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2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Eclipse years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse are substantially higher than the model-year median of 49.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

80 reports with mileage · 129 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 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

24 crash reports6 fire reports12 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

14 reports
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70,000 miles · Sep 15, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OR DIES THAT LOCKS THE STEERING WHEEL AFTER 10 TO 20 MINUTES YOU COULD REVIVE THE ENGINE AGAIN USUALLY HAPPEN EVERY DAY . WENT TO THE DEALER WITH SERVICE BULLETIN THAT MIGHT AFFECT ON IT BUT THEY SAY NO PROBLEM ON IT AND THEY VOID THE SERVICE BULLETIN OR TRY TO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10242367

25,000 miles · Dec 5, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE HEAD LIGHTS MELTED. ALSO, THE OIL LIGHT WAS COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE OIL VALVE WAS REPLACED. THESE REPAIRS WERE MADE AT THE CON…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE HEAD LIGHTS MELTED. ALSO, THE OIL LIGHT WAS COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE OIL VALVE WAS REPLACED. THESE REPAIRS WERE MADE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. *AK...HEADLIGHTS DID NOT BLINK BUT WENT OFF ALTOGETHER. WHEN THE CONSUMER REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER, WAS TOLD WE SEE THIS ALL THE TIME WITH THAT MAKE AND MODEL. CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW WHY THERE WAS NO RECALL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10144459

30 miles · Apr 25, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingSuspension

NOT ONLY DO I HAVE THE AGGREVATION OF BENT RIMS AND FLAT TIRES, AND FINANCIAL HARDSHIP ON THIS, MY LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR DOESN'T ALIGN TO THE RIGHT. WATER LEEKS IN ON THE LEFT SIDE. SOMETIMES THE HEATER BLOWS OUT COOL AIR. THE SUNROOF SHAKES WHEN OPENING. I ALREADY HAD A MANUFACUTERS DEFECT IN MY STRUT ON THE LEFT SIDE. I HAVE S…

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NOT ONLY DO I HAVE THE AGGREVATION OF BENT RIMS AND FLAT TIRES, AND FINANCIAL HARDSHIP ON THIS, MY LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR DOESN'T ALIGN TO THE RIGHT. WATER LEEKS IN ON THE LEFT SIDE. SOMETIMES THE HEATER BLOWS OUT COOL AIR. THE SUNROOF SHAKES WHEN OPENING. I ALREADY HAD A MANUFACUTERS DEFECT IN MY STRUT ON THE LEFT SIDE. I HAVE SCTRACHES ON THE LEFT SIDE FOM THE CAR SCRAPPING THE GROUND WHEN I MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN. I HAD TO HAVE THE COOLING SYSTEM REPLACED THE FIRST WEEK I FINANCED IT.MY HOOD WON'T OPEN AND MY HEADLIGHTS FAIL CAUSING ME TO DIRVE ONLY WITH THE FOG LIGHTS. ALL THESE ISSUES ARE THE SAME AND CONSTANT SINCE I PURCHASED THIS LEMON.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10118406

19,000 miles · Sep 5, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WE PURCHASED A 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE FROM CARMAX IN CHARLOTTE, NC IN AUGUST OF 2003. THE CAR HAD 19K MILES. AFTER DRIVING LESS THE 100 MILES THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE HAD THE CAR SERVICED BY CARMAX 4 DIFFERNT TIMES, THEY REPLACED 2 O2 SENSORS. AFTER THE 4TH SERVICE THEY REFERRED US TO A MITSUBISHI DEALER. THAT …

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WE PURCHASED A 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE FROM CARMAX IN CHARLOTTE, NC IN AUGUST OF 2003. THE CAR HAD 19K MILES. AFTER DRIVING LESS THE 100 MILES THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE HAD THE CAR SERVICED BY CARMAX 4 DIFFERNT TIMES, THEY REPLACED 2 O2 SENSORS. AFTER THE 4TH SERVICE THEY REFERRED US TO A MITSUBISHI DEALER. THAT DEALER ALSO REPLACED AT LEAST TWO O2 SENSORS. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON ABOUT EVERY 50 -60 MILES. WE TRIED TWO OTHER MITSUBISHI DEALERS FOR A TOTAL OF 11 SERVICE VISITS OVER A 12 MONTH PERIOD. ONE DEALER CHANGE THE ENGINE CONTROL COMPUTER AND AN O2 SENSOR. THE PROBLE REAPPEARED AFTER ABOUT 100 MILES. DURING THIS TIME I REPEATEDLY CALLED THE MITSUBISHI CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER WITHOUT GETTING ANY ASSISATANCE. I ALSO CONTACTED THE SOUTHEASTERN SALES MANAGER DAVID SULLIVAN WHO WAS A TOTAL WASTE. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED AND I FEEL I WAS DEFRAUDED BY BOTH CARMAX AND MITSUBISHI. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10090468

77,439 miles · Jun 22, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION. *JB A SERVICE TIMING BELT TENSIONER WAS INSTALLED AND THE ENGINE DISPLAYED AN INTERNAL NOISE WHEN STARTED DUE TO A SHORT BLOCK. (OTHER CONTACT NUMBER FOR THE CONSUMER ARE: DAY/510-879-2980 & EVE…

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WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION. *JB A SERVICE TIMING BELT TENSIONER WAS INSTALLED AND THE ENGINE DISPLAYED AN INTERNAL NOISE WHEN STARTED DUE TO A SHORT BLOCK. (OTHER CONTACT NUMBER FOR THE CONSUMER ARE: DAY/510-879-2980 & EVE/707-552-1665) *SC

NHTSA ODI #10074189

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2002
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingCrashInjury

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AT 70 MPH WHEN INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION ENGINE FLEW OUT OF VEHICLE AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. MR

NHTSA ODI #8024227

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE IS MISFIRING, VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE THE SAME POWER THAT IT USED TO. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING DO ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8012407

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

ENGINE IS MISSING. GAS IS NOT CIRCULATING THROUGHOUT ENGINE. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON AND OFF. DEALER CAN'T FIND CAUSE. *AK CONSUMER ADDS ENGINE NOT PRODUCING ENOUGH POWER. ALSO EXPERIENCING POOR GAS MILEAGE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #8011790

Mileage unknown · May 7, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

CONSUMER STATES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH, DEALER REPLACED THE O2 SENSOR, HOWEVER VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING STALLING WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, DEALER HAS NOT REMEDIED PROBLEM, CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, THERE IS A TERRIBLE NOISE EMITTED. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #565709

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2002
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMERS VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. ALSO WHEN STARTED, VEHICLE EMITS A TERRIBLE NOISE THAT IS NOT NORMAL. *JG

NHTSA ODI #565317

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.

01V069000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Mar 8, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A BULGE IN THE FUEL TANK CAUSED BY THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS RESULTED IN THINNING OF THE MATERIAL DURING A WELDING OPERATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF FUEL LEAKAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 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 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.

01V005001 · Seats

Jan 8, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A NUMBER OF INCORRECT DRIVER SIDE SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS WERE INSTALLED INTO VEHICLES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE REAR ANCHOR BOLTS SECURING THE DRIVER'S SEAT MAY NOT PROPERLY SECURE THE SEAT AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF DRIVER INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS AND THEN REPLACE THE BOLTS IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 15, 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.

00V299001 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Oct 2, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HARNESS FOR THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH A NEW PROTECTIVE SHIELD CAUSING A GROUNDED CIRCUIT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: PROLONGED WIRING HARNESS CONTACT WITH THE HEAT SHIELD WILL CAUSE THE WIRING INSULATION TO WEAR AND EVENTUALLY TO GROUND OUT. THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO DIE-OUT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HARNESS.

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

4

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.

PE01006 · Front Shoulder Belt Webbing Guide

Opened Mar 1, 2001 · Closed Nov 6, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:webbing

ALLEGED THAT THE ANCHOR BOLT FOR THE FRONT SHOULDER BELT FUIDE IS LOOSE OR MIS-INSTALLED