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

Wheels complaints

128 reports

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20,000 miles · Jul 18, 2003

Wheels

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE HIT A POTHOLE AND THE WHEELS BENT, THE CONSUMER HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW TIRE. *CB *JB

NHTSA ODI #8003000

25,889 miles · May 25, 2003

Wheels

MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE (2000) DEFECTIVE WHEELS. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10019271

2,000 miles · May 22, 2003

Wheels

THE RIMS BENT, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO BECOME FLAT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10020434

Mileage unknown · May 14, 2003

Wheels

WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, ALL FOUR RIMS BENT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10019798

42,000 miles · May 13, 2003

Power TrainWheels

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THE RIMS ON MY 2000 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE HAVE BECOME DENTED UNDER WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED LESS THAN NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I HAVE TAKEN EXCEPTIONAL CARE TO PROTECT THIS CAR FROM DAMAGE. AS AN EXAMPLE, AFTER THREE YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, THERE IS STILL NOT A SINGLE DOOR DENT OR CHIP, DUE TO THE FACT THAT I EXERCISE THE EXTRA EFFORT TO PARK FAR AWAY FROM OTHER VEHICLES AND WALK THE EXTRA DISTANCE TO MY DESTINATION. THEREFORE IT'S REASONABLE TO ASSUME THAT I WOULD ALSO STEER CLEAR OF POTHOLES, ETC., AND I HAVE THE PAPER WORK TO PROVE THAT I HAVE MAINTAINED MY CAR ACCORDING TO STANDARDS SET BY MITSUBISHI. YET DESPITE THIS LEVEL OF CARE, THE RIMS HAVE BECOME DAMAGED. IRONICALLY, AS THIS IS MY FIRST NEW CAR, I TAKE BETTER CARE OF IT THAN ANY CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED, AND YET IT IS THE FIRST CAR I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE WITH. WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE FACTORY REP SAID IT WAS BECAUSE THE AIR PRESSURE MUST HAVE BEEN LOW AND I HIT A POTHOLE. BUT YET HE WON'T TELL ME HOW HE CAME TO THAT DETERMINATION. AT THE SAME TIME I BROUGHT THE CAR I FOR THE RIMS, I HAD BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR THE CLUTCH NOISE ISSUE, AND NOWHERE ON THE REPAIR ORDER IS IT MENTIONED THAT I REQUESTED TO HAVE THE RIMS REPLACED AND THAT MY REQUEST WAS DENIED. NOR CAN I GET IT FROM MITSUBISHI IN WRITING. ALSO, IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE TIRES WERE NEVER REMOVED FROM MY CAR DURING THE "INSPECTION", SO I QUESTION ITS SINCERITY. I HAVE LEFT TWO MESSAGES WITH THE FACTORY REP TO EXPLAIN TO ME HOW HE ARRIVED AT HIS DETERMINATION, AND HE HAS STILL NOT RETURNED MY CALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY MITSUBISHI HAS SPENT THE TIME AND MONEY MAKING A ONE-PIECE RIM TO REPLACE THE TWO-PIECE RIM IF THEY DON'T RECOGNIZE THAT THE RIMS AREN'T AN ISSUE, AND WHY THEY ARE REPLACING SOME PEOPLE'S RIMS AND NOT OTHERS. HOPEFULLY THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT CURRENTLY UNDERWAY WILL HELP ME OUT, BECAUSE MITSUBISHI IS NOT BEING VERY RESPONSIVE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10018655

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2003

Wheels

THE WHEELS ARE BENDING WHICH HAS HAPPENED ONCE ALREADY BEFORE I FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS AN ON GOING ISSUE. I HAD THEM FIXED BUT NOW THE PROBLEM IS BACK. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10018614

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2003

Wheels

2000 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. ALREADY REPLACED ONE RIM 17" FACTORY. IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING AN ADDITIONAL TWO. HAVE ALSO HAD RELATED TIRE PROBLEMS, NEEDING REPLACEMENT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10016690

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2003

Wheels

I JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2000 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GS, I NEVER ONCE HAVE HIT ANY POT HOLES, BUT FOR SOME ODD REASON, MY RIM HAS DENTED SEVERELY. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, THAT IS WHY IT IS A CONCERN TO ME. IF SOMEONE COULD KINDLY RESPOND IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10016218

3,000 miles · Mar 26, 2003

Wheels

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YEAR 2000 - MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GT WITH 17" WHEEL OPTION - FACTORY EQUIPPED 17" WHEEL/TIRE OPTION. DENTS REPEATEDLY WHEN CONTACT IS MADE WITH A MODERATE OR LARGER SIZE ROAD DEFECT. DENTED WHEELS LEAK AIR AND CAUSE CONSIDERABLE VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DUE TO OUT OF BALANCE SITUATION DENTS CAUSE. A WHEEL SUDDENLY LOST ALL PRESSURE AND THE TIRE BECAME UNSEATED FROM THE RIM. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR BECAUSE THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AT A RELATIVELY LOW SPEED. THE RIM STRUCK THE GROUND DIRECTLY AND WAS DAMAGED WHERE TIRE CONTACTS WHEEL. I HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF CARS IDENTICAL TO MINE AND ALL OF THEM HAVE HAD AT LEAST ONE DENTED WHEEL (17" WHEEL OPTION). ALL DENTS OCCUR WHERE THE WHEEL MEETS THE RIM ON THE OUTER FACING SIDE OF THE RIM. THE INNER RIM DOES NOT BEND, LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW. RIMS DENT AT RECOMMENDED TIRE PRESSURES. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED 2 WHEELS AT MY OWN EXPENSE, AND THE REPLACEMENTS NOW HAVE MULTIPLE DENTS. I HAVE NOT ROTATED THE TIRES BECAUSE THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY DENT (I SUSPECT BECAUSE A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF THE VEHICLE'S WEIGHT IS BORNE BY THE FRONT WHEELS). IF I ROTATE THE WHEELS, ALL 4 WHEELS WILL SOON BE DENTED EXACERBATING THE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10011090

74,000 miles · Jan 18, 2003

Wheels

WHILE DRIVING IN BOSTON, MA AROUND RUSH HOUR, A SMALL POT HOLE WAS HIT. CAR WAS NOT TRAVELLING AT MORE THEN 25MPH. THE RIM BENT CAUSING THE TIRE TO DEFLATE. RIM NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10002885

Official recalls

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.

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.

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

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

Exterior Lighting:headlights

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.