2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Routine

Owners filed 14 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 5 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Structure › Body2
100
Structure2
001
Service Brakes2
100
Air Bags2
202
Structure › Body › Door1
000
Steering › Column Locking › Anti-theft Device1
101
Steering1
000
Service Brakes, Air › Controls › Hand Control/Valve1
100
Fuel/Propulsion System1
000
Electrical System1
010

5 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 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.

Equipment › Other › Labels04V428000
Filed Sep 1, 2004100,432 vehiclesMitsubishi Caribbean

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings04V312000
Filed Jun 29, 2004834 vehiclesMitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

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

Risk. BREAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A LEAKAGE OF FUEL AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, IT COULD RESULT A FIRE.

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

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump03V442000
Filed Nov 4, 200317,087 vehiclesMitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Sep 20, 2021FL

Electrical cable for Fuel Pump caught fire. My daughter was able to park and exit the car safely before it combusted but it took 8 minutes for the car to basically explode. I think this is very dangerous for a family with kids or someone that wouldn't be as fast as my kid to get out of the car. We found out the same car/year has a recall but this was not issued to my specific vehicle. https://www.kbb.com/mitsubishi/eclipse/2004/recall/ I requested Mitsubishi Motors to check the car and give me compensation and they denied. We have a case number with them. The car showed the check engine light but we changed spark plug cables and alternator. It seemed fine otherwise.

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Sep 14, 2016146,000 milesVA

BRAKES WILL INTERMITTEDLY NOT RESPOND TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. CAR HAS NOW BEEN INVOLVED IN TWO REAR END COLLISIONS IN 3 MONTHS. REPAIR SHOP CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED. CAR WAS GOING 25 MPH BOTH TIMES IN TWO CITIES WHEN THE CAR FAILED TO BRAKE.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed May 10, 2016CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE THAT LED TO THE VEHICLE ROLLING OVER THREE TIMES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WAS ONE INJURY REPORTED THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 6, 201563,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO STOP. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 15V337000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

Structure › BodyCrash
Filed Jul 2, 201383,000 milesMN

ROOMMATE DRIVING MY VEHICLE WITH MYSELF IN PASSENGER SEAT. STRUCK A DEAR MONDAY MORNING AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH. VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO A DITCH AND ROLLED AT LEAST 1 TIME INTO A MARSH ON LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD. VEHICLE RECEIVED MAJOR: FRONT, BOTH SIDE, REAR AND ROOF DAMAGE. NOT ONE AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 12, 201298,000 milesMI

MY MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPUTTERS AND DIES WHEN THERE IS LESS THAN 1/2 TANK FUEL. MITSUBISHI 2004 HAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE. MITSUBISHI CLAIMS MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED ON A DIFFERENT PRODUCTION LINE, THEREFORE, IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. REALLY? *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 28, 200936,000 milesHI

I HAVE A 2004 BLACK MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE THAT THE PAINT HAS BEEN FALLING OFF OF, JUST LIKE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS. THE PAINT STARTED DELAMINATING ABOUT 3YEARS AGO AND JUST PROGRESSED FROM THERE. THE CAR LOOKS HORRIBLE! MITSUBISHI HAS BEEN DOWNRIGHT RUDE RE: THIS MATTER. THEY WILL NOT FIX THE PAINT ISSUE DUE TO CAR BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

Structure
Filed Sep 7, 200940,000 milesHI

CLEARCOAT PEELING OFF MITSUBISHI-DEFECTIVE PAINT. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 19, 2009CA

PROBLEM: HARNESS. EVERY TIME I LIFT THE STEERING WHEEL UP, THE ENGINE TURNS OFF. I HAVE TRIED TO GO TO THE MITSUBISHI DEALER AND TO HONDA SIERRA WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR (USED) AND THEY DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. I WAS LIKE A TENNIS BALL, SO, I GOT TIRED OF IT. I EVEN SEND A LETTER TO HONDA SIERRA TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I BOUGHT IF DEFECTIVE. UNFORTUNATELY, I DID NOT GET A RESPONSE. REPAIR COST MORE THAN 300 DOLLARS. I DON'T HAVE MONEY YET, AND IM STILL HOPEFUL THAT EITHER OF THE TWO PARTIES ARE WILLING TO WORK WITH THE PROBLEM. *TR

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Jan 27, 2006450 milesMI

ON SECOND DAY OF OWNERSHIP I HEARD A VERY LOUD METAL CRACKING SOUND WHILE SITTING IN THE CAR PREPARING TO DRIVE. CAR WAS NOT STARTED OR MOVING). UPON INSPECTION THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DEFECT. ABOUT A WEEK LATER I HAD AN IDENTICAL EXPERIENCE. THIS TIME I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE BODY SEAM LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE DOOR WOULD NO LONGER CLOSE PROPERLY , AND I IMMEDIATELY SCHEDULED A REPAIR APPOINTMENT. THE DEALERSHIP ADJUSTED THE DOOR AND ASSURED ME THAT THE CRACK IN THE FRAME WAS ONLY COSMETIC. THE CRACK WAS FILLED AND PAINTED AND SEEMS TO BE HOLDING, BUT THERE IS A LEAK IN THE DOOR THAT LEAVES WATER ON THE DOOR SILL PLATE EVERY TIME IT RAINS OR I WASH THE CAR. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING ADDITIONAL REPAIRS FOR THAT NOW.*AK

Structure1 injured
Filed Oct 29, 200523,000 milesME

THE RUBBERS ON MY 2004 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER IS ALWAYS LEAKING WATER INTO THE CAR, CREATING A MOLD SMELL, DESTROYING THE SPEAKERS, ECT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THEM ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO OR LESS, AND THEY ARE LEAKING AGAIN ON THE CONVERTIBLE TOP, MAKING MY SEAT BELT WET, WHICH I BELIEVE IS A HAZARD IF IN A ACCIDENT, MY SEAT, AND FLOORS, NOT TO MENTION IT IS LEAKING INTO THE DOOR PANELS. MY SON HAS FALLEN OUT OF THE CAR SLIPPING ON THE WATER ON THE DOOR PANEL, NOT THAT HE NEEDED A AMBULANCE BUT GOT A FAT LIP WHEN HE PUT HIS TEETH INTO THEM WHEN HE FELL, ALSO GETTING A BRUISED LEG. *JB

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 24, 2005OH

MY MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER 2004 [XXX], DONE NEARLY 21,000 MILES MET WITH AN ACCIDENT ON JULY 25, 2005. IT VEERED OFF THE ROAD, WENT DOWNHILL FOR OVER TWENTY FEET AND COLLIDED HEAD-ON WITH A TREE TO COME TO A HALT. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. DESPITE THE FRONT-ENDED CRASH, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO INFLATE. THE SEVERITY OF THE CRASH IS EVIDENT FROM THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CATEGORIZED AS A "TOTAL LOSS" BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I BELIEVE THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT. UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Service Brakes, Air › Controls › Hand Control/ValveCrash
Filed Jul 7, 20057,600 milesCO

CAR WAS PARKED WITH EBRAKE PULLED UPWARDS TO HOLD CAR IN PLACE. THE 04 ECLIPSE GT ROLLED BACKWARDS OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT AND JUMPED THE CURB HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. 04 ECLIPSE TAKEN TO MITSUBISHI ON 7/7/05 AND THEY ADJUSTED THE EBREAK SAYING TI WAS LOOSE.

Steering › Column Locking › Anti-theft DeviceCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 16, 200410,000 milesMD

WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH AND TRYING TO GO AROUND ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE STEERING LOCKED. THIS WAS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED, CAUSING A COLLISION. *AK ........DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK

14 of 14 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20128000Routine
20111000Routine
20101000Routine
200942100Routine
200871100Routine
2007107411Fatalities reported
200699400Routine
20056420Routine
2004 — this page14510Routine
2003124540Routine
200273440Routine
20012091062Fatalities reported
20003081064Fatalities reported
19991201130Routine
19981291350Routine
19971361261Fatalities reported
19961591150Routine
19953071292Fatalities reported
199434410Routine
199336410Routine
199249311Fatalities reported
199154420Routine
199046700Routine

Compare every Eclipse year →

Reading this record

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.