Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
280–25K
2025–50K
950–75K
475–100K
9100–150K
5150K+
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
Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2006
Latches/locks/linkages
SERVICE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO POP HOOD FOR SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE. APPARENTLY THE HOOD RELEASE CABLE BROKE OR CAME LOOSE FROM THE HOOD LATCH RELEASE MECHANISM. TECHNICIAN SUGGESTED TO TAKE TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY MAY BE MORE FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE HOOD AND STATED THAT FRONT BUMPER PROBABLY…
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SERVICE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO POP HOOD FOR SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE. APPARENTLY THE HOOD RELEASE CABLE BROKE OR CAME LOOSE FROM THE HOOD LATCH RELEASE MECHANISM. TECHNICIAN SUGGESTED TO TAKE TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY MAY BE MORE FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE HOOD AND STATED THAT FRONT BUMPER PROBABLY WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED BY CUTTING IT OFF TO ACCESS THE STUCK HOOD LATCH. THIS WOULD BE A $400 MINIMUM REPAIR, NOT INCLUDING THE OIL CHANGE, WHICH THE OWNER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10158879
Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 40 MPH AND LET UP ON THE GAS PEDAL BEFORE I WAS GOING TO BRAKE. THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND WOULDN'T STOP. COMING TO A RED LIGHT I STARTED TO PRESS FIRMLY ON MY BRAKES AND WHILE IT MANAGED TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN SOME IT WOULDN'T COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I SLOWED DOWN JUST ENOUG…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 40 MPH AND LET UP ON THE GAS PEDAL BEFORE I WAS GOING TO BRAKE. THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND WOULDN'T STOP. COMING TO A RED LIGHT I STARTED TO PRESS FIRMLY ON MY BRAKES AND WHILE IT MANAGED TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN SOME IT WOULDN'T COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I SLOWED DOWN JUST ENOUGH WAYS BACK FROM THE LIGHT THAT WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I WAS ABLE TO LET UP ON THE BRAKE WITH OUT GOING INTO TRAFFIC. IT THEN ACCELERATED VERY QUICKLY AGAIN. THE CAR SOUNDED AS IF IT SHIFTED AND STOP ACCELERATING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN A WAYS IN FRONT OF THE LIGHT I DIDN'T HIT ANYONE WHILE THEIR LIGHT WAS GREEN. I HAD CARS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF ME THAT I WASN'T ABLE TO GET OVER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10158843
77,992 miles · May 23, 2006
Visibility
SUN ROOF EXPLODED AND SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY ON A CLEAR NIGHT, NO ROCKS ON THE ROAD WAY, AND ONE VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY HALF A MILE AHEAD WHEN MY GLASS SHATTERED. WHEN THE CLOSED SUN ROOF EXPLODED AND SHATTERED IT SOUNDED LIKE A SOMETHING FELL FROM THE SKY ON THE ROOF OF MY VEHICLE, I PULLE…
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SUN ROOF EXPLODED AND SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY ON A CLEAR NIGHT, NO ROCKS ON THE ROAD WAY, AND ONE VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY HALF A MILE AHEAD WHEN MY GLASS SHATTERED. WHEN THE CLOSED SUN ROOF EXPLODED AND SHATTERED IT SOUNDED LIKE A SOMETHING FELL FROM THE SKY ON THE ROOF OF MY VEHICLE, I PULLED OVER TO CHECK WHAT HAD HAPPENED, BUT THERE WAS ONLY THE SHATTERED GLASS ALL OVER THE ROOF AND TRUNK OF MY CAR. I INSPECTED THE SHATTERED GLASS LAYING ON THE ROOF, INTERIOR SLIDE AND TRUNK OF MY VEHICLE FOR ANYTHING THAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE SUN ROOF SHATTER, YET THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS DAMAGE. FORTUNATELY THE INTERIOR ROOF SLIDE WAS CLOSED, STOPPING THE EXPLODING SHATTERED GLASS FROM INJURING MY DAUGHTER AND I SITTING IN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS BELOW THE SUN ROOF. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY DEFECT WHICH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY AND/OR DEATH IF THE INTERIOR ROOF SLIDE IS NOT CLOSED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10158108
41,000 miles · May 22, 2006
Equipment
AIR CONDITIONING REFRIGERANT PIPE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT IS ALMOST SITTING ON TOP OF THE RADIATOR BRACKET AND MOVES ONTO THE BRACKET WITH NORMAL VIBRATIONS OF THE CAR. THE AIR HAS BEEN SLOWLY GETTING WARMER UNTIL IT FINALLY QUIT ALTOGETHER; I WAS TOLD THAT ANYONE COULD HAVE MOVED THE PIPE OVER AND CAUSED IT TO BE ON THE BRA…
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AIR CONDITIONING REFRIGERANT PIPE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT IS ALMOST SITTING ON TOP OF THE RADIATOR BRACKET AND MOVES ONTO THE BRACKET WITH NORMAL VIBRATIONS OF THE CAR. THE AIR HAS BEEN SLOWLY GETTING WARMER UNTIL IT FINALLY QUIT ALTOGETHER; I WAS TOLD THAT ANYONE COULD HAVE MOVED THE PIPE OVER AND CAUSED IT TO BE ON THE BRACKET. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10158008
36,800 miles · Apr 24, 2006
Power Train
AT APPROXIMATELY 36,500 MILES OR SO NOTICED THE CAR NOT WANTING TO "GRIP" ON TAKE OFF. SEEMED TO WANT TO REV HIGHER RANDOMLY.. OVER A PERIOD OF 2 DAYS WENT FROM NO BIG DEAL TO NOT BEING ABLE TO DRIVE. I HAVE HAD PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS (2 OTHER PERSONAL VEHICLES ). I CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND WARRANTY PROVID…
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AT APPROXIMATELY 36,500 MILES OR SO NOTICED THE CAR NOT WANTING TO "GRIP" ON TAKE OFF. SEEMED TO WANT TO REV HIGHER RANDOMLY.. OVER A PERIOD OF 2 DAYS WENT FROM NO BIG DEAL TO NOT BEING ABLE TO DRIVE. I HAVE HAD PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS (2 OTHER PERSONAL VEHICLES ). I CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND WARRANTY PROVIDER TO FIND OUT THIS IS NORMAL AND CONSIDERED WEAR AND TEAR. HAVE BEEN PRICED UPWARDS OF 1000 USD IF NOT MORE TO REPLACE THIS CLUTCH. AND I JUST GOT THIS CAR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10155931
37,946 miles · Apr 13, 2006
Steering
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND WENT TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN BUT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY TIGHT AND HARD TO TURN. WAS ABLE TO MAKE TURN. BROUGHT CAR BACK TO DEALER THAT DAY. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT BUT DECIDED TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING POWER. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10155260
19,000 miles · Dec 1, 2005
Power Train
I BOUGHT MY CAR IN OCTOBER OF 2003 AND IMMEDIATELY I NOTICED A GRINDING COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I TOOK IT INTO LANCASTER MITSUBISHI IN PENNSYLVANIA AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A COMMON TRANS NOISE. A COUPLE OF WEEKS PASSED BY AND THE NOISE KEPT GETTING LOUDER AND NOW MY CLUTCH IS SLIPPING. I HAVE NEVER BEAT OR RACED MY CAR. I…
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I BOUGHT MY CAR IN OCTOBER OF 2003 AND IMMEDIATELY I NOTICED A GRINDING COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I TOOK IT INTO LANCASTER MITSUBISHI IN PENNSYLVANIA AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A COMMON TRANS NOISE. A COUPLE OF WEEKS PASSED BY AND THE NOISE KEPT GETTING LOUDER AND NOW MY CLUTCH IS SLIPPING. I HAVE NEVER BEAT OR RACED MY CAR. IT IS ONE OF THE BEST CARS I HAVE EVER OWNED AND THE ONE OF THE MOST RELIABLE. I DON'T HAVE MUCH CHOICE TO KEEP DRIVING IT THE WAY IT IS AND IT IS GETTING WORSE. PRETTY SOON I WILL BE OUT OF A CAR. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10144119
23,000 miles · Nov 17, 2005
Power Train
I HAVE A 2003 MITUBISHI ECLIPSE WITH 23,000 MILES ON IT AND THE CLUTCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ALREADY, IN THE MORNING THE FRONT WHEELS JUMP AND SHIFTING INTO 1ST AND 2ND GEAR IS A NIGHTMARE ! *NM
NHTSA ODI #10143022
Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2005
Tires
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE TIRE ON THE LEFT REAR SIDE BLEW OUT. SHE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT WITH THE SAME TYPE OF TIRE TWICE. THESE WERE THE ORIGINAL TIRES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. SHE DID NOT HAVE TIRE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER. THEY HAVE A …
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE TIRE ON THE LEFT REAR SIDE BLEW OUT. SHE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT WITH THE SAME TYPE OF TIRE TWICE. THESE WERE THE ORIGINAL TIRES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. SHE DID NOT HAVE TIRE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER. THEY HAVE A HISTORY REPORT ON THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10141751
Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2005
Wheels
I HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GTS. IT HAS ABOUT 75,000 MILES ON IT NOW. I HAVE NOW BENT 4 WHEELS ON THIS MODEL. THEY KEEP BLAMING IT ON ME, SAYING ITS MY DRIVING, BUT AFTER THE FOURTH TIME, I KNOW IT IS NOT ME. I SHOULD NOT BE REGULARLY BENDING WHEELS ON A CAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE VAST MAJORITY OF MY DRIVING IS HIGHWAY DRIVIN…
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I HAVE A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GTS. IT HAS ABOUT 75,000 MILES ON IT NOW. I HAVE NOW BENT 4 WHEELS ON THIS MODEL. THEY KEEP BLAMING IT ON ME, SAYING ITS MY DRIVING, BUT AFTER THE FOURTH TIME, I KNOW IT IS NOT ME. I SHOULD NOT BE REGULARLY BENDING WHEELS ON A CAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE VAST MAJORITY OF MY DRIVING IS HIGHWAY DRIVING. *JB
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.
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.
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.
2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year