IllustrationI HAD A HEADON COLLISON INTO A DITCH GOING APOX. 30 -35 MILES A HOUR. I HAD EXTENSIVE FRONTEND DAMAGE AND SOME REAREND DAMAGE.MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Eclipse years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
160–25K
2025–50K
1950–75K
1475–100K
6100–150K
5150K+
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
What owners actually said
209 reportsCONSUMER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AT 70 MPH WHEN INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION ENGINE FLEW OUT OF VEHICLE AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. MR
I WAS DECELERATING AND WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 20 MPH. A DODGE DURANGO TRAVELING AT ABOUT 45 MPH REAR ENDED ME. THE SEAT BACK BROKE AND WAS IN A RECLINED POSITION AFTER THE ACCIDENT. I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DT
THE OWNER HAD NOTICED ALL FOUR TIRES WERE WEARING UNEVENLY, THE TIRES WERE MEASURED WITH A METER TO DETERMINE EXCESSIVE WEAR. TS *TT *JB
ALSO I FOUND SHATTERED GLASS UNDER THE REAR SEATS, WHICH APPEARS TO BE REAR WINDSHIELD GLASS. MY CAR ALWAYS PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND MY RIGHT SIDE WINDOW DOES NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS VEHICLE WAS IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT WHEN I PURCHASED IT. DT
NO SUMMARY.
WHILE SITTING IN PARKING LOT REAR WINDOW BROKE INTO MILLIONS OF PIECES. MR
REAR WINDOW SHATTERED IN CONVERTABLE TOP AT 15 MPH AFTER NORMAL ACCELEORATION FROM 0 MPH. WE WERE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES OR PERSONS PRESENT TO EITHER SIDE OR REAR OF VEHICLE. WE WERE IN A SMALL LINE OF TRAFFIC, 4 PASSENGER CARS FROM OUR POSITION TO THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. OTHER PROBLE…
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REAR WINDOW SHATTERED IN CONVERTABLE TOP AT 15 MPH AFTER NORMAL ACCELEORATION FROM 0 MPH. WE WERE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES OR PERSONS PRESENT TO EITHER SIDE OR REAR OF VEHICLE. WE WERE IN A SMALL LINE OF TRAFFIC, 4 PASSENGER CARS FROM OUR POSITION TO THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. OTHER PROBLEMS NOTED BY MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP BEFORE REAR WINDOW GLASS FAILURE ARE EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT/POPPING OF REAR GLASS AT SPEEDS OF 50+ MPH. PULLING/STRETCH MARKS IN FABRIC OF TOP AROUND REAR WINDOW GLASS, FABRIC HAD BEGUN TO "SHRINK" UPWARDS ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE OF TOP ABOVE FRONT WINDOWS EXPOSING INTERIOR OF TOP. UPON INSPECTION OF THE ITEMS BY MITSUBISHI DEALER THEY CONSIDERED ALL OF THE ABOVE ITEMS NORMAL WEAR ON CONVERTABLE TOP. MITSUBISHI DENIED WARRANTY CLAIM SAYING THAT "WINDOW GLASS DOES NOT JUST BREAK ON IT'S OWN". MR
THE FACTORY RIMS THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE UPON PURCHASE ARE DESCRIBED BY THE OWNER AS "BUTTER". ALUMINUM IS TOO SOFT TO HANDLE NORMAL ROAD DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE RIMS BENT AND TWO OF THE TIRES HAD BLOWOUTS. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *MR
I AM REPORTING TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS, BOTH INVOLVING THE QUALITY OF THE MANUFACTURER'S RIMS ON THE 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GT. I HAVE SOMEHOW MANAGED TO DENT BOTH THE RIGHT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR RIM ON MY NEW 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GT WITHIN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF DRIVING (ODOMETER READ LESS THAN 3600 MILES AFTER THE SECOND INCI…
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I AM REPORTING TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS, BOTH INVOLVING THE QUALITY OF THE MANUFACTURER'S RIMS ON THE 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GT. I HAVE SOMEHOW MANAGED TO DENT BOTH THE RIGHT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR RIM ON MY NEW 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GT WITHIN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF DRIVING (ODOMETER READ LESS THAN 3600 MILES AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT). I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1997 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GST I PURCHASED NEW WITHOUT ANY RIM ISSUES AND TRADED IN AFTER 45,000 MILES FOR THE NEW ECLIPSE. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT A STOP LIGHT DRIVING LESS THAN 10 MPH. I DROVE TOO CLOSE TO A CURB AND MY FRONT TIRE HIT A POTHOLE. THE TIRE INSTANTLY DEFLATED, AND THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE ACTUAL TIRE, HOWEVER THE RIM WAS BENT IN AT LEAST 2-3 INCHES AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY, SO MY COST FOR A NEW RIM WAS AROUND $300, AND THEN THE DEALER STATED THAT I HAD TO GO ELSEWHERE TO HAVE TIRE AND RIM INSTALLED BECAUSE THEIR TIRE MACHINE WAS BROKEN! TOTAL COST OF THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS APPROXIMATELY $320. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURED ONLY A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER, BUT I AM STILL NOT SURE HOW OR WHERE THE INCIDENT OCCURED. THE DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT REAR RIM IS SUBSTANTIALLY LESS AS I AM STILL DRIVING ON THIS RIM TODAY. (THE RIGHT REAR RIM IS DENTED LESS THAN 1/4 INCH AND THERE WAS NO EFFECT ON THE TIRE OR THE STEERING.) NEITHER MY DRIVING SKILLS NOR THE DRIVING CONDITIONS HAVE CHANGED SINCE OWNING THE PREVIOUS ECLIPSE TO MERIT THOSE REASONS AS FACTORS FOR THE FAULTY RIMS. *AK
Official recalls
715V338000 · 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.
00V320001 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Oct 27, 2000
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS HOSE IS CONSIDERED TO BE INADEQUATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.
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
4PE05007 · 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