Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
280–25K
2025–50K
950–75K
475–100K
9100–150K
5150K+
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
Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2009
Structure
I OWN A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE, BLACK. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE PAINT APPEARED PERFECT, BUT IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR VERY BAD 'SUNBLEACHED' OR OXIDIZED SPOTS HAVE APPEARED ON THE ROOF AND TRUNK AND APPEAR TO BE GETTING WORSE IN A HURRY. THE CAR HAS BEEN WASHED AND WAXED REGULARLY SINCE I PURCHASED IT. SINCE THESE SPOTS HAVE S…
Read full complaint
I OWN A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE, BLACK. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE PAINT APPEARED PERFECT, BUT IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR VERY BAD 'SUNBLEACHED' OR OXIDIZED SPOTS HAVE APPEARED ON THE ROOF AND TRUNK AND APPEAR TO BE GETTING WORSE IN A HURRY. THE CAR HAS BEEN WASHED AND WAXED REGULARLY SINCE I PURCHASED IT. SINCE THESE SPOTS HAVE SHOWN UP, I HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT OTHER ECLIPSES AROUND MY AREA, AND LITERALLY EVERY SINGLE BLACK ECLIPSE I SEE - PROBABLY UPWARDS OF 30 CARS (2000-2003) - HAS THE SAME PROBLEM, NOT TO MENTION THE THOUSANDS OF ONLINE POSTS I HAVE SEEN MENTIONING THIS SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY WAY TO HAVE THE DEALERSHIP PAY FOR A NEW PAINTJOB WITH CURRENT BLACK PAINT (I DO NOT WANT THE SAME 2003 PAINT PUT ON, ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM OCCUR IN 4 YEARS) THANK YOU VERY MUCH! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10254931
90,000 miles · Aug 5, 2008
Structure
I OWN A BLACK 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. ON OR ABOUT JUNE 1, 2007 I NOTICED A MYSTERIOUS WHITE SPOT FORMING ON THE ROOF OF MY CAR. WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO, THE WHITE SPOT TURNED INTO SEVERAL WHITE SPOTS AND NOW CURRENTLY ON AUGUST 5, 2008 THE ENTIRE ROOF IS COVERED IN WHITE AND ONE HAS EVEN TURNED TO RUST. I CONTACTED A MIT…
Read full complaint
I OWN A BLACK 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. ON OR ABOUT JUNE 1, 2007 I NOTICED A MYSTERIOUS WHITE SPOT FORMING ON THE ROOF OF MY CAR. WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO, THE WHITE SPOT TURNED INTO SEVERAL WHITE SPOTS AND NOW CURRENTLY ON AUGUST 5, 2008 THE ENTIRE ROOF IS COVERED IN WHITE AND ONE HAS EVEN TURNED TO RUST. I CONTACTED A MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR IS NOT COVERED AFTER 36,000 MILES. MY QUESTION IS, WHAT DOES MILEAGE HAVE TO DO WITH PAINT? I THEN DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MITSUBISHI VEHICLES PRODUCED AROUND 2003 AND THAT THE ISSUE IS DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE PRIMER USED BY THE COMPANY. SO WHY DOESN'T MITSUBISHI FESS UP TO THEIR PROBLEM AND FIX THE MESS? THERE ARE THOUSANDS IF NOT MILLIONS OF DISSATISFIED CUSTOMERS WITH NEWER VEHICLES THAT LOOK HORRIBLE. IN MY CASE, I OWN A FAIRLY NEW VEHICLE THAT I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THAT LOOKS ABSOLUTELY WORTHLESS. I AM ASHAMED TO OWN THIS VEHICLE, IT LOOKS LIKE I DON'T TAKE CARE OF MY CAR. WHEN IT ALL ACTUALITY, THIS IS NOT MY FAULT. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP WITH THIS MATTER. I WOULD LIKE MITSUBISHI TO REPAINT MY CAR AT NO COST TO ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10237080
47,000 miles · Aug 1, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED WAS ABOUT 6 MOS PRIOR TO THIS RECENT INCIDENT THOUGH I COULDN'T RECALL EXACTLY WHEN. I WAS ON STOP ON AN INTERSECTION TRYING TO TURN RIGHT. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. JUST AS I SLOWLY RELEASED MY FOOT THE CAR ACCELERATED AND MOVED TOWARDS THE RIGHT…
Read full complaint
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED WAS ABOUT 6 MOS PRIOR TO THIS RECENT INCIDENT THOUGH I COULDN'T RECALL EXACTLY WHEN. I WAS ON STOP ON AN INTERSECTION TRYING TO TURN RIGHT. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. JUST AS I SLOWLY RELEASED MY FOOT THE CAR ACCELERATED AND MOVED TOWARDS THE RIGHT LANE OF WHERE I WANTED TO GO HOWEVER THERE WAS STILL INCOMING TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO STEER MYSELF TOWARDS THE MIDDLE LANE AND AVOIDED THE INCOMING CAR. SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED TODAY: ON MY WAY HOME AND ENTERING MY GARAGE, I HAVE SLOWLY RELEASED MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL; THE CAR SIMPLY ACCELERATED FORWARD AT A MAXIMUM SPEED. I HIT OUR GARAGE WALL. THE WALL HAPPENED TO BE A COMMON WALL TO OUR FAMILY ROOM. THIS BORE A 3' X 4' HOLE IN OUR FAMILY ROOM; THE COUCH WHICH WAS PLACED AGAINST THE WALL MOVED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM -WHICH SHOWS THE EXTENT OF THE SPEED PICK-UP AS WELL AS THE DAMAGE. I AM GLAD TO SHARE PHOTOS OF THIS INCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10236650
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2008
Structure
I OWN A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GTS AND I HAVE NOTICED ON THE TOP OF MY ROOF THAT MY BLACK PAINT IS TURNING WHITE! IT IS VERY NOTICEABLE . I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT I AM ONE OF HUNDREDS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT COMPANY DOES NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND BLAMES IT ON THE ROAD, SA…
Read full complaint
I OWN A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GTS AND I HAVE NOTICED ON THE TOP OF MY ROOF THAT MY BLACK PAINT IS TURNING WHITE! IT IS VERY NOTICEABLE . I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT I AM ONE OF HUNDREDS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT COMPANY DOES NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND BLAMES IT ON THE ROAD, SALT, AND BIRDS. A CAR THAT IS THIS NEW SHOULD NOT BE HAVING PAINT PROBLEMS! I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED WITH MITSUBISHI AND WILL NOT BE A CONTINUING CUSTOMER IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED. I AM HOPING MITSUBISHI TAKES FULL RESPONSIBILITY IN FITTING THE PAINT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10234272
72,500 miles · Jun 27, 2008
Fuel System, Other
SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON; TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP. DISCOVERD THAT FILLER NECK HAS RUSTED OUT REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. THIS WAS REPORTED TO ME BY THE DEALERSHIP TO BE COMMON WITH THIS MODEL. THE VEHICLE IS A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GS. THE FILLER NECK HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THE FILLER NECK IS LOCATED DIRECTLY BEHIN…
Read full complaint
SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON; TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP. DISCOVERD THAT FILLER NECK HAS RUSTED OUT REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. THIS WAS REPORTED TO ME BY THE DEALERSHIP TO BE COMMON WITH THIS MODEL. THE VEHICLE IS A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GS. THE FILLER NECK HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THE FILLER NECK IS LOCATED DIRECTLY BEHIND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THIS CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. "PIPES" SHOULD NOT BE RUSTING AFTER 5 YEARS OF USE. THERE IS NO COVER OVER THE FILLER NECK TO PROTECT IT FROM ROAD CONDITIONS AND WEATHER. ALSO APPEARS THERE WAS NO PROTECTIVE COATING ON THE METAL. A CCV TEST SHOWED A STRONG ODOR FROM THE FILLER NECK. ALL OTHER TESTS ON THE CAR PASSED. MORE TESTS TO BE RUN ONCE FILLER NECK REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #10232553
60,000 miles · Jun 16, 2008
Structure
I NOTICED RECENTLY THAT A SECTION OF THE ROOF ON MY CAR WAS WHITISH IN COLOR. QUITE APPARENT AS MY CAR IS BLACK IN COLOR. I HAVE HEARD AND READ FROM MANY SOURCES THAT THIS ISSUE WAS PREVALENT IN 2003 MODELS AND OBVIOUSLY MINE IS NOT EXEMPT MUCH TO MY DISAPPOINTMENT. I HOPE THAT MITSUBISHI STEPS UP TO THE PLATE TO CORRECT THIS M…
Read full complaint
I NOTICED RECENTLY THAT A SECTION OF THE ROOF ON MY CAR WAS WHITISH IN COLOR. QUITE APPARENT AS MY CAR IS BLACK IN COLOR. I HAVE HEARD AND READ FROM MANY SOURCES THAT THIS ISSUE WAS PREVALENT IN 2003 MODELS AND OBVIOUSLY MINE IS NOT EXEMPT MUCH TO MY DISAPPOINTMENT. I HOPE THAT MITSUBISHI STEPS UP TO THE PLATE TO CORRECT THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10231149
40,000 miles · Jun 16, 2008
Structure
I OWN A 2003 BLACK MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GTS THAT HAS A HORRIBLE OXIDIZING PAINT PROBLEM. THE HOOD, TRUNK AND TOP OF MY CAR ARE NEARLY ALL GRAY AT THIS POINT. THE PROBLEM FIRST APPEARED ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO WHEN THE CAR WAS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAINT THE CAR STATING THAT IT WAS PAST WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10231116
Mileage unknown · May 23, 2008
Tires
I BOUGHT NEW TIRES FOR MY DAUGHTER LAST FALL AND SHE HAS BEEN AWAY AT COLLEGE AND HER CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN MUCH AT ALL. WHEN SHE CAME HOME FROM SCHOOL WE NOTICED 2 HUGE BULDGES AND ANOTHER BULDGE IN BOTH HER FRONT TIRES. THEY ARE NOT WORN AT ALL BUT WE WERE TOLD NOT TO DRIVE ON THEM CAUSE THEY COULD BLOW AT ANYTIME. THEY …
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT NEW TIRES FOR MY DAUGHTER LAST FALL AND SHE HAS BEEN AWAY AT COLLEGE AND HER CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN MUCH AT ALL. WHEN SHE CAME HOME FROM SCHOOL WE NOTICED 2 HUGE BULDGES AND ANOTHER BULDGE IN BOTH HER FRONT TIRES. THEY ARE NOT WORN AT ALL BUT WE WERE TOLD NOT TO DRIVE ON THEM CAUSE THEY COULD BLOW AT ANYTIME. THEY ARE BRIDGESTONE 250/R17. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10228756
Mileage unknown · May 15, 2008
Structure
I PURCHASED A BLACK 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE AND THE ENTIRE CAR LOOKS TERRIBLE BECAUSE OF PEELING PAINT AND WHITE SPOTS ALL OVER IT. I WAS TOLD BY AN AUTO BODY SPECIALIST THAT IT BECAUSE OF A CLEAR COAT FAILURE. I HAVE TAKEN REALLY GOOD CARE OF THE CAR AND IT IS GARAGED IN THE WINTER. MITSUBISHI NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AN…
Read full complaint
I PURCHASED A BLACK 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE AND THE ENTIRE CAR LOOKS TERRIBLE BECAUSE OF PEELING PAINT AND WHITE SPOTS ALL OVER IT. I WAS TOLD BY AN AUTO BODY SPECIALIST THAT IT BECAUSE OF A CLEAR COAT FAILURE. I HAVE TAKEN REALLY GOOD CARE OF THE CAR AND IT IS GARAGED IN THE WINTER. MITSUBISHI NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND REPAINT MY CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10227864
Mileage unknown · May 13, 2008
Structure
I WILL HAVE HAD MY CAR 5YEARS IN MID-JUNE. LAST YEAR IN NOVEMBER I NOTICED THAT MY BLACK CAR WAS TURNING A WHITISH GREY BUT ONLY ON THE HOOD AND TRUNK. IN THE SPRING I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW, HE TOOK PICTURES AND SHOWED IT TO THE REGIONAL MANAGER,AND THEY BOTH AGREED THAT IT WAS A DEFECT IN THE PAIN…
Read full complaint
I WILL HAVE HAD MY CAR 5YEARS IN MID-JUNE. LAST YEAR IN NOVEMBER I NOTICED THAT MY BLACK CAR WAS TURNING A WHITISH GREY BUT ONLY ON THE HOOD AND TRUNK. IN THE SPRING I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW, HE TOOK PICTURES AND SHOWED IT TO THE REGIONAL MANAGER,AND THEY BOTH AGREED THAT IT WAS A DEFECT IN THE PAINT ,AND THAT THE PAINT WAS A PROBLEM THAT YEAR ( 2003 ).THEY PAINTED IT BUT ONLY THE HOOD AND TRUNK. THEN IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR I NOTICED THAT THE REST OF THE CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING. SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS CONSIDERED AN OLD CAR AND OUT OF WARRANTY,BUT IF THE PAINT WAS BAD LAST YEAR DO TO A DEFECT IN THE PAINT IT'S STILL THE SAME CAR WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PAINT AND THEY REFUSE TO HAVE ANY THING TO DO WITH IT. MY CAR ONLY HAS 37,000 MILES ON IT .CAN SOME ONE PLEASE HELP ME? I LOVE MY CAR NEVER ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT,RUNS GREAT BUT LOOKS LIKE ?!@#$%. *TR
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.
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.
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.
2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year