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2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Eclipse years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse are substantially higher than the model-year median of 49.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

80 reports with mileage · 129 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Wheels. Review the 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

24 crash reports6 fire reports12 injury reports

Structure complaints

21 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2008
Structure

CRACKED DASHBOARD. MANY MANY MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR (2000-2005)

NHTSA ODI #10251255

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2008
Structure

1. EVERY TIME IT RAINS THERE IS A LARGE ACCUMULATION OF WATER LEAKING FROM FRONT WINDOW/FRONT VENTS EVERY RAINFALL ON FRONT FLOOR BOARDS; 2. EVERY RAINFALL, SOAKS CARPET FLOOR BOARDS THROUGH TO BOTTOM FRAME OF CAR; 3. MANY, MANY THICK TOWELS ON FRONT FLOOR BOARDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10245382

90,000 miles · Aug 19, 2008
Structure

MY 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE HAS STARTED CRACKING DOWN THE DASH AND IS GETTING INCREASINGLY WORSE ALL THE TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10238903

30,000 miles · Jul 31, 2008
Electrical SystemStructureUnknown Or Other

I'VE PREVIOUSLY OWNED 2 ECLIPSES W/ NO PROBLEMS, THIS ONE HOWEVER HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A LEMON. 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GT V6. IN ADDITION TO THE CLUTCH WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED 1 YR AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED, I HAVE HAD AN ABUNDANCE OF PROBLEMS W/ PARTS THAT SHOULD NEVER NEED TO BE REPLACED, NONE HAVE BEEN COVERED BY WARRANTY. …

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I'VE PREVIOUSLY OWNED 2 ECLIPSES W/ NO PROBLEMS, THIS ONE HOWEVER HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A LEMON. 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GT V6. IN ADDITION TO THE CLUTCH WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED 1 YR AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED, I HAVE HAD AN ABUNDANCE OF PROBLEMS W/ PARTS THAT SHOULD NEVER NEED TO BE REPLACED, NONE HAVE BEEN COVERED BY WARRANTY. I HAVE REPLACED EVERY SWAY BAR TWICE, THE A/C FAILED, THE ANTENNA EMBEDDED IN THE REAR WINDOW FAILED, ONE OXYGEN SENSOR, THE MIDDLE REAR BRAKE LIGHT WIRING BROKE, 2 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS FAILED. AND THE WORST IS I WAS GOING THROUGH A HEADLIGHT A MONTH ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT THE HEADLIGHTS HAD ACTUALLY MELTED THE TO THE CONNECTORS ON BOTH SIDES! AND NOW I MAY HAVE AN ELECTRICAL FAULT OR FAULTY VALVE IN MY A/C UNIT CAUSING MY HEAT TO KICK ON WHEN THE A/C IS TURNED ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10236568

88,000 miles · Jul 22, 2008
Structure

DASH CRACKED IN HALF (DEGRADATION). I FOUND THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO ALMOST EVERYBODY WITH THE MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE (MINE IS A 2001). MITSUBISHI WILL NOT ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10235408

43,000 miles · Mar 21, 2008
Structure

I HAVE A 2001 BLACK ECLIPSE GT...BOUGHT BRAND NEW IN JAN. 01. AT 43,000 MILES ALL TOP SURFACE AREAS WERE SHOWING SIGNS OF PAINT PULLING FROM THE PRIMER...AT 53,000 MILES THE ROOF WAS DOWN TO THE METAL...TOOK ME MONTHS TO GET MITS. TO HANDLE. THEY ONLY WOULD PAINT THE AFFECTED SURFACES? THEN 20,000 THE REST OF THE SURFACES BECA…

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I HAVE A 2001 BLACK ECLIPSE GT...BOUGHT BRAND NEW IN JAN. 01. AT 43,000 MILES ALL TOP SURFACE AREAS WERE SHOWING SIGNS OF PAINT PULLING FROM THE PRIMER...AT 53,000 MILES THE ROOF WAS DOWN TO THE METAL...TOOK ME MONTHS TO GET MITS. TO HANDLE. THEY ONLY WOULD PAINT THE AFFECTED SURFACES? THEN 20,000 THE REST OF THE SURFACES BECAME AFFECTED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND SAID THEY WERE NOT COVERING THESE ISSUES ANYMORE??IF IT WAS ESTABLISHED AS A DEFECT IT SHOULD BE COVERED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10221943

29,000 miles · Jun 4, 2007
Structure

MY BLACK 2001 ECLIPSE GT PAINT IS FAILING. IT BEGAN AS A SMALL WHITE SMUDGE LOOKING SPOT ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR, BUT HAS SPREAD TO THE ENTIRE HOOD, ROOF AND TRUNK. THE PAINT SEEMS TO JUST BREAK DOWN FROM INSIDE. IT'S NOT CRACKING BUT IS CHANGING COLOR FROM BLACK TO WHITE LIKE THE SUN IS BLEACHING IT OUT. IT LOOKS AS IF ACID OR B…

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MY BLACK 2001 ECLIPSE GT PAINT IS FAILING. IT BEGAN AS A SMALL WHITE SMUDGE LOOKING SPOT ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR, BUT HAS SPREAD TO THE ENTIRE HOOD, ROOF AND TRUNK. THE PAINT SEEMS TO JUST BREAK DOWN FROM INSIDE. IT'S NOT CRACKING BUT IS CHANGING COLOR FROM BLACK TO WHITE LIKE THE SUN IS BLEACHING IT OUT. IT LOOKS AS IF ACID OR BLEACH HAD BEEN POURED ON MY CAR. I'M NOW FORCED TO PAY THOUSANDS TO HAVE IT SANDED DOWN AND REPAINTED, BUT THERE'S NO ALTERNATIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10192410

28,000 miles · Jun 4, 2007
Structure

MY BLACK 2001 ECLIPSE GT PAINT IS FAILING. IT BEGAN AS A SMALL WHITE SMUDGE LOOKING SPOT ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR, BUT HAS SPREAD AT A ALARMING SPEED TO THE ENTIRE HOOD AND THE ROOF AND TRUNK. THE PAINT IN CIRCULAR AREAS SEEMS TO JUST BREAK DOWN FROM INSIDE. IT'S NOT CRACKING OFF BUT IT'S CHANGING COLOR FROM BLACK TO WHITE LIKE T…

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MY BLACK 2001 ECLIPSE GT PAINT IS FAILING. IT BEGAN AS A SMALL WHITE SMUDGE LOOKING SPOT ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR, BUT HAS SPREAD AT A ALARMING SPEED TO THE ENTIRE HOOD AND THE ROOF AND TRUNK. THE PAINT IN CIRCULAR AREAS SEEMS TO JUST BREAK DOWN FROM INSIDE. IT'S NOT CRACKING OFF BUT IT'S CHANGING COLOR FROM BLACK TO WHITE LIKE THE SUN IS BLEACHING IT OUT. IT LOOKS AS IF ACID OR BLEACH HAD BEEN POURED ON MY CAR. I'M NOW FORCED TO PAY THOUSANDS TO HAVE IT SANDED DOWN AND REPAINTED, BUT THERE'S NO ALTERNATIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10192408

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2007
Structure

THE CAR IS A 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THERE WERE NO SPECIFIC EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE, BUT THE PAINT ON THE TRUNK AND ROOF OF THE CAR HAS OXIDIZED AND APPEARS TO HAVE DISSOLVED. THE CAR IS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY, AND WE WILL NEED TO HAVE IT REPAINTED ON OUR OWN. BASED UPON MY INTERNET RESEARCH IT APPEARS THAT THIS PROBLEM…

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THE CAR IS A 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THERE WERE NO SPECIFIC EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE, BUT THE PAINT ON THE TRUNK AND ROOF OF THE CAR HAS OXIDIZED AND APPEARS TO HAVE DISSOLVED. THE CAR IS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY, AND WE WILL NEED TO HAVE IT REPAINTED ON OUR OWN. BASED UPON MY INTERNET RESEARCH IT APPEARS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10191541

78,000 miles · Mar 12, 2007
Structure

MY BLACK 2001 ECLIPSE GT PAINT IS FAILING FAST. STARTED AS A SMALL WHITE SMUDGE LOOKING SPOT ON THE HOOD BUT HAS SPREAD AT A ALARMING SPEED TO THE ENTIRE HOOD AND THE ROOF AND TRUNK. THE PAINT IN CIRCULAR AREAS SEEMS TO JUST BREAK DOWN FROM INSIDE. IT'S NOT CRACKING OFF BUT IT'S CHANGING COLOR FROM BLACK TO WHITE LIKE THE SUN IS…

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MY BLACK 2001 ECLIPSE GT PAINT IS FAILING FAST. STARTED AS A SMALL WHITE SMUDGE LOOKING SPOT ON THE HOOD BUT HAS SPREAD AT A ALARMING SPEED TO THE ENTIRE HOOD AND THE ROOF AND TRUNK. THE PAINT IN CIRCULAR AREAS SEEMS TO JUST BREAK DOWN FROM INSIDE. IT'S NOT CRACKING OFF BUT IT'S CHANGING COLOR FROM BLACK TO WHITE LIKE THE SUN IS BLEACHING IT OUT. LOOKS JUST LIKE IF YOU SPILLED BLEACH ON BLUE JEANS. IT HAS SPREAD FROM HOOD TO ROOF TO TRUNK IN 4 MONTHS. I'M TOLD IT WILL HAVE TO BE SANDED DOWN TO BARE METAL TO REMOVE THE FAILING PAINT BEFORE REPAINTING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10184890

Official recalls

7

15V338000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jun 2, 2015

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

04V428000 · Equipment:other:labels

Sep 1, 2004

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

01V069000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Mar 8, 2001

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: 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 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines

Jan 16, 2001

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FLUID LEAKAGE FROM THE COOLER HOSES CAN CAUSE TRANSAXLE DRIVEABILITY PROBLEMS AND SMOKE IF THE OIL CONTACTS THE FRONT EXHAUST PIPE.

Remedy: 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 · Seats

Jan 8, 2001

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

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE REAR ANCHOR BOLTS SECURING THE DRIVER'S SEAT MAY NOT PROPERLY SECURE THE SEAT AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF DRIVER INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: 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.

00V299001 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Oct 2, 2000

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

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: PROLONGED WIRING HARNESS CONTACT WITH THE HEAT SHIELD WILL CAUSE THE WIRING INSULATION TO WEAR AND EVENTUALLY TO GROUND OUT. THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO DIE-OUT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HARNESS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

4

PE05007 · Headlights Failure

Opened Feb 10, 2005 · Closed Jun 8, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights; Exterior Lighting:headlights:concealment Devices

IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT HEADLIGHT CONNECTOR CAN CAUSE INCREASED TERMINAL RESISTANCE AND OVERHEAT THE HEADLIGHT CONNECTOR.THIS PROBLEM CAN AFFECT INDEPENDENTLY EITHER HEADLIGHT BUT DOES NOT CAUSE SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OF BOTH HEADLIGHTS. THE PROBLEM ALSO DOES NOT AFFECT FRONT PARKING LAMPS.AS A RESULT, THE COMPLAINTS TYPICAL REPORT SINGLE FAILURE OF ONE HEADLIGHT.THERE ARE NO CRASHES OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL REPORTED.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:headlights:concealment Devices

IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT HEADLIGHT CONNECTOR CAN CAUSE INCREASED TERMINAL RESISTANCE AND OVERHEAT THE HEADLIGHT CONNECTOR.THIS PROBLEM CAN AFFECT INDEPENDENTLY EITHER HEADLIGHT BUT DOES NOT CAUSE SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OF BOTH HEADLIGHTS. THE PROBLEM ALSO DOES NOT AFFECT FRONT PARKING LAMPS.AS A RESULT, THE COMPLAINTS TYPICAL REPORT SINGLE FAILURE OF ONE HEADLIGHT.THERE ARE NO CRASHES OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL REPORTED.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Exterior Lighting:headlights

IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT HEADLIGHT CONNECTOR CAN CAUSE INCREASED TERMINAL RESISTANCE AND OVERHEAT THE HEADLIGHT CONNECTOR.THIS PROBLEM CAN AFFECT INDEPENDENTLY EITHER HEADLIGHT BUT DOES NOT CAUSE SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OF BOTH HEADLIGHTS. THE PROBLEM ALSO DOES NOT AFFECT FRONT PARKING LAMPS.AS A RESULT, THE COMPLAINTS TYPICAL REPORT SINGLE FAILURE OF ONE HEADLIGHT.THERE ARE NO CRASHES OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL REPORTED.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

EA02007 · Aluminum Alloy Wheel Denting

Opened May 31, 2002 · Closed May 1, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.

PE01044 · Alloy Wheel Denting And Fracturing

Opened Dec 18, 2001 · Closed May 31, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels

No summary supplied.

PE01006 · Front Shoulder Belt Webbing Guide

Opened Mar 1, 2001 · Closed Nov 6, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:webbing

ALLEGED THAT THE ANCHOR BOLT FOR THE FRONT SHOULDER BELT FUIDE IS LOOSE OR MIS-INSTALLED