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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

209 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2001
Visibility

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH MOLDING AROUND WINDSHIELD CAME OFF. ALL THAT REMAINED OF MOLDING WAS AROUND THE EDGE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. CONSUMER SLOWLY DROVE TO DEALER WHO REPLACED MOLDING.*AK *SLC

NHTSA ODI #892335

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringCrash

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH CONSUMER STATED WHEN STOP SUDDENLY AND BRAKES/ STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. CONSUMER ALSO STATED CONSUMER REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER AND DEALER STATED NOTHING WRONG WITH BRAKES. PLEASE PROVIDE VIN#

NHTSA ODI #891887

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringCrash

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH CONSUMER STOPPED SUDDENLY AND BRAKES/ STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. ALSO, VEHICLE REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER DIDN'T KNOW WHY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ODI #891886

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2001
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

SRS LIGHT HAS COME ON & OFF SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST 6000 MILES THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS REPLACED SEATS FOR THE SIDE AIRBAGS THE LIGHT STILL COMES ON & OFF THE CAR HAS RECENTLY BEEN IN A COLLISION THE FRONT AIRBAGS DID DEPLOY BEFORE I PICKED UP THE CAR THE SHOP MANAGER SAID THEY HAVE TO CHANGE THE DURAM? BECAUSE THE LIGHT WAS…

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SRS LIGHT HAS COME ON & OFF SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST 6000 MILES THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS REPLACED SEATS FOR THE SIDE AIRBAGS THE LIGHT STILL COMES ON & OFF THE CAR HAS RECENTLY BEEN IN A COLLISION THE FRONT AIRBAGS DID DEPLOY BEFORE I PICKED UP THE CAR THE SHOP MANAGER SAID THEY HAVE TO CHANGE THE DURAM? BECAUSE THE LIGHT WAS COMING ON & THEY HAD PUT THE WRONG ONE IN FOR ONLY FRONT AIRBAGS? I STILL BELIEVE IT'S THE SAME PROBLEM WE HAD BEFORE THE CAR WAS WRECKED. THE SECOND COMPLAINT THE WHEELS (RIMS) BEND AT EVERY 2000 MILES WE EVEN HAD A BLOW OUT AT 10 MILES AN HOUR IN TOWN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #747513

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2001
Electrical System

THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR WITH VERY LITTLE MILEAGE- THIS IS THE 2ND TIME I HAVE HAD THE CAR DIE ON ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING. 1ST TIME WAS ALSO FOR ELECTRICAL ISSUE WHICH TOOK A WEEK FOR THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE AND TO FIX IT. I SPOKE TO DEAN WHOM IS A SERVICE MANAGER AT SKYLINE MITUBISHI IN DENVER. HE HAD 2 MECHANICS WORKING ON MY CAR…

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THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR WITH VERY LITTLE MILEAGE- THIS IS THE 2ND TIME I HAVE HAD THE CAR DIE ON ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING. 1ST TIME WAS ALSO FOR ELECTRICAL ISSUE WHICH TOOK A WEEK FOR THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE AND TO FIX IT. I SPOKE TO DEAN WHOM IS A SERVICE MANAGER AT SKYLINE MITUBISHI IN DENVER. HE HAD 2 MECHANICS WORKING ON MY CAR FOR MOST OF THE DAY ON 6/20/01 HE SAID THERE WAS SO MUCH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR THAT THEY WERE STILL BAFFLED AT SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THAT THEY KEPT RUNNING INTO. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME MY CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING IT, LUCKILY NOBODY GOT INJURED IN BOTH INSTANCES WHIC LEFT ME AND MY FAMILY STRANDED FOR HOURS BEFORE EMERGENCY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FINALLY CAME TO ASSIST WHICH IS VERY VERY DISAPPOINTING. ESPECIALLY EITHER WHEN ITS LATE AT NIGHT OR IN 100 TEMPERATURE WHICH IT WAS WHEN THE LAST TIME THE CAR BROKE DOWN ON ME, AND I HAD A 6 MONTH OLD INFANT WHIC H WE HAD TO LOCATE SHELTEER TO KEEP THE INFANT COOL FROM THE EXTREME HEAT OF THE SUN.. I AM SO CONCERNED ABOUT THIS SAFETY HAZARD REOCCURING THAT I AM GOING TO CONTINUE TO FILE A COMPLAINGT WITH AS MANY AGENCIES AS POSSIBLE, UNTIL THERE IS SOME RESOLUTION. I (WE) DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE MITSUBISHI ANYLONGER I AM GOING TO ASK THE DEALERSHIP TO EXCHANGE MY VEHICLE FOR A DIFFERENT BRAND OF VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #747197

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2001
Air Bags

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO REPLACED PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. ON 26 FEB 2001, AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON BRIEFLY.TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AGAIN WHO REPLACED SENSOR. AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN ON 4 JUNE 2001. VEHICLE AT DEALER AT THIS TIME.*AK

NHTSA ODI #889773

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN DRIVING THERE IS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE, NOT THERE WHEN FIRST STARTING VEHICLE. STARTS A SHORT WHILE LATER ,AND GETS LOUDER THE LONGER VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO FOUND NOTHING WRONG. CONSUMER OPENED HOOD AND NOTICED SOUND COMING FROM DRIVERS SIDE OF ENGINE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #889767

Mileage unknown · May 25, 2001
StructureInjury

THE HATCHBACK WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE HAD A HANDLE TO PULL THE HATCHBACK DOWN THE OWNER 'S MANUAL SHOWS THAT HANDLE BUT MY CAR HAD AN ENCLOSUE INSIDE THE HATCHBACK ON THE RIGHT SIDE. MY HAND CAME OUT OF THE ENCLOSURE AND THE HATCHBACK CLOSED ON MY HAND AND FRACTURED MY THIRD FINGER ON MY RIGHT HAND.

NHTSA ODI #745909

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2001
Air Bags

AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON THE DASHBOARD FOR AIRBAG WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN FIXED THREE TIMES ALREADY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #885484

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2001
WheelsCrash

WHILE TRYING TO AVOID A SPIN OUT IN HEAVY SNOW. I TURNED TO INTO THE CURB TO HELP STOP MY CAR. MY WHEEL IS ALUMINUM SPOKE DESIGN. ALL THE SPOKES FRACTURED COMPLETELY OUT OF THE WHEEL. THE TIRE STILL HAD AIR. MY WHEEL CAME OFF. MY ROTOR HIT THE GROUND AND BUSTED. MY DAD WHO IS A MECHANIC CAME OUT BEFORE THE TOW TRUCK TOOK MY CAR…

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WHILE TRYING TO AVOID A SPIN OUT IN HEAVY SNOW. I TURNED TO INTO THE CURB TO HELP STOP MY CAR. MY WHEEL IS ALUMINUM SPOKE DESIGN. ALL THE SPOKES FRACTURED COMPLETELY OUT OF THE WHEEL. THE TIRE STILL HAD AIR. MY WHEEL CAME OFF. MY ROTOR HIT THE GROUND AND BUSTED. MY DAD WHO IS A MECHANIC CAME OUT BEFORE THE TOW TRUCK TOOK MY CAR OFF AND HE SAID HE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. THE SAME COMMENT CAME FROM THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MITSUBISHI. MY CAR IS LOW AND THE ONLY BODY DAMAGE WAS FROM WHEN THE WHEEL DROPPED OFF ADDED TO WHEN THE TOW TRUCK LIFTED MY FRONT END. I WAS ALREADY IN ANTILOCK MODE AND NOT GOING VERY FAST IN HEAVY SNOW CONDITIONS. AT THE MOST I SHOULD ONLY HAVE GOTTEN A FLAT OR BENT RIM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #742919

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