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2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Eclipse years

Owner complaints for the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse are substantially higher than the model-year median of 49.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

105 reports with mileage · 203 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 128 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports6 fire reports11 injury reports

Visibility complaints

21 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentExterior LightingFire

CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING, NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING THROUGH AIR CONDITIONING VENTS, VEHICLE LOOKED TO BE ON FIRE, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT HAD CAUSE THE FIRE. *AK PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE ENGINE WOULD START, AIR CONDITION WAS INOPERATIVE,SUNROFF WAS INOPERATIVE, MIRROR WERE INOPERAT…

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CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING, NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING THROUGH AIR CONDITIONING VENTS, VEHICLE LOOKED TO BE ON FIRE, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT HAD CAUSE THE FIRE. *AK PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE ENGINE WOULD START, AIR CONDITION WAS INOPERATIVE,SUNROFF WAS INOPERATIVE, MIRROR WERE INOPERATIVE, EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS INOPERATIVE NEEDED TO BE READJUSTED,FOG LIGHTS STAYED ON EVEN WITH THE KEY OUT OF IGNITION, WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS INOPERATIVE, CARGO COVER WAS LOOSE, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING

NHTSA ODI #8003231

Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2001
Visibility

CONSUMER STATES WHEN IT RAINS, WATER SITS INSIDE THE WATER WELL, AND WHEN ROLLING THE WINDOWS DOWN AND BACK UP THERE IS A WATER FILM ON THEM, IN COLDER WEATHER WINDOWS WILL SOMETIMES FREEZE BECAUSE OF THIS WATER, CONTACT DEALER AND DEALER STATED IT IS COMMON AND VEHICLE IS NOT DEFECTED.*AK *YH

NHTSA ODI #8001066

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2001
Air BagsEquipmentSeat Belts

VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG CAUSED EYE INJURY TO THE DRIVER, THE CONSUMER MAY HAVE SUSTAINED PERMANENT INJURY TO THE LEFT EYE. NLM

NHTSA ODI #563525

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2001
Visibility

WHILE DRIVING THE SUNROOF VIOLENTLY EXPLODED, SMALL PIECES OF GLASS FELL ONTO THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANT,THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS DEFECT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. NLM

NHTSA ODI #563006

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2001
Visibility

CLOSED SUNROOF VIOLENTLY EXPLODED WITH SMALL GLASS GOING ALL OVER BOTH PASSENGERS GOING 60 MPH DOWN HIGHWAY. NOTHING HIT THE CAR. HAD HAD PROBLEMS OPENING PRIOR. MITSUBISHI WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY OF POSSIBLE DEFECT. INSURANCE REPORTS NO EVIDENCE OF OBJECT HITTING. COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY IN HEAVIER TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI #746102

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2001
Visibility

POWER WINDOWS WHEN ROLLED DOWN IN DRY WEATHER COME BACK UP WET WITH A MILDEW SMELL. DEALER HAS REPLACED WINDOW STRIPPING, DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM.*AK THE DEALER DENIES THERE WAS MILDEW PROBLE. *YH

NHTSA ODI #878290

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2000
Visibility

REAR HATCH GLASS IS DISTORTED, WAS REPLACED BUT THE NEW GLASS IS WORSE THAN THE OLD GLASS, WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND LOOKING IN THE REAR VIEW VISIBILITY IS LIMITED BECAUSE OF DISTORTION, THE GLASS ALWAYS LOOKS DIRTY ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT OR WHEN RAINING. NLM

NHTSA ODI #558350

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

THE BRAKES HAVE NOT RESPONDED TWICE AND NOW CONSTANTLY SCREECH FOR THE FIRST FIVE MILES OF DRIVING IT FROM REST. WATER BUILDS UP IN THE DOOR AFTER A WASH OR RAIN AND IT SMELLS.

NHTSA ODI #730765

Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2000
Visibility

WATER COLLECTS IN DRIVER SIDE DOOR, WINDOWS LEAK IN RAIN? ALSO, WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING 60MPH, SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS.

NHTSA ODI #721532

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2000
Visibility

WHEN THE FRONT DOORS ARE OPENED THEN CLOSED, A SIGNIFIGANT AMOUNT OF WATER IS ON THE WINDOW. I BELIEVE WATER IS BEING RETAINED WITHIN THE DOOR. IN COLD WEATHER, THE WINDOWS FROZE IN THE CLOSED POSITION. AFTER SETTING IN THE SUN, THE WINDOWS FUNCTIONED NORMALLY, BUT WATER WAS EVIDENT ON THEM AFTER BEING OPENED. THE DOORS FROZ…

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WHEN THE FRONT DOORS ARE OPENED THEN CLOSED, A SIGNIFIGANT AMOUNT OF WATER IS ON THE WINDOW. I BELIEVE WATER IS BEING RETAINED WITHIN THE DOOR. IN COLD WEATHER, THE WINDOWS FROZE IN THE CLOSED POSITION. AFTER SETTING IN THE SUN, THE WINDOWS FUNCTIONED NORMALLY, BUT WATER WAS EVIDENT ON THEM AFTER BEING OPENED. THE DOORS FROZE AGAIN THE NEXT DAY. AFTER A CARWASH OR RAIN, THE DRY WINDOWS CAN BE ACTUATED, AND ARE THEN VERY WET. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE INTERNAL WINDOW COMPONENTS RUSTING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #721076

Official recalls

7

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.

01V295001 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

Sep 25, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH V6 ENGINES TO FEDERAL EMISSION STANDARDS. THE POWER STEERING FLUID FEED TUBE CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD MOUNTED HEAT SHIELD CAUSING A HOLE TO BE WORN THROUGH THE POWER STEERING PIPE ALLOWING FLUID LEAKAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID CAN RESULT IN A FIRE AND CONTINUED LOSS OF FLUID WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER ASSIST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING TUBE WITH ONE HAVING A NEW ROUTING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 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 AMERICA 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.

00V225001 · Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)

Aug 10, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A NUT IN THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED, RESULTING IN SYMPTOMS RANGING FROM STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION TO STIFF STEERING, AND IN THE WORST CASE, NO ABILITY TO TURN LEFT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY IF A LOOSE NUT CONNECTION IS FOUND.

99V333001 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Nov 23, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES AND FEDERAL EMISSION EQUIPMENT. THE BATTERY CABLE HARNESS CAN BECOME HEAT DAMAGED BY THE FRONT EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH COULD CAUSE GROUNDED CIRCUITS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CIRCUIT FAILURE COULD CAUSE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TO OCCUR: (1) THE ENGINE WILL NOT START BECAUSE THE MAIN FUSE WILL BLOW IF THE POWER LEAD IS GROUNDED; (2) THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE IF THE SIGNAL WIRE IS GROUNDED; (3) THE AIRCONDITIONING SYSTEM WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE IF THE LEAD TO THE MAGNETIC CLUTCH IS GROUNDED; AND (4) THE TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD LAMPS WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE IF THE VOLTAGE MONITOR LEAD IS GROUNDED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND DISCARD A METAL MANIFOLD BRACKET (FROM GALANT MODELS ONLY - ECLIPSE HAS NO SUCH BRACKET). DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE HARNESS. IF THE HARNESS WIRES SHOW NO DAMAGE, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A HEAT INSULATOR ALONG WITH HEAT RESISTANT HARNESS CLIPS. IF THE HARNESS WIRES DO SHOW DAMAGE, THE DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HARNESS WITH PREINSTALLED INTEGRAL HEAT PROTECTION.

99V305001 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch; Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:switch/wiring

Nov 1, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE COLUMN SWITCH LEVERS CAN BECOME LOOSE OR BREAK OVER TIME.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: LOOSENING OR CRACKING OF THE LEVERS CAN CAUSE DIRECTIONAL LAMPS THAT DO NOT SELF-CANCEL OR OPERATE, HEAD LAMPS THAT DO NOT TURN OFF, WINDSHIELD WASHERS THAT OPERATE CONTINUOUSLY AND/OR WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT DO NOT OPERATE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED SWITCH.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:switch/wiring

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE COLUMN SWITCH LEVERS CAN BECOME LOOSE OR BREAK OVER TIME.

Consequence: LOOSENING OR CRACKING OF THE LEVERS CAN CAUSE DIRECTIONAL LAMPS THAT DO NOT SELF-CANCEL OR OPERATE, HEAD LAMPS THAT DO NOT TURN OFF, WINDSHIELD WASHERS THAT OPERATE CONTINUOUSLY AND/OR WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT DO NOT OPERATE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED SWITCH.

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE COLUMN SWITCH LEVERS CAN BECOME LOOSE OR BREAK OVER TIME.

Consequence: LOOSENING OR CRACKING OF THE LEVERS CAN CAUSE DIRECTIONAL LAMPS THAT DO NOT SELF-CANCEL OR OPERATE, HEAD LAMPS THAT DO NOT TURN OFF, WINDSHIELD WASHERS THAT OPERATE CONTINUOUSLY AND/OR WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT DO NOT OPERATE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED SWITCH.

Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE COLUMN SWITCH LEVERS CAN BECOME LOOSE OR BREAK OVER TIME.

Consequence: LOOSENING OR CRACKING OF THE LEVERS CAN CAUSE DIRECTIONAL LAMPS THAT DO NOT SELF-CANCEL OR OPERATE, HEAD LAMPS THAT DO NOT TURN OFF, WINDSHIELD WASHERS THAT OPERATE CONTINUOUSLY AND/OR WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT DO NOT OPERATE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED SWITCH.

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

3

PE05007 · 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.