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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

What owners actually said

124 reports
14,000 miles · Dec 24, 2003
Tires

TWO OUT OF FOUR TIRES HAD BULGES COMING OUT OF THE SIDEWALLS AFTER LESS THAN 14,000 MILES. TOOK THEM TO GOODYEAR AND THEY BLAMED IT ON ME. THEY SAID THE PLYS DELAMINATED BECAUSE I WAS RUNNING INTO TOO MANY POTHOLES (WHICH I WASN'T). I'VE NEVER HAD A TIRE DO THIS BEFORE. I THINK THE RSA'S ARE AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AND…

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TWO OUT OF FOUR TIRES HAD BULGES COMING OUT OF THE SIDEWALLS AFTER LESS THAN 14,000 MILES. TOOK THEM TO GOODYEAR AND THEY BLAMED IT ON ME. THEY SAID THE PLYS DELAMINATED BECAUSE I WAS RUNNING INTO TOO MANY POTHOLES (WHICH I WASN'T). I'VE NEVER HAD A TIRE DO THIS BEFORE. I THINK THE RSA'S ARE AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AND A SERIOUS INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE INITIATED ON THESE TIRES, ESPECIALLY THE LOW-PROFILE VERSION. MY TIRE SIZE IS P215/50VR17 , AND CAME STOCK ON MY 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10051069

Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2003
Exterior Lighting

I HAD THE CAR, ABOUT FOR 5 TO 6 MONTHS, AND ONE DAY I WAS HEADING OUT TO A FRIENDS WHEN I REALIZED THAT MY FOG LIGHT WAS BUSTED. I KNEW I NEVER HIT ANYTHING OF THAT SORT OR HAD ANYTHING HIT IT. I TOOK IT TO THE MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID A ROCK MIGHT HAVE HIT IT. I WENT ONLINE TO WWW.NEWECLIPSE.ORG, THAT IS THE CAR C…

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I HAD THE CAR, ABOUT FOR 5 TO 6 MONTHS, AND ONE DAY I WAS HEADING OUT TO A FRIENDS WHEN I REALIZED THAT MY FOG LIGHT WAS BUSTED. I KNEW I NEVER HIT ANYTHING OF THAT SORT OR HAD ANYTHING HIT IT. I TOOK IT TO THE MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID A ROCK MIGHT HAVE HIT IT. I WENT ONLINE TO WWW.NEWECLIPSE.ORG, THAT IS THE CAR CLUB FOR ECLIPSE OWNERS AND YOU GO UNDER PROMBLEM REPORTS AND YOU SEE THAT MANY PEOPLES FOG LIGHTS HAVE JUST BUSTED. EVEN IF A ROCK WOULD HAVE HIT IT, THEN IT SHOULD HAVE WITH STOOD IT. AND MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS SAY THAT THE MITSUBISHI TEAM STATES THAT A ROCK MUST HAVE HIT IT. IF YOU COULD PLEASE CHECK ON THIS, THANKS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10050669

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury

VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*MR . WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND HIT A CEMENT GUARDRAIL HEAD ON. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT MITSUBISHI SO THEY COULD CHECK OUT THE AIR BAG DEFECT BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL, THE CONSUME…

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VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*MR . WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND HIT A CEMENT GUARDRAIL HEAD ON. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT MITSUBISHI SO THEY COULD CHECK OUT THE AIR BAG DEFECT BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL, THE CONSUMER EVEN FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM AND WAS GIVEN A FILE# AND WAS SENT A PAMPHLET ON THE SAFETY OF AIR BAGS. AFTER THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY REPAIRED THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHICH ALLOWED THE REPAIR SHOP TO GET MITSUBISHI INVOLVED TO CHECK THE SYSTEM. IN THEIR INSPECTION REPORT THEY FOUND A CONNECTOR UNPLUGGED, THE SENSOR CUT AND THE ENGINE HARNESS AND WIRING HARNESS WAS HANGING DOWN IN THE L/F. IN THIS REPORT IT WAS ALSO STATED THAT THE MOST LIKELY REASON THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WAS BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NOT IN A HEAD ON COLLISION IT WAS AND END ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER HAS PROVIDED FILES AND PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE. *CB *JB

NHTSA ODI #10051766

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

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH IN HER 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE WHEN SHE WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION HITTING A CEMENT GUARDRAIL WHEN THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, FRONT OR SIDE. CAR HAD IN EXCESS OF $4,000 DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END, ENGINE, FRAME, ETC. AND HAD TO BE REBUILT. ALL MY EFFORTS TO CONTACT MITSUBISHI FOR SOM…

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MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH IN HER 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE WHEN SHE WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION HITTING A CEMENT GUARDRAIL WHEN THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, FRONT OR SIDE. CAR HAD IN EXCESS OF $4,000 DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END, ENGINE, FRAME, ETC. AND HAD TO BE REBUILT. ALL MY EFFORTS TO CONTACT MITSUBISHI FOR SOMEONE TO CHECK OUT THE AIR BAG DEFAULT WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL. I EVEN FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM AND WAS GIVEN A FILE NUMBER AND SENT A PAMPHLET ON THE SAFETY OF AIR BAGS. AFTER THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY REPAIRED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON WHICH ALLOWED THE COLLISION REPAIR SHOP TO GET MITSUBISHI INVOLVED TO CHECK THE SYSTEM. IN THEIR INSPECTION REPORT THEY FOUND A CONNECTOR UNPLUGGED AT SRS ECU AND ALSO 11783 HARNESS AT OUTSIDE TEMP. SENSOR CUT, NEEDS ENGINE HARNESS AND A PART OF WIRING HARNESS THAT IS HANGING DOWN IN THE L/F, ADVISE WHERE IT IS SUPPOSE TO GO. IN THIS REPORT IT WAS ALSO STATED THAT THE MOST LIKELY REASON THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WAS THE CAR WAS NOT IN A HEAD ON COLLISION IT WAS A FRONT END ACCIDENT. THIS IS TOTALLY INCORRECT. FORTUNATELY, HER INJURIES WERE NOT LIFE THREATENING AS SHE SUFFERED A SEVERE BODY WIPE LASHE. AFTER DOCTOR'S VISITS MRI, PAIN MEDICATION AND MASSAGE THERAPY, SHE IS STILL IN PAIN. MEDICAL BILLS ARE IN EXCESS OF $10,000. AND I AM STILL SEEKING A TREATMENT TO HELP HER PAIN. I DON'T WANT THE CAR - I WANT MITSUBISHI TO TAKE THE CAR BACK. ALSO, COMPENSATE ME FOR THEIR LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY AND INVOLVEMENT WHEN CLEARLY THIS CARS SAFETY FAILURE HAS PROVEN TO HAVE PUT MY DAUGHTER LIFE IN DANGER. I AM VERY CERTAIN THAT IF ANYONE ELSE WAS IN THE CAR - MAJOR INJURIES WOULD NOT HAVE SPARED EVERYONE. THIS IS MITSUBISHI AND THE MANUFACTURERS ERROR ONE TO THIS POINT THEY HAVE CHOSEN TO IGNORE AS I HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY INDICATION THEY ARE WILLING TO COOPERATE. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE ITS' REPAIRS. I HAVE A FILE AND PICTURES THAT UNQUESTIONABLE SHOW THIS VEHICLE WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10046883

8,000 miles · Nov 11, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2003 ECIPSE THAT I HAVE HAD IN THE SHPO TWICE BECAUSE MY CAR IS LEAKING OIL. I HAVE HAD CONTINOUS RUN AROUND AT THE GARAGE WAITING FOR PARTS ETC. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THE FACT THAT MY GARAGF FLOOR CONTINUES TO HAVE WET OIL ON IT.I ALSO AM WITHOUT A VEHICLE THAT I AM PAYING FOR.MY CAR HAS BEEN RETURNED ON THREE OC…

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I HAVE A 2003 ECIPSE THAT I HAVE HAD IN THE SHPO TWICE BECAUSE MY CAR IS LEAKING OIL. I HAVE HAD CONTINOUS RUN AROUND AT THE GARAGE WAITING FOR PARTS ETC. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THE FACT THAT MY GARAGF FLOOR CONTINUES TO HAVE WET OIL ON IT.I ALSO AM WITHOUT A VEHICLE THAT I AM PAYING FOR.MY CAR HAS BEEN RETURNED ON THREE OCCASSIONS TO GURLEY-LEEP, WHERE IT CURRENTLY IS,FOR THE SAAME PROBLEM OF LEAKING OIL.. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10045961

3,600 miles · Oct 31, 2003
Air BagsCrash

LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60-70 MPH IN THE RAIN, HIT A GUARDRAIL SEVERAL TIMES AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. FRONT OF VEHICLE WAS SO DAMAGED THAT CAR COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10045161

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

2,150 miles · Oct 15, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

OIL LEAK FROM ENGINE AT ONLY 2K MILES, DEALER IS MAKING REPAIR. CAUSE CRACKED OIL PUMP HOUSING. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10042993

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

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.