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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

Power Train complaints

20 reports
Clear category filter
11,940 miles · Sep 4, 2004
Power TrainCrashInjury

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 …

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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. WELL, IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND I BELIEVE COULD HAVE PLAYED A LARGE PART IN MY ONLY OTHER ACCIDENT. BUT THE BAD THING IS THAT NOW I AM AT 14, 438 MILES, WHICH EITHER WAY IS OVER THE 12K MILE WARRANTY IF THERE WAS ONE. I HAVE ALL ORIGINAL RECEIPTS TO PROVE THAT I STARTED HAVING CLUTCH PROBLEMS BEFORE I HIT 12K MILES AND I AM NOT SURE IF I CAN DO ANYTHING. I GOT A QUOTE OF OVER $1,000 TO BUY THE CLUTCH AND INSTALL IT. WHAT CAN I DO?*AK

NHTSA ODI #10090444

2,000 miles · Aug 24, 2004
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainVisibility

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 RE…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10088460

5,800 miles · Jun 1, 2004
Power Train

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

NHTSA ODI #10074604

12,000 miles · May 25, 2004
Power Train

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

NHTSA ODI #10074254

19,500 miles · Nov 26, 2003
Power Train

MY CLUTCH ON MY 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER STARTED TO SHOW SIGNS OF SLIPPING AT AROUND 11,000 MILES. I THOUGHT IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE BUMPER-TO-BUMPER WARRANTY AND DID NOT GET IT FIXED RIGHT AWAY AS MY DEALERSHIP IS ABOUT AN HOUR AWAY. IT FINALLY BECAME SO BAD THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT 19500 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP H…

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MY CLUTCH ON MY 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER STARTED TO SHOW SIGNS OF SLIPPING AT AROUND 11,000 MILES. I THOUGHT IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE BUMPER-TO-BUMPER WARRANTY AND DID NOT GET IT FIXED RIGHT AWAY AS MY DEALERSHIP IS ABOUT AN HOUR AWAY. IT FINALLY BECAME SO BAD THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT 19500 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH AND WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE DRIVEN STICK SHIFTS ALL MY LIFE AND NEVER HAD ONE FAIL, EVEN AFTER 85,000 MILES. THE CAR WAS NEVER RACED OR DRIVEN ABUSIVELY. NOW, THE SECOND CLUTCH IS AT 11,000 MILES AND THE PROBLEM IS BEGINNING AGAIN. I HAVE READ ON AN INTERNET FORUM FOR ECLIPSE OWNERS, REPORTS OF MANY OTHERS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCHES ON THE 2003 ECLIPSE GTS MODELS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECTIFIED. I CANNOT SPEND $1000 EVERY 6 - 12 MONTHS TO KEEP REPLACING CLUTCHES IN THIS CAR. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10047641

6,800 miles · Oct 23, 2003
Power Train

SELECTING THE SECOND GEAR OF MY CAR OFTEN CAUSES UNDESIRABLE "GRINDING" AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES CAN THAT GEAR BY USED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE POWER ON DEMAND AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THE GEAR DOES NOT GO IN PROPERLY. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10043465

32,311 miles · Oct 9, 2003
Power Train

MANUAL TRANSMISSION - CAR SEIZE WHEN SHIFTING INTO 5TH GEAR. DEALER STATED THAT SOMEONE THAT SERVICED THE CAR MUST HAVE DRAINED THE GEAR LUBE OIL DOWN TO 1 PINT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THEY DISCOVERED THAT IS WAS NOT THE GEAR LUBE OIL BUT THE ROD THAT PUSHES OUT WHEN SHIFTING FROM TO GEAR WAS TO LONG AND…

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MANUAL TRANSMISSION - CAR SEIZE WHEN SHIFTING INTO 5TH GEAR. DEALER STATED THAT SOMEONE THAT SERVICED THE CAR MUST HAVE DRAINED THE GEAR LUBE OIL DOWN TO 1 PINT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THEY DISCOVERED THAT IS WAS NOT THE GEAR LUBE OIL BUT THE ROD THAT PUSHES OUT WHEN SHIFTING FROM TO GEAR WAS TO LONG AND HAD BEEN CHIPPING AWAY AT THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER 2 MONTHS OF FIGHTING WITH THE DEALER AND MITSUBISHI DIRECTLY - THEY STILL REFUSE TO PAY. THIS WAS A FACTORY DEFECT. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE. IF I HAD LET THE DEALER REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION I WOULD NEVER HAD KNOWN THE REAL CAUSE. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10041520

10,000 miles · Jul 17, 2003
Power Train

MY CLUTCH HAD TO BE REPLACED AT ONLY 14,500 MILES. PROBLEMS WERE EVIDENT AT AROUND 10,000 MILES AND BECAME CONSIDERABLY WORSE IN TIME. I HAVE DRIVEN A MANUAL TRANSMISSION FOR 15 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER RACED AND DID NOT RIDE THE CLUTCH. MY LAST CAR'S CLUTCH LASTED IN EXCESS OF 100,000 MILES WITHOUT FAULT. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT…

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MY CLUTCH HAD TO BE REPLACED AT ONLY 14,500 MILES. PROBLEMS WERE EVIDENT AT AROUND 10,000 MILES AND BECAME CONSIDERABLY WORSE IN TIME. I HAVE DRIVEN A MANUAL TRANSMISSION FOR 15 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER RACED AND DID NOT RIDE THE CLUTCH. MY LAST CAR'S CLUTCH LASTED IN EXCESS OF 100,000 MILES WITHOUT FAULT. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT IT APPEARS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT. HOWEVER, SINCE THE WARRANTY ON THE CLUTCH EXPIRES AT 12,000 MILES, I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE PART. THE PROBLEM BECAME OBVIOUS WHEN MY TRANSMISSION SPUN AS I TRIED TO GO FROM A STOP UP A HILL. MY CAR BASICALLY BECAME STUCK IN TRAFFIC ON A DANGEROUS SECTION OF ROADWAY AND IT WAS LUCK THAT I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A SIDE-IMPACT COLLISION. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A RAILROAD TRACK OR A DRAWBRIDGE, I SEE THIS PROBLEM AS POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO MITSUBISHI MOTORS AND THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON A POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT CLUTCH. THEIR EFFORTS ARE TOO LATE FOR ME. I URGE THE NHTSA TO REQUIRE THAT MITSUBISHI MOTORS REPLACE DEFECTIVE CLUTCHES FREE OF CHARGE OR REIMBURSE THOSE (SUCH AS MYSELF) WHO HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO REPAIR WHAT IS OBVIOUSLY A FACTORY DEFECT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10028522

20 miles · Apr 6, 2003
Power Train

MY 2003 ECLIPSE GT IS HARD TO DOWN SHIFT INTO 2ND AND 1ST. THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL FOR THESE CARS. MY CAR ALSO GRINDS GOING INTO 3RD GEAR SOMETIMES.

NHTSA ODI #10014021

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2002
Power TrainTiresVisibility

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW, AND WHAT A MISTAKE IT WAS. I HAVE BEGUN THE PROCESS OF DECLARING THE LEMON LAW. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE INTO THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS 8 TIMES IN 4 MONTHS. THE DRIVE SHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE BOOT SPLIT AND LEAKED GREASE. THE FOG LIGHTS FILL WITH MOISTURE AND CONDENSATION DUE TOO INAD…

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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW, AND WHAT A MISTAKE IT WAS. I HAVE BEGUN THE PROCESS OF DECLARING THE LEMON LAW. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE INTO THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS 8 TIMES IN 4 MONTHS. THE DRIVE SHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE BOOT SPLIT AND LEAKED GREASE. THE FOG LIGHTS FILL WITH MOISTURE AND CONDENSATION DUE TOO INADEQUATE VENTING. THE WINDOWS DON'T SEAL TOO THE BODY ON THE CONVERTIBLE CAUSING WATER LEAKS, AND THE SEALS LOCATED ON THE QUARTER GLASS RUB THE DOOR WINDOW WHICH ALLOWS THE RUBBER TO WEAR PREMATURELY AND CREATE ADDITIONAL LEAKS. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE REAR QUARTER GLASS REPLACED 5 TIMES IN 4,000 MILES. THE CAR VIBRATES WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE THE TIRES ARE BAD. I HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT TWO REPLACED BECAUSE THE TREAD WAS SEPERATING INTERNALLY ON THE TIRES. MITSUBISHI NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL THE CARS ON THE ROAD WITH DEFECTS. PLEASE HELP DT

NHTSA ODI #768910

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.