Page 2 of 3 · complaints 51–100 of 124

2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2003 record →

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 7, 200744,000 milesOH

THERE WAS NO INCIDENT, CRASH OR INJURY. I PURCHASED A BLACK 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE, IN 2005, WHICH HAD 40000 MI ON NIT. THE PAINT WAS OK AT TIME OF PURCHASE. UNKNOWN TO ME, MITSUBISHI VEHICLES FROM 1999-2004 HAVE DEFECTIVE PRIMER WHICH CAUSES THE PAINT TO FLAKE OFF IN LARGE QUANTITIES. I HAD THE VEHICLE LESS THAN A YEAR WHEN THE PAINT STARTING COMING OFF. THE MANUFACTURERS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT ONLY FIXES SOME OF THE VEHICLES. MY CLAIM WAS DENIED. I BELIEVE THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO DEFECTIVE PAINT.*AK

Structure
Filed Jun 30, 2007MO

PAINT ON CAR IS FLAKING OFF. MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MISTSUBISHI MODELS. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Jan 7, 200736,500 milesTX

FRONT RIGHT BRAKE ROTOR KEEPS WARPING. REPLACED WITH NEW ONE ONCE WHILE CAR STILL UNDER WARRANTY; SAME ONE (AREA) WARPED AGAIN WITH IN 1 YR OF 1ST TIME, HAD RESURFACED, NOW WITHIN LESS THAN THREE MONTHS IT IS WARPED AGAIN. IT IS NOT THE WAY I DRIVE, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 25 YEARS & I HAVE NEVER HAD A WARPED ROTOR ON ANY CAR I HAVE OWNED & I HAD A CAMARO FOR 6 YEARS & HAD 140,000, & NO WARPED ROTOR! WHY IS IT THE SAME ONE EVERY TIME? I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER & EVEN THEY CAN'T FIND OUT WHY THE SAME ONE GETS WARPED. IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED BY A VERY EXPERIENCED BRAKE SPECIALIST THAT THE ROTOR WAS DEFECTIVE IN MANUFACTURING, WHICH THE METAL WAS CAST WITH IMPUTRITIES CAUSING THIN & THINK PLACES THAT WITH ANY HEAT WEAR UNEVENLY, CAUSING WARPAGE. MAKES SENSE. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOR BUT I ONLY HAVE 41,000 ON IT, AND I ONLY GO TO AND FROM WORK WHICH IS ONLY 8 MILES FROM HOME WITH ONLY TWO STOPS SIGNS. THERE IS NOT MUCH USEAGE OF MY BRAKES, NOT ENOUGH TO CONTINUE TO REPLACE THE SAME ROTOR! THERE ARE NUMEROUS WEBSITES ABOUT MITSUBISHI CARS & PROBLEMS THAT SOUND EXACTLY LIKE MINE, SO I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE, BUT MITSUBISHI WANTS TO BLAME THE DRIVERS FOR MAKING BAD OR SUDDEN STOPS OR RIDING BREAKS, INSTEAD OF ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM. IF I HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY OF THE 8 CARS I HAVE OWNED IN MY LIEFTIME, THEN YES MAYBE IT MIGHT BE MY DRIVING, BUT NEVER TILL THIS CAR HAVE I HAD A ROTOR ISSUE. *NM

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 11, 200642,000 milesCA

WE HAVE A 2003 BLACK MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE PAINT IS GOING BAD ON ALL THE TOP AREAS OF THE CAR. THE CLEAR COAT PEELING AND IT IS TURNING WHITE. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER BLACK MITSUBISHI'S LIKE THIS AND HAVE SEEN OTHER WEB SITES THAT SPEAK OF THIS. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE THAT IN TWO OR THREE YEARS THAT A FACTORY PAINT JOB FROM A MAJOR CAR COMPANY CAN GO BAD THIS SOON AND IN SO MANY CARS. WHAT IS WORSE IS THAT THEY ARE NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE PROBLEM EXISTS. *NM

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Sep 22, 200654,645 milesCA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHERE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS REPORTED A MAJOR FUEL LEAK THAT COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED. WHEN THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #(03V442000) ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper
Filed Sep 15, 2006CA

3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING A 2003 MITSUBISHI ESCLIPSE GS, I NOTICED RUST APPEARING ON THE ROTORS AND CALIPERS. THE DEALERSHIP SPRAYED SOMETHING ON THEM WHEN WE HAD IT IN FOR WARRANTY SERVICE. THIS RUST HAS GOTTEN INCREASINGLY WORSE. THERE ARE ONLY 40,000 MILES ON THIS CAR. I AM WORRIED THAT THIS RUST WILL LEAD TO A FAILURE IN THESE PARTS IN THE FUTURE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 28, 2006KY

2003 BLACK MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GTS - PAINT IS FADING (TURNING WHITE) ON TOP OF CAR AROUND MOONROOF AREA. *NM

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 8, 2006NY

I WAS STRUCK HEAD ON IN MY 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE BY A BMW SUV WHO WAS TRAVELING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION ON A POSTED ONE WAY STREET. I WAS PUSHED UP THE BLOCK AND SPUN 90 DEGREES ON TO A SIDE STREET. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT OF MY CAR WAS CRUSHED I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CERVICAL SPRAIN. MY ECLIPSE WAS DECLARED "A TOTAL LOSS" BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I AM VERY CONCERNED SINCE MY OTHER CAR THAT MY WIFE DRIVES WITH MY 2 YOUNG CHILDREN IS ALSO A MITSUBISHI. WHEN I CALLED MITSUBISHI FOR A NAME AND ADDRESS OF SOMEONE THAT I COULD CORRESPOND WITH, I WAS TRANSFERRED TO 3 DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND WAS TOLD TO SEND MY LETTER TO THEIR GENERAL CUSTOMER SERVICE PO BOX. I HAVE READ THROUGH MY OWNERS MANUAL CAREFULLY AND IT SAYS THAT THE BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE LANGUAGE IN THE MANUAL IS VERY VAGUE. *JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 28, 2006TX

I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE CORROSION OF MY PAINT ON MY 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE; I BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS IN EARLY 2005 (JUST A LITTLE OVER A YEAR OF OWNING THE BRAND NEW VEHICLE.) WHILE MY COMPLAINT DOES NOT INVOLVE A SAFETY ISSUE, IT DOES INVOLVE FALSE REPRESENTATION OF THE PRODUCT AND EXPECTATIONS. SEVERAL WEBSITES CONTAIN HUNDREDS OF OTHER INDIVIDUALS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME SITUATION. I HAVE ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE WITH MY MITSUBISHI DEALER AND WAS TURNED AWAY SINCE I HAD EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE ACCORDING TO MY WARRANTY. I DO KNOW THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IF I KNEW THE PAINT WAS SO CHEAPLY DONE OR MANUFACTURED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS ON THE PAINT OR IF THERE ARE ANY CLASS ACTION SUITS AGAINST MITSUBISHI. WHILE SUCH ITEMS AS PAINT AND TIRES ARE CONSIDERED "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR", ONE WOULD NOT EXPECT THEIR TIRES TO BLOW OUT JUST DAYS AFTER LEAVING A DEALERSHIP JUST AS THE PAINT SHOULD LAST UNTIL I AT LEAST COMPLETE THE FINANCING PERIOD. AGAIN, THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE OVERALL VEHICLE HAVE NOT BEEN MET, EVEN WITH NORMAL UPKEEP OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW OF ANY INFORMATION THAT CAN BE OFFERED. *JB

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jun 12, 2006MA

AFTER MY PURCHASE OF A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GTS, AT IRA NISSAN IN TEWKSBURY MASS. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH IT INCLUDING A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I POSSESSED THE CAR FOR A DAY AND A HALF AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NOW EVER SINCE. IT HAS BEEN ABOUT TWELVE DAYS NOW. I HAVE BEEN GOING BACK AND FOURTH BETWEEN IRA AND A MITSUBISHI DEALER WHICH THEY ARE AFFILIATED WITH. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR IS WHERE THE TRANSMISSION IS. THE NOISE WHICH SOUNDS LIKE ROCKS FLYING AROUND IN THE FRONT. THE DEALER SAID THIS NOISE IS NORMAL. THE IRA GENERAL MANAGER ALSO TOLD ME THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR MY CAR TO GO UP TO THE H ON THE HOT AND COLD GAUGE. HE SAID HIS DOES IT ALL THE TIME. IRA SAID THAT THIS ISSUE WAS FIXED. I HAVE NOT SEEN NOR DRIVEN THE CAR YET SINCE I BROUGHT IT BACK SO I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS FIXED AND WHAT IS NOT FIXED. I CALLED THE MITSUBISHI MOTORS HEADQUARTERS IN TEXAS, AND GAVE THEN MY VIN NUMBER AND THEY SAID THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION OF THIS SPECIFIC CAR, NOR SHOULD THIS NOISE BE OCCURRING. I ALSO WENT ON SAFERCAR.GOV AND THEY TOO SAID THE ONLY RECALL ON THIS CAR IS ABOUT LIGHTS. I ALSO CALLED IRA 3 DAYS AGO AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY LOST MY TITLE AND I CAN'T REGISTER MY CAR EITHER. NOW I NEED SOME INFORMATION ON MY OPTIONS AND WHERE TO GO FROM HERE. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 2, 2006TX

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 40 MPH AND LET UP ON THE GAS PEDAL BEFORE I WAS GOING TO BRAKE. THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND WOULDN'T STOP. COMING TO A RED LIGHT I STARTED TO PRESS FIRMLY ON MY BRAKES AND WHILE IT MANAGED TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN SOME IT WOULDN'T COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I SLOWED DOWN JUST ENOUGH WAYS BACK FROM THE LIGHT THAT WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I WAS ABLE TO LET UP ON THE BRAKE WITH OUT GOING INTO TRAFFIC. IT THEN ACCELERATED VERY QUICKLY AGAIN. THE CAR SOUNDED AS IF IT SHIFTED AND STOP ACCELERATING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN A WAYS IN FRONT OF THE LIGHT I DIDN'T HIT ANYONE WHILE THEIR LIGHT WAS GREEN. I HAD CARS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF ME THAT I WASN'T ABLE TO GET OVER. *JB

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Jun 2, 2006NY

SERVICE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO POP HOOD FOR SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE. APPARENTLY THE HOOD RELEASE CABLE BROKE OR CAME LOOSE FROM THE HOOD LATCH RELEASE MECHANISM. TECHNICIAN SUGGESTED TO TAKE TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY MAY BE MORE FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE HOOD AND STATED THAT FRONT BUMPER PROBABLY WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED BY CUTTING IT OFF TO ACCESS THE STUCK HOOD LATCH. THIS WOULD BE A $400 MINIMUM REPAIR, NOT INCLUDING THE OIL CHANGE, WHICH THE OWNER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR. *NM

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed May 23, 200677,992 milesAZ

SUN ROOF EXPLODED AND SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY ON A CLEAR NIGHT, NO ROCKS ON THE ROAD WAY, AND ONE VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY HALF A MILE AHEAD WHEN MY GLASS SHATTERED. WHEN THE CLOSED SUN ROOF EXPLODED AND SHATTERED IT SOUNDED LIKE A SOMETHING FELL FROM THE SKY ON THE ROOF OF MY VEHICLE, I PULLED OVER TO CHECK WHAT HAD HAPPENED, BUT THERE WAS ONLY THE SHATTERED GLASS ALL OVER THE ROOF AND TRUNK OF MY CAR. I INSPECTED THE SHATTERED GLASS LAYING ON THE ROOF, INTERIOR SLIDE AND TRUNK OF MY VEHICLE FOR ANYTHING THAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE SUN ROOF SHATTER, YET THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS DAMAGE. FORTUNATELY THE INTERIOR ROOF SLIDE WAS CLOSED, STOPPING THE EXPLODING SHATTERED GLASS FROM INJURING MY DAUGHTER AND I SITTING IN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS BELOW THE SUN ROOF. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY DEFECT WHICH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY AND/OR DEATH IF THE INTERIOR ROOF SLIDE IS NOT CLOSED. *JB

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed May 22, 200641,000 milesGA

AIR CONDITIONING REFRIGERANT PIPE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT IS ALMOST SITTING ON TOP OF THE RADIATOR BRACKET AND MOVES ONTO THE BRACKET WITH NORMAL VIBRATIONS OF THE CAR. THE AIR HAS BEEN SLOWLY GETTING WARMER UNTIL IT FINALLY QUIT ALTOGETHER; I WAS TOLD THAT ANYONE COULD HAVE MOVED THE PIPE OVER AND CAUSED IT TO BE ON THE BRACKET. *JB

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Apr 24, 200636,800 milesOK

AT APPROXIMATELY 36,500 MILES OR SO NOTICED THE CAR NOT WANTING TO "GRIP" ON TAKE OFF. SEEMED TO WANT TO REV HIGHER RANDOMLY.. OVER A PERIOD OF 2 DAYS WENT FROM NO BIG DEAL TO NOT BEING ABLE TO DRIVE. I HAVE HAD PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS (2 OTHER PERSONAL VEHICLES ). I CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND WARRANTY PROVIDER TO FIND OUT THIS IS NORMAL AND CONSIDERED WEAR AND TEAR. HAVE BEEN PRICED UPWARDS OF 1000 USD IF NOT MORE TO REPLACE THIS CLUTCH. AND I JUST GOT THIS CAR. *JB

Steering
Filed Apr 13, 200637,946 milesCT

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND WENT TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN BUT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY TIGHT AND HARD TO TURN. WAS ABLE TO MAKE TURN. BROUGHT CAR BACK TO DEALER THAT DAY. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT BUT DECIDED TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING POWER. *NM

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Dec 1, 200519,000 milesPA

I BOUGHT MY CAR IN OCTOBER OF 2003 AND IMMEDIATELY I NOTICED A GRINDING COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I TOOK IT INTO LANCASTER MITSUBISHI IN PENNSYLVANIA AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A COMMON TRANS NOISE. A COUPLE OF WEEKS PASSED BY AND THE NOISE KEPT GETTING LOUDER AND NOW MY CLUTCH IS SLIPPING. I HAVE NEVER BEAT OR RACED MY CAR. IT IS ONE OF THE BEST CARS I HAVE EVER OWNED AND THE ONE OF THE MOST RELIABLE. I DON'T HAVE MUCH CHOICE TO KEEP DRIVING IT THE WAY IT IS AND IT IS GETTING WORSE. PRETTY SOON I WILL BE OUT OF A CAR. *NM

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Nov 17, 200523,000 milesCA

I HAVE A 2003 MITUBISHI ECLIPSE WITH 23,000 MILES ON IT AND THE CLUTCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ALREADY, IN THE MORNING THE FRONT WHEELS JUMP AND SHIFTING INTO 1ST AND 2ND GEAR IS A NIGHTMARE ! *NM

Tires
Filed Nov 4, 2005VA

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE TIRE ON THE LEFT REAR SIDE BLEW OUT. SHE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT WITH THE SAME TYPE OF TIRE TWICE. THESE WERE THE ORIGINAL TIRES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. SHE DID NOT HAVE TIRE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER. THEY HAVE A HISTORY REPORT ON THE VEHICLE.

Wheels › Rim
Filed Oct 10, 2005OH

I HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GTS. IT HAS ABOUT 75,000 MILES ON IT NOW. I HAVE NOW BENT 4 WHEELS ON THIS MODEL. THEY KEEP BLAMING IT ON ME, SAYING ITS MY DRIVING, BUT AFTER THE FOURTH TIME, I KNOW IT IS NOT ME. I SHOULD NOT BE REGULARLY BENDING WHEELS ON A CAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE VAST MAJORITY OF MY DRIVING IS HIGHWAY DRIVING. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 7, 20055,000 milesNY

DT: THE CALLER SAID THAT HIS VEHICLE IS MAKING A NOISE. WHEN ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE CHANGES GEARS HARD AND HE DID NOT KNOW IF IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION OR THE MOTOR MOUNTS. THE PROBLEM OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35 TO 40 MPH. RIGHT AFTER HAVING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED. HE HAD THE MOTOR MOUNTS CHANGED 8 TIMES. THE DEALER DID NOT REMOVE THE BATTERY TO GET TO THE MOTOR MOUNT, BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY DID. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. *AK *MR

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Aug 15, 200540,000 milesFL

DT: THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE THEN ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER., THEY CONFIRMED THAT CLUTCH COLLAPSED THAT CONTROLS THE CLUTCH HYDRAULICS. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 11, 2005. THIS IS BASED ON A POLICE REPORT BECAUSE SHE ACTUALLY SAW THAT THE CLUTCH WAS DOWN. *AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Aug 9, 200532,000 milesOH

2003 ECLIPSE EMITS RATTLE FROM THE CLUTCH/TRANSAXLE SINCE ABOUT 30000 MILES. *JB

Visibility
Filed Aug 8, 200529,500 milesDC

I GOT IN MY CAR TO GO SOMEWHERE, SHUT THE DOOR, AND THE SUNROOF COMPLETELY SHATTERS. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP (AN ACTUAL MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP AS OPPOSED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE WHICH WAS A CHEVY DEALERSHIP) WHERE THE MANAGER SAID HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS AND THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE COVERED BY WARRANTY BECAUSE IF IT WERE FAULTY GLASS THEN IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED MUCH SOONER. I RESPONDED BY ASKING IF THAT IS TRUE, THEN ALL OTHER WARRANTY ISSUES HAPPEN RIGHT AWAY AND NOT OVER TIME? IF SO, THEN WHY HAVE WARRANTIES THAT LAST FOR YEARS? HE SEEMED UPSET THAT I WOULD QUESTION HIM ABOUT IT AND SAID THAT EVEN IF I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT IT WOULD NOT BE REPLACED BY THE COMPANY UNDER WARRANTY. I ALSO BROUGHT TO HIS ATTENTION THE LIABILITY ISSUED ASSOCIATED WITH SHATTERING SUNROOFS THAT COULD BE SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF BRIDGESTONE/FORD. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FIND SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES DATING BACK TO THE EARLY 90'S WITH THE 3000GT. HOW CAN I GET THE COMPANY TO REPLACE THIS? *NM

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Jul 19, 200530,400 milesPA

I BOUGHT MY 2003 ECLIPSE GT IN MARCH OF 2004. AT APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES TWO BULGES SUDDENLYAPPEARED ON LEFT SIDE FRONT AND REAR TIRES (ONE BULGE ON EACH). WHEN THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE GOODYEAR RETAILER I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE RESULT OF RUNNING OVER POT HOLES. HOWEVER, THE POSITION OF THE BULGES DOESN'T SUGGEST SO. THE TIRES ARE GOODYEAR RSAS WHICH CAME STOCK ON THE CAR. THE TIRE SIZE IS P215/VR17.

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Jun 10, 200530,000 milesND

DT: IT IS A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING, CAUSING THE CAR TO QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 2, 200533,000 milesCT

THE CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME HE HAS TAKEN IT TO THE MITSUBISHI DEALER APPROX. 4 MONTHS AGO AND THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO HAVE REPLACED THE ENGINE.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly
Filed Apr 6, 2005TX

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. WITHOUT WARNING. DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND IT WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator PedalCrash
Filed Mar 22, 200542,000 milesFL

THIS COMPLAINT INVOLVES OUR 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN PARK IN FRONT OF A BUILDING. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE RPMS INCREASED TO THE MAXIMUM LEVEL, THE TIRES BEGAN TO SPIN AND THE CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED INTO A BRICK SUPPORT POLE. THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Mar 10, 2005SC

WHILE DRIVING LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. THE TREAD WHICH SEPARATED WRAPPED AROUND THE AXLE. VEHICLE VIBRATED IN THE REAR. CURRENTLY, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS EXPERIENCING THREAD SEPARATION. CONSUMER REPLACED THE TWO FRONT TIRES. TIRES: RESPONSE, RST TOURING 2000, DOT 3DT2 1, LBW 3500-A14R-31138, 021 1803, E4, 89T P205/55R16, M + S, MOUNTD ONLY ON 16" RIMS. *AK

TiresCrash
Filed Jan 14, 20055,004 milesNY

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE EXPLODED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE WENT INTO A SPIN AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER IN HIS POSSESSION. *TC

Steering
Filed Dec 29, 200434,530 milesNC

I AM FILING A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE STEERING MECHANISM IN MY 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GT - ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2004 - I WAS GOING HOME FROM WORK AND MY STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME STIFF AND I WAS ALMOST UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR ENOUGH TO GET TO MY HOME. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE INTERMITTENT. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY AND I CALLED MITSUBISHI WHO HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. I HAVE NOT GOTTEN MY CAR BACK AND IT IS STILL IN THE SHOP; HOWEVER, I FIND THIS ISSUE TO BE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE IN TERMS OF CONSUMERS OF THIS PRODUCT. I DID RESEARCH PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS ON YOUR SITE AND SEE THE SAME ISSUE WAS NOTED UNDER THE COMPONENTS OF STEERING WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR FOR THE 2003 ECLIPSE PRODUCT. *NM

Structure
Filed Nov 6, 2004VA

HAVE A 2003 ECLIPSE AND MANY MANY PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASING. AFTER REGULAR SCHEDULED TIRE BALANCE AND ROTATION, TOOK THE CAR BACK BECAUSE OF SHAKING AT 50-60 MPH, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE RIMS WERE BENT, AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, AND THEY DID (RIGHT AFTER BALANCE AND ROTATING? WOULD THEY BALANCE IF THE RIMS WERE BENT?) HAD MY CAR IN NUMEROUS TIMES FOR MOISTURE IN MY WINDOWS WHEN PUTTING THEM DOWN AND BACK UP, A LOT OF MOISTURE AND BAD VISIBILITY, REPLACED STRIPS WHICH HELPED MOLD SMELL, BUT CAN'T FIX THE MOISTURE. B/C OF THE BAD VISIBILITY I AM EXTRA CAREFUL, BUT MY CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. RECENTLY THE MOLDING ON THE WINDSHIELD WAS COMING LOOSE, THE DEALERSHIP FIXED IT (SENT IT TO A WINDOW PLACE) AND SINCE THEN I HAVE A FILM ON MY WINDSHIELD WHICH MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE...I HAVE CLEANED THE GLASS NUMEROUS TIMES, MY WIPERS WERE FAIRLY NEW, MITSBUSHI WOULDN'T LOOK AT IT WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR ANOTHER RIM REPLACEMENT. MY CAR STILL SHAKES, MY WINDOWS AND WINDSHIELD HAVE BAD VISIBILITY PROBLEMS, AND NOW MY SUNROOF BUTTON HAS POPPED OUT AND WILL NOT OPEN UNLESS I HOLD IT IN FIRST. *JB

Structure › Body › Bumpers
Filed Oct 13, 2004PA

PAINT PEELING OFF BUMPER. CLEAR COAT PEELING OFF DRIVERS SIDE ROCKER PANEL. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Sep 20, 2004IL

I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT REGARDING MY MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GTS 2003. THE PRODUCT HAS NOT PERFORMED WELL BECAUSE DURING THE SIX MONTHS THAT I HAVE HAD MY BRAND NEW CAR, I HAD TO BRING IT FOR SEVERAL REPAIRS. FIRST, THE CAR WENT TO THE SHOP AT MITSUBISHI BOSAK CHICAGO FOR A LOOSE BOLT, SECOND THE CAR HAD A LEAK ON THE COOLANT SYSTEM, THIRD THE WHEEL WAS NO LONGER ALIGNED, AND FOURTH THE REAR DEFROSTER DOES NOT DEFROST PROPERLY. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED OF THAT MATTER BECAUSE ONE OF THE REASON I INVESTED MY MONEY IN BUYING A BRAND NEW CAR AND CHOOSING MITSUBISHI SO I DONT HAVE TO SPEND MORE TIME IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR AND SPEND MORE CASH. THE CAR WAS ONLY SIX MONTHS OLD AND ALREADY EXPERIENCING A LOT OF PROBLEMS, NOW THE CAR HAS BEEN A YEAR AND I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO MITSUBISHI BOSAK DEALER TO HAVE THE REAR LIGHT FIXED BECAUSE WATER WAS GOING INSIDE AND STILL WAITING TO HAVE THE SUNROOF TO BE FIX BECAUSE IT DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY AND THE AXLE OF THE CAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACE. THEY WOULDNT REPLACE IT RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE ITEM TO BE DELIVERED. WHAT IF DURING THAT TIME OF WAIT SOMETHING HAPPEN TO THE CAR? (MAY GOD FORBID) I HAVE BEFORE TRY TO COMPLAIN WITH THE MITSUBISHI HEADQUARTER IN CALIFORNIA, BUT THE PERSON WOULDNT DO ANYTHING. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE OF MY CAR. I THINK THAT THE COMPANY SHOULD CHECK THEIR ENTIRE PRODUCT BEFORE SELLING IT TO THE PUBLIC. DRIVING MY ECLIPSE IS SOMETHING THAT I FEAR BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW SOMETHIN

Power Train › Clutch AssemblyCrash2 injured
Filed Sep 4, 200411,940 milesFL

I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE CAR BESIDES HAVING TO TAKE IT IN WITHIN LIKE 3 MONTHS TO REPLACE A DEFFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE AM A PERSON THAT HAVE BEEN IN MANY CLOSE ACCIDENT CALLS THROUGHOUT MY LIFE SO I AM NOT A PERSON WHO TAKES THE CAR TO THE LIMIT WHATSOEVER. I HAVE HAD DEFECTIVE CARS ALL MY LIFE. MY FIRST CAR I WAS IN A NEAR DEATH CALL IN MY FIRST ACCIDENT WHEN A MAN IN A RUSH DECIDED TO TRY TO PASS ME WHILE I WAS DOING A U-TURN. MY SECOND I BOUGHT FOR $4000 AND PUT OVER 2K IN IT TRYING TO GET IT FIXED AND RUNNING. MY THIRD CAR I BOUGHT WAS A TOYOTA CAMRY. IT WAS A GREAT CAR BUT ALSO HAD TO PUT $1,500 INTO A CAR I BOUGHT FOR ONLY LIK 5K, WHEN THE MANUFACTURER TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDNT FIX THE PROBLEM AND I HAD WASTED EVERY DIME I HAD ON THIS CAR. MY LAST AND PRESENT CAR IS MY 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GT. MY MOTHER DIDN'T LIKE ALL THE PROBLEMS I WAS HAVING WITH ALL OF MY PREVIOUS CARS, SO WHEN I RECEIVED AN ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP TO ANY SCHOOL IN FLORIDA SHE WENT OUT AND BOUGHT ME THE ECLIPSE. TO GET BACK TO THE PROBLEM AT HAND, AT 10,000 MILES I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CLUTCH. THE CAR WILL SEVERELY JERK WHEN SWITCHING GEARS EVERY TIME I START THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR INTO MY LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY WHICH DIDN'T MAKE SENSE. THE CAR WAS UNDER 12K MILES AND I THOUGHT THERE WAS A WARRANTY UP TILL THEN. ANYWAYS, I AM NOT THE PERSON TO ARGUE SO I SAID "OK" AND WENT ON MY WAY. WEL

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Aug 24, 20042,000 milesNJ

MY 2003 ECLIPSE GTS HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR ABOUT 10 DIFFERENT THINGS IN A MATTER OF 8 MONTHS. 4 SEPERATE TIMES I HAD BROUGHT IT IN FOR A JERKING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WAS THE MATTER AND IT WAS FINE. FINALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEY THEN INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANSMISION NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. IT WORKED FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS. ALSO 20 DAYS AFTER BUYING THE CAR MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FUEL PUMP AND SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. 4 TIMES I HAVE ALSO BROUGHT THE CAR IN BECUASE WHEN THE SUNROOF OPENS IT JERKS REALLY BAD. EVERY TIME I WENT THERE ALL THEY DID WAS GREASE IT AND IT STILL DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. AT 17,000 THE POWER MIRROR ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND THAT WAS REPLACED. TODAY 8/23/04 AT 20,000 I JUST DROPPED IT OFF FOR THE SUNROOF (AGAIN) AND INFORMED THEM MY WHEEL SHOOK WHILE BRAKING AND WAS JUST NOTIFIED THAT MY ROTORS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE COST TO ME WAS $200.00 FOR A CAR WITH 20,000 MILES AND 1 YEAR OLD. MITSUBISHI STATES THEY HAVE THE BEST BACKED CARS BUT WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT THEY DO NOT BACK THIER CARS UP WHEN IT MATTERS.*AK

Structure
Filed Jul 22, 20045,000 milesNC

WATER LEAKS IN FROM VENT WHEN GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH, NEVER REPAIRED. *JB

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Jun 28, 2004IL

WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY ON A CLEAR DAY, NO CONSTRUCTION, NO TRUCKS IN SIGHT, NOT GOING UNDER AN OVERPASS - MY SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODES! THE SUNROOF HAD ONLY BEEN PARTIALLY OPEN, AND THE INTERIOR SLIDE WAS ONLY OPENED JUST SLIGHTLY. THIS WAS LUCKY, OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOWERED WITH GLASS. EVEN THOUGH IT SCARED THE HECK OUT OF ME, I WAS ABLE TO KEEP MY VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. I HAVE RESEARCHED WINDOW EXPLOSIONS ON ECLIPSES AND FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. WHAT CAN I DO AND CAN I GET THE DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR DUE TO DEFECT?*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Jun 18, 2004FL

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER SMELLED STRONG CHEMICAL FUMES INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

Wheels › Rim
Filed Jun 1, 20049,800 milesOH

BULGE ON FRONT TIRE OF 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GTS. TIRE IS A GOODYEAR RSA P215/50 R17. LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON TIRE WHEN BULGE APPEARED. BOTH MITSUBISHI AND GOODYEAR BLAMED DEFECT ON ME AND OFFERED NO COMPENSATION. ALSO HAVE TWO BENT ORIGINAL RIMS ON CAR. THE RIMS AND TIRES ON THE ECLIPSE HAVE A POOR HISTORY AND SAFETY RATING. *AK

Power Train › Clutch Assembly › Pedal/Hand Lever(motorcycle)
Filed Jun 1, 20045,800 milesOH

I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR AND YESTERDAY I NOTICED A GRINDING SOUND WHEN I LET OUT THE CLUTCH TO START THE CAR. I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE CLUTCH DISK THAT WAS GONE AND THEFORE PROBABLY MY FLYWHEEL TOO. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THIS WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AS IT WAS CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. *AK

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed May 25, 200412,000 milesNC

THE CLUTCH FAILED AFTER ONLY 12,000 MILES. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HOT RODDED BUT THE DRIVER STATED THAT SHE WAS AN EXPERIENCED MANUAL TRANSMISSION DRIVER. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THE CLUTCH WAS SLIPPING. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Mar 29, 2004NJ

I PRUCHASED A 2003 ECLIPSE IN MAY 2002 AND NOW THE COATING ON MY HEADLIGHTS IS CRACKING. *AK

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Feb 6, 2004150 milesAZ

WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW IS IN THE FULL UPWARD POSITION, THE DOOR IS HARD TO OPEN/CLOSE; THE GLASS GETS STUCK IN THE WINDOW MOLDING. TOOK TO DEALER, WHO REPLACED WINDOW MOLDING, BUT REALLY DIDN'T WORK. WILL TAKE BACK TO DEALER. SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN PROBLEM. *AK

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Feb 2, 200424,460 milesVA

AFTER DRIVING 65 MPH THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE HOOD TO SEE ALL THE INSULATION SMOLDERING. ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL WIRES WERE ALSO MELTED. THE DEALER IS EXAMINING THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *NM

Exterior Lighting › Fog Lights
Filed Jan 18, 2004200 milesTX

HI, I BOUGHT MY ECLIPSE IN SEPTEMBER 2003 AND A MONTH LATER ONE OF MY EXTERNAL FOG LIGHTS BROKE WITHOUT ANY REASON, I WENT TO THE DEALER AND TOLD ME THAT MUST BE A ROCK HITTING THE FOG LIGHT AND THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NEW CAR WARRANTY, ALSO TOLD ME THE PRICE FOR REPLACEMENT WAS $160.00 WHICH IT SEEMS TO ME A RIDICULOUS PRICE FOR A FOG LIGHT SO I WENT BACK THINKING WAS MY BAD LUCK IT HAPPEN TO ME, NOW HERE I AM A YEAR AND HALF AFTER THE INCIDENT WITH MY FOG LIGHT STILL BROKEN SINCE I HAVE HAD NOT THE MONEY TO REPLACE IT. BUT NOW I AM SEEING A LOT OWNERS WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM THAT MINE AND I THINK THOSE FOG LIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NOT COST TO THE OWNER. *CB

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 15, 2004NC

WE BOUGHT A 2003 ECLIPSE FROM SUN COAST MIS. RIGHT AWAY WE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SMELL OF MOLD. FINALLY WE TOOK THE CAR IN ON A RAINY DAY AND MY WIFE GOT OUT OF THE BACK SEAT TOTALLY WET. THEY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM, BUT WE WERE BACK AGAIN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS LAST TIME WE TOOK THE CAR IN WE COULD SMELL MOLD AGAIN. THEY FOUND ANOTHER LEAK AT THE FIRE WALL ON THE PASS. SIDE. WE LIVE 66 MILES AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE HAD OUR CAR FOR REPAIRS OVER 30 DAYS. WE HAVE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR LIKE PAINT CHIPS ON THE HOOD, SIDE MIRROW HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE RADIO CD HAD TO BE FIXED AND OTHER THINGS.

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jan 2, 200420,000 milesIL

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAUSING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER DRIVER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER IMPACTED THE STEERING WHEEL.*AK

Structure
Filed Dec 31, 200337 milesMS

WHEN THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE, IT WAS HARD TO SEE OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED WITH THE BACK SETTING TO HIGH UP. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB *MR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse → · Every Eclipse year → · How the figures are calculated →