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2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Eclipse years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse are substantially higher than the model-year median of 49.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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
144,000 miles · Jul 24, 2015
Electrical System

MY VEHICLE HAS A BAD PAINT JOB, NEEDS TO BE REPAINTED. THE HEATER COIL IS LEAKING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED HAD ESTIMATE OF $1030.44 WITH NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE DASH WILL COME OUT IN ONE PIECE AND CAN BE PUT BACK INTO THE CAR WITHOUT BREAKING INTO SEVERAL PIECES. I FEEL THAT MITSUBISH PUT BAD PAINT JOBS ON THE CARS AND THEY SHOUL…

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MY VEHICLE HAS A BAD PAINT JOB, NEEDS TO BE REPAINTED. THE HEATER COIL IS LEAKING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED HAD ESTIMATE OF $1030.44 WITH NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE DASH WILL COME OUT IN ONE PIECE AND CAN BE PUT BACK INTO THE CAR WITHOUT BREAKING INTO SEVERAL PIECES. I FEEL THAT MITSUBISH PUT BAD PAINT JOBS ON THE CARS AND THEY SHOULD BE THE ONES TO REPAINT THE CAR, AND REPLACE THE HEATER COIL SO THE I WILL HAVE WORKING DEFROSTERS. MA 10/29/2015 UPDATED 12/06/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10743320

132,000 miles · Jul 24, 2015
Exterior LightingFuel/propulsion SystemSuspension

FUEL MILEAGE IS BAD AND WHEN FILLING UP IF YOU CAN IT KEEPS CLICKING AND SMELLING LIKE FUEL INSIDE CAR. NO LIGHTING IN CAR AT ALL. HAD TO REPLACE SUSPENSION AS THE BOLTS WERE WORN. PAINT CHIPPING ALL OVER CAR. COOLING SYSTEM KEEPS FAILING AND SOMEHOW I HAVE WATER KEEPS COMING IN ON FLOOR BOARDS AND THE FLOOR IS SOAKED AND ST…

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FUEL MILEAGE IS BAD AND WHEN FILLING UP IF YOU CAN IT KEEPS CLICKING AND SMELLING LIKE FUEL INSIDE CAR. NO LIGHTING IN CAR AT ALL. HAD TO REPLACE SUSPENSION AS THE BOLTS WERE WORN. PAINT CHIPPING ALL OVER CAR. COOLING SYSTEM KEEPS FAILING AND SOMEHOW I HAVE WATER KEEPS COMING IN ON FLOOR BOARDS AND THE FLOOR IS SOAKED AND STINKS.

NHTSA ODI #10736178

109,000 miles · Mar 23, 2015
StructureVisibility/wiper

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HATCH BACK AND SUN ROOF HAD WATER LEAKAGE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA ODI #10701095

161,900 miles · May 19, 2013
Wheels

DRIVING ON RESIDENTIAL STREET (APPROX. 20 MPH). CAR SHIFTED SLIGHTLY TO RIGHT AS I WAS ROUNDING A CURVE. CAME TO STOP SIGN AND REAR RIGHT WHEEL FELL OFF. THE HUB CRACKED AND BROKE OFF AT BEARING.. IT WAS A VERY CLEAN CUT AS THOUGH THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE HUB. CAR TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. $300 REPAIR BILL. REPAIRMAN SAID HE…

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DRIVING ON RESIDENTIAL STREET (APPROX. 20 MPH). CAR SHIFTED SLIGHTLY TO RIGHT AS I WAS ROUNDING A CURVE. CAME TO STOP SIGN AND REAR RIGHT WHEEL FELL OFF. THE HUB CRACKED AND BROKE OFF AT BEARING.. IT WAS A VERY CLEAN CUT AS THOUGH THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE HUB. CAR TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. $300 REPAIR BILL. REPAIRMAN SAID HE HAS NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE IN THE 40 YEARS HE HAS BEEN REPAIRING CARS. COULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS HAD I BEEN DRIVING AT A HIGHER SPEED AS ON AN OPEN HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10512693

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2013
Structure

I HAVE A 2003 STERLING SILVER METALLIC ECLIPSE WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN 2002. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON MY HOOD, ROOF AND TRUCK HAVE STARTED TO DELAMINATE AND THE PRIMER IS STARTING TO SHOW THROUGH. I ONLY HAVE 73,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE NOTICED A LOT OF OTHER 2003 ECLIPSES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, IN THE SAME CO…

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I HAVE A 2003 STERLING SILVER METALLIC ECLIPSE WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN 2002. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON MY HOOD, ROOF AND TRUCK HAVE STARTED TO DELAMINATE AND THE PRIMER IS STARTING TO SHOW THROUGH. I ONLY HAVE 73,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE NOTICED A LOT OF OTHER 2003 ECLIPSES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, IN THE SAME COLOR AS MINE AND ALSO IN BLACK. I WENT TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED MY ECLIPSE AND WAS TOLD THAT MITSUBISHI WAS HAVING A PAINT ISSUE FOR THIS MODEL. I AM HOPING THAT MITSUBISHI WILL STAND BEHIND THEIR NAME AND MAKE THIS RIGHT. I ALSO PURCHASED A 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO IN 2002 AND THAT PAINT JOB LOOKS LIKE THE DAY I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT 2 OF THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10491944

95,000 miles · Feb 13, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD IDLE LOW, CAUSING IT TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. NO REPAIRS WER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD IDLE LOW, CAUSING IT TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,450.

NHTSA ODI #10447784

68,000 miles · Oct 2, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineUnknown Or Other

THIS VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED STALLING WHETHER IDLING, ACCELORATING, OR COASTING. IT WOULD THEN HAVE TROUBLE STARTING AND RUN FINE AGAIN. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE MITSUBSHI DEALERSHIP ON WESTERN BLVD IN JACKSONVILLE, NC, THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE IT BUT FOUND IN THEIR DATA BASE THAT THERE IS A TINY PART IN THE CRANK SHAFT THAT COULD…

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THIS VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED STALLING WHETHER IDLING, ACCELORATING, OR COASTING. IT WOULD THEN HAVE TROUBLE STARTING AND RUN FINE AGAIN. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE MITSUBSHI DEALERSHIP ON WESTERN BLVD IN JACKSONVILLE, NC, THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE IT BUT FOUND IN THEIR DATA BASE THAT THERE IS A TINY PART IN THE CRANK SHAFT THAT COULD CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. AFTER WAITING A WEEK FOR PARTS THEY REALIZED THEY HAD THE WRONG TOOL. ANOTHER WEEK WAITING FOR THE TOOL AND THE NEW PART DDID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER WEEK OF KEEPING MY CAR THEY REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTION REGULATOR WITH A USED PART, THIS DID NOT FIX IT. ANOTHER WEEK WITH A NEW FUEL INJECTOR. NOW IT DOES NOT STALL BUT I CANT GET GAS IN THE GAS TANK, THE CAR SMELLS LIKE GAS, THERE IS STILL OCCASIONAL STALLING, AND THE NEW TIMING BELT THEY PUT ON SCREECHES WITH THE FIRST START OF THE DAY EVERYDAY. THE GAS TANK PROBLEM IS FOUND TO BE THAT THE VALVE IS STUCK IN THE FULL AND CLOSED POSITION AND WHOLE NEW GAS TANKIS RECOMMENDED. ANOTHER TWO WEEKS AND STILL WAITING ON THE GAS TANK. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE AUGUST 22ND AND IT IS NOW OCTOBER FIRST AND MY CAR IS STILL UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WAITING FOR PARTS. HOW IS IT THAT MITSUBISHI CAN ALLOW THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO TAKE THIS LONG, COST THIS MUCH, AND TO RETURN A VEHICLE TO THE CUSTOMER IN WORSE SHAPE THAN IT WAS GIVEN? I PAID FOR ALL OF THESE NEW PARTS AND LABOR, AND STILL HAVE A VEHICLE THAT I CANT USE. ALSO, AS A SIDE NOTE, IT IS BLACK WHICH MEANS THE CHEAP FACTORY CLEAR COAT IS COMING OFF, THE AC LEAKS ON THE DRIVERSIDE FLOOR, THE TRUNK DOES NOT OPEN WHEN YOU PULL THE LEVER...THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT SHOULD NOT BE EXPIRED ON AN 03 VEHICLE AND ARE SO COMMON WITH THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10428608

68,000 miles · Oct 2, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

THIS VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED STALLING WHETHER IDLING, ACCELERATING, OR COASTING. IT WOULD THEN HAVE TROUBLE STARTING AND RUN FINE AGAIN. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE MITSUBSHI DEALERSHIP ON WESTERN BLVD IN JACKSONVILLE, NC, THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE IT BUT FOUND IN THEIR DATA BASE THAT THERE IS A TINY PART IN THE CRANK SHAFT THAT COULD…

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THIS VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED STALLING WHETHER IDLING, ACCELERATING, OR COASTING. IT WOULD THEN HAVE TROUBLE STARTING AND RUN FINE AGAIN. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE MITSUBSHI DEALERSHIP ON WESTERN BLVD IN JACKSONVILLE, NC, THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE IT BUT FOUND IN THEIR DATA BASE THAT THERE IS A TINY PART IN THE CRANK SHAFT THAT COULD CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. AFTER WAITING A WEEK FOR PARTS THEY REALIZED THEY HAD THE WRONG TOOL. ANOTHER WEEK WAITING FOR THE TOOL AND THE NEW PART DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER WEEK OF KEEPING MY CAR THEY REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTION REGULATOR WITH A USED PART, THIS DID NOT FIX IT. ANOTHER WEEK WITH A NEW FUEL INJECTOR. NOW IT DOES NOT STALL BUT I CANT GET GAS IN THE GAS TANK, THE CAR SMELLS LIKE GAS, THERE IS STILL OCCASIONAL STALLING, AND THE NEW TIMING BELT THEY PUT ON SCREECHES WITH THE FIRST START OF THE DAY EVERYDAY. THE GAS TANK PROBLEM IS FOUND TO BE THAT THE VALVE IS STUCK IN THE FULL AND CLOSED POSITION AND WHOLE NEW GAS TANKIS RECOMMENDED. ANOTHER TWO WEEKS AND STILL WAITING ON THE GAS TANK. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE AUGUST 22ND AND IT IS NOW OCTOBER FIRST AND MY CAR IS STILL UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WAITING FOR PARTS. HOW IS IT THAT MITSUBISHI CAN ALLOW THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO TAKE THIS LONG, COST THIS MUCH, AND TO RETURN A VEHICLE TO THE CUSTOMER IN WORSE SHAPE THAN IT WAS GIVEN? I PAID FOR ALL OF THESE NEW PARTS AND LABOR, AND STILL HAVE A VEHICLE THAT I CANT USE. ALSO, AS A SIDE NOTE, IT IS BLACK WHICH MEANS THE CHEAP FACTORY CLEAR COAT IS COMING OFF, THE AC LEAKS ON THE DRIVERSIDE FLOOR, THE TRUNK DOES NOT OPEN WHEN YOU PULL THE LEVER...THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT SHOULD NOT BE EXPIRED ON AN 03 VEHICLE AND ARE SO COMMON WITH THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10428223

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY TWO MECHANICS FROM DIFFERENT SHOPS; BOTH OF WHICH SUSPECT THE PROBLEM WITH MY FUEL SYSTEM MAY BE RELATED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM RECALL FOR THE 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. *TT I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO GET MORE INFORMATION. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY VEHICLE HAD NOT …

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THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY TWO MECHANICS FROM DIFFERENT SHOPS; BOTH OF WHICH SUSPECT THE PROBLEM WITH MY FUEL SYSTEM MAY BE RELATED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM RECALL FOR THE 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. *TT I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO GET MORE INFORMATION. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN SERVICED FOR THE RECALL. HOWEVER, I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AS THE RECALLED VEHICLE AND IS HAVING PROBLEMS IN THE SAME CATEGORY. I AM CONCERNED MY VEHICLE MAY HAVE PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM RECALL. IF SO, I WOULD LIKE THIS ISSUE TO BE PROPERLY ADDRESSED.

NHTSA ODI #10425893

Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2011
Tires

2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE, WAS WEST BOUND ON OHIO TURNPIKE, SHE HEARD A POP THEN SAW HER FRONT TIRE COME OFF THE VEHICLE AND SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD ONTO THE RIGHT BEAM. *BF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE SHEARED OFF. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE ROTOR AND SCRAPES TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BUMPER. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0898-90) U…

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2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE, WAS WEST BOUND ON OHIO TURNPIKE, SHE HEARD A POP THEN SAW HER FRONT TIRE COME OFF THE VEHICLE AND SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD ONTO THE RIGHT BEAM. *BF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE SHEARED OFF. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE ROTOR AND SCRAPES TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BUMPER. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0898-90) UPDATED 02/15/11 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10381788

Official recalls

3

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.

03V442000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Nov 4, 2003

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.