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2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Eclipse years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse are substantially higher than the model-year median of 49.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

75 reports with mileage · 49 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.

  • Structure. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports4 fire reports7 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

7 reports
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114,000 miles · Aug 24, 2017
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE ROLLING DOWN THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE WINDOW SWITCH AREA. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE ROLLING DOWN THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE WINDOW SWITCH AREA. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT FAULTY WIRING IN THE WINDOW CAUSED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

NHTSA ODI #11019431

150,000 miles · Sep 28, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS AN ODOR OF FUEL PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT WATER HAD LEAKED FROM THE FLOOR BOARD CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BECOME SLIPPERY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. WHILE CHE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS AN ODOR OF FUEL PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT WATER HAD LEAKED FROM THE FLOOR BOARD CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BECOME SLIPPERY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. WHILE CHECKING THE BATTERY CONNECTION THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE WAS SMOKING AND HAD MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING HOSE THAT FAILED CAUSED THE WATER LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10778019

144,000 miles · Jul 24, 2015
Electrical System

MY VEHICLE HAS A BAD PAINT JOB, NEEDS TO BE REPAINTED. THE HEATER COIL IS LEAKING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED HAD ESTIMATE OF $1030.44 WITH NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE DASH WILL COME OUT IN ONE PIECE AND CAN BE PUT BACK INTO THE CAR WITHOUT BREAKING INTO SEVERAL PIECES. I FEEL THAT MITSUBISH PUT BAD PAINT JOBS ON THE CARS AND THEY SHOUL…

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MY VEHICLE HAS A BAD PAINT JOB, NEEDS TO BE REPAINTED. THE HEATER COIL IS LEAKING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED HAD ESTIMATE OF $1030.44 WITH NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE DASH WILL COME OUT IN ONE PIECE AND CAN BE PUT BACK INTO THE CAR WITHOUT BREAKING INTO SEVERAL PIECES. I FEEL THAT MITSUBISH PUT BAD PAINT JOBS ON THE CARS AND THEY SHOULD BE THE ONES TO REPAINT THE CAR, AND REPLACE THE HEATER COIL SO THE I WILL HAVE WORKING DEFROSTERS. MA 10/29/2015 UPDATED 12/06/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10743320

120,000 miles · Sep 3, 2010
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE DEPOSITS BURNED OFF. PERIODICALLY HIS VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BATTERY HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO HEAT DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED HIM THER…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE DEPOSITS BURNED OFF. PERIODICALLY HIS VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BATTERY HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO HEAT DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED HIM THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10353669

100,000 miles · Jul 21, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicFire

I HAVE A MITISUBISHI ECLIPSE 2003 100000 MILES ( MAJORITY HIGHWAY). IN THE SPRING OF 08-THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE WAS CHANGING GEARS HARD AND WAS ADVISE IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION/MOTOR MOUNDS. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AS MUCH AS 40MPH. TOOK IT BACK TO MITISUBISHI DEALER F…

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I HAVE A MITISUBISHI ECLIPSE 2003 100000 MILES ( MAJORITY HIGHWAY). IN THE SPRING OF 08-THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE WAS CHANGING GEARS HARD AND WAS ADVISE IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION/MOTOR MOUNDS. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AS MUCH AS 40MPH. TOOK IT BACK TO MITISUBISHI DEALER FOR SERVICE/DIAGNOSIS-TOLD POSSIBLE EVENTUALLY TRANS, TIMING BELT AND POSSIBLY RADIATOR, WHICH WAS ONE OF ANOTHER CONSUMERS RESOLVE. WELL, THEY FLUSH THE RADIATOR AND IT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM OF DRIVING BUT NOT THE NOISE. ALSO JUNE 2009-AFTER DRIVING 5 MPH I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER ( CALL FOR TOW AND LATER OPENED THE HOOD TO SEE ALL THE INSULATION SMOLDER). AFTER BEING STRANDED FOR OVER AN HOUR I WAS TOWED TO MY DESTINATION. THE CAR WAS LATER TOWED TO CONTRACTOR ADVISE POSSIBLE DISTRIBUTOR, REALIZED IT WAS NOT THE DISTRIBUTOR AND SUGGEST CAR IS TOWED TO MITSUBISH FOR OFFICIAL COMPUTER SERVICE DIAGNOSIS ( DUE TO CAR STARTING BUT NOT TURNING OVER). ADVISE, BY THE MITISUBISHI SERVICE TECH ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL WIRES WERE MELTED... COMPUTER FAILURE/EXTREME ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DAMAGE, HARNESS MELTED ETC; I ASK THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER @ THE DEALERSHIP, WHAT WOULD CAUSE THIS AND HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE? HE STATED ?NOT SURE OF CAUSE?AND WAS REALLY SHOCKED TO THE DAMAGE "POSSIBLE FUSE, IGNITION WIRES SOMETHING" NOT SURE. DIAGNOSTIC TESTING COST $112.00 REPAIR ESTIMATE $5400. HELP!!!I THE MANUFACTURE NEEDS TO BE MADE AWARE OF THIS HAZARD OF A PROBLEM; IF NOT ALREADY. WITH RECALL/REPLACEMENT AND/OR REIMBURSE GOOD FAITH AND LOYAL MITSUBISHI CONSUMERS. I WON'T BEGAN TO EXPLAIN THE NUMEROUS BRAKE/ROTORS & TIRES REPLACED/REPAIRED WITHIN 5 YEARS OF PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER 2002. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10277592

24,460 miles · Feb 2, 2004
Electrical SystemFire

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

NHTSA ODI #10057338

4,887 miles · Apr 1, 2003
Electrical System

THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BECAUSE THE CONNECTOR TO THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD A BROKEN LOCK TAB AND WAS BEING PULLED BY THE HARNESS WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TILED. *JB *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10014967

Official recalls

3

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.

03V442000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Nov 4, 2003

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.