED THAT MY PAINT IS DISSOLVING OFF MY CAR! THE CLEAR COAT IS ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE AND I AM AFRAID MY CAR WILL SOON START TO RUST. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER BLACK ECLIPSES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT APPLY THE BLACK PAINT OR THE CLEAR COAT CORRECTLY ON THE BLACK 2002 ECLIPSES. I FEEL LIKE THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY DID NOT MAKE THEIR PRODUCT TO LAST. *TR
Wheels
Filed Feb 6, 2009CA
FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS CRACKED. MY TIRE WOULD SLOWLY DEFLATE SO I PURCHASED A NEW TIRE THINKING THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, MY TIRE CONTINUED TO LOOSE AIR. SO I WENT BACK TO TIRE COMPANY AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT IS WAS NOT THE TIRE BUT A CRACK IN THE RIM. SO I PURCHASED A NEW WHEEL AND NOW AFTER A FEW MONTHS I HAVE A BENT RIM. THESE WHEELS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO CONTINUE PURCHASING NEW WHEELS IF THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. I WOULD JUST PURCHASED A WHOLE NEW DIFFERENT SET OF WHEELS IF I HAD THE FUNDS AVAILABLE, WHICH I DO NOT. *TR
Wheels
Filed Sep 8, 200885,000 milesVA
I HAVE A BLACK I GUESS YOU CAN CALL IT BLACK AND WHITE 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CLEAR COAT IT COMPLETELY OFF AND THE BLACK PAINT IS JUST ABOUT GONE. I HAVE RUST SPOTS COMING THROUGH NOW. IT FIRST STARTED ON THE HOOD ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND NOW IT IS EVERYWHERE. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE TWO OF MY RIMS BECAUSE THEY WERE BENT. NOW I HAVE A SHIMMY IN MY STEERING WHEEL WHEN I GET UP TO 65MPH THIS STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO ALSO. I HAVE GOTTEN NEW TIRES AND RIMS ON IT HOPING THAT WOULD HELP THE PROBLEM BUT IT IS JUST AS BAD AS IT WAS LAST YEAR. *TR
Structure
Filed Aug 16, 200867,000 milesOR
AFTER HAVING MY CAR WASHED AND DETAILED IN LATE MAY OF 2008, I NOTICED A WHITE DETERIORATION OF PAINT ON THE HOOD. OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS THE DAMAGE HAS SPREAD OVER THE HOOD AND THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE LIKE A FUNGUS. I RECENTLY WENT ONLINE TO RESEARCH THE PROBLEM AND DISCOVERED HUNDREDS OF MITSUBISHI OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. MOST HAVE STATED THAT MITSUBISHI HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM AND WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECT AS THE CAR IS "NO LONGER UNDER THE 36 MONTH WARRANTY PERIOD". MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS HAVE NOTED THE COST OF REPAIR AS HIGH AS $3,500 - 9,000 TO REPAINT THE CAR. TO REPAIR THE CAR COULD BE MORE THAN THE KELLEY BLUE BOOK VALUE FOR SOME OWNERS. I HAVE FOUND NO INFORMATION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HAS BEEN FILED, HOWEVER, A GENTLEMAN IN PA IS ORGANIZING CONSUMERS TO INITIATE A CASE. THERE ARE SEVERAL WEBSITES THAT HAVE BEEN CREATED (IE: DEADECLIPSE.COM; MITSUBISHISUCKS.COM) AS A FORUM FOR HUNDREDS OF DISSATISFIED CUSTOMERS TO VOICE THEIR DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE COMPANY/PRODUCT. IT SEEMS UNUSUAL THAT WITH HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS CIRCULATING ABOUT THE MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT (CLEAR COAT PAINT) ON MANY OF ITS MODELS, THE NHTSA HAS NO RECORD OF INVESTIGATION OR RECALLS. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS A FORMAL COMPLAINT AND INITIATE A FORMAL INVESTIGATION. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU. PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU. *TR
Structure
Filed Jul 13, 2008NC
I HAVE A BLACK, 2002 MITSUBISHI, ECLIPSE GT AND THE PAINT IS COMING OFF. THE ROOF AND THE HOOD PAINT IS ALMOST DOWN TO THE BASE METAL. I HAVE ALSO SEEN OTHER ECLIPSE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Wheels
Filed Jul 9, 200894,090 milesGA
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT I'VE HAD TO REPLACE MY RIM DUE TO THE LIP BENDING BACK CAUSING THE TIRE TO DEFLATE. BOTH TIMES IT WAS ON THE FRONT TIRE. LOOKING AT ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT WITH THE MITSUBISHI RIMS WHICH RESULTS IN DECREASED STEERING CONTROL AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Jun 2, 2015. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.