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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
5,004 miles · Jan 14, 2005
TiresCrash

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE EXPLODED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE WENT INTO A SPIN AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER IN HIS POSSESSION. *TC

NHTSA ODI #10101765

34,530 miles · Dec 29, 2004
Steering

I AM FILING A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE STEERING MECHANISM IN MY 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GT - ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2004 - I WAS GOING HOME FROM WORK AND MY STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME STIFF AND I WAS ALMOST UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR ENOUGH TO GET TO MY HOME. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE INTERMITTENT. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER THE FACTORY …

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I AM FILING A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE STEERING MECHANISM IN MY 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GT - ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2004 - I WAS GOING HOME FROM WORK AND MY STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME STIFF AND I WAS ALMOST UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR ENOUGH TO GET TO MY HOME. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE INTERMITTENT. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY AND I CALLED MITSUBISHI WHO HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. I HAVE NOT GOTTEN MY CAR BACK AND IT IS STILL IN THE SHOP; HOWEVER, I FIND THIS ISSUE TO BE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE IN TERMS OF CONSUMERS OF THIS PRODUCT. I DID RESEARCH PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS ON YOUR SITE AND SEE THE SAME ISSUE WAS NOTED UNDER THE COMPONENTS OF STEERING WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR FOR THE 2003 ECLIPSE PRODUCT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10104689

Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2004
StructureSuspensionVisibility

HAVE A 2003 ECLIPSE AND MANY MANY PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASING. AFTER REGULAR SCHEDULED TIRE BALANCE AND ROTATION, TOOK THE CAR BACK BECAUSE OF SHAKING AT 50-60 MPH, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE RIMS WERE BENT, AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, AND THEY DID (RIGHT AFTER BALANCE AND ROTATING? WOULD THEY BALANCE IF THE RIMS WERE BE…

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HAVE A 2003 ECLIPSE AND MANY MANY PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASING. AFTER REGULAR SCHEDULED TIRE BALANCE AND ROTATION, TOOK THE CAR BACK BECAUSE OF SHAKING AT 50-60 MPH, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE RIMS WERE BENT, AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, AND THEY DID (RIGHT AFTER BALANCE AND ROTATING? WOULD THEY BALANCE IF THE RIMS WERE BENT?) HAD MY CAR IN NUMEROUS TIMES FOR MOISTURE IN MY WINDOWS WHEN PUTTING THEM DOWN AND BACK UP, A LOT OF MOISTURE AND BAD VISIBILITY, REPLACED STRIPS WHICH HELPED MOLD SMELL, BUT CAN'T FIX THE MOISTURE. B/C OF THE BAD VISIBILITY I AM EXTRA CAREFUL, BUT MY CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. RECENTLY THE MOLDING ON THE WINDSHIELD WAS COMING LOOSE, THE DEALERSHIP FIXED IT (SENT IT TO A WINDOW PLACE) AND SINCE THEN I HAVE A FILM ON MY WINDSHIELD WHICH MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE...I HAVE CLEANED THE GLASS NUMEROUS TIMES, MY WIPERS WERE FAIRLY NEW, MITSBUSHI WOULDN'T LOOK AT IT WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR ANOTHER RIM REPLACEMENT. MY CAR STILL SHAKES, MY WINDOWS AND WINDSHIELD HAVE BAD VISIBILITY PROBLEMS, AND NOW MY SUNROOF BUTTON HAS POPPED OUT AND WILL NOT OPEN UNLESS I HOLD IT IN FIRST. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10098389

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2004
Structure

PAINT PEELING OFF BUMPER. CLEAR COAT PEELING OFF DRIVERS SIDE ROCKER PANEL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10095722

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingPower Train

I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT REGARDING MY MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GTS 2003. THE PRODUCT HAS NOT PERFORMED WELL BECAUSE DURING THE SIX MONTHS THAT I HAVE HAD MY BRAND NEW CAR, I HAD TO BRING IT FOR SEVERAL REPAIRS. FIRST, THE CAR WENT TO THE SHOP AT MITSUBISHI BOSAK CHICAGO FOR A LOOSE BOLT, SECOND THE CAR HAD A LEAK ON THE COOLAN…

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I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT REGARDING MY MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GTS 2003. THE PRODUCT HAS NOT PERFORMED WELL BECAUSE DURING THE SIX MONTHS THAT I HAVE HAD MY BRAND NEW CAR, I HAD TO BRING IT FOR SEVERAL REPAIRS. FIRST, THE CAR WENT TO THE SHOP AT MITSUBISHI BOSAK CHICAGO FOR A LOOSE BOLT, SECOND THE CAR HAD A LEAK ON THE COOLANT SYSTEM, THIRD THE WHEEL WAS NO LONGER ALIGNED, AND FOURTH THE REAR DEFROSTER DOES NOT DEFROST PROPERLY. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED OF THAT MATTER BECAUSE ONE OF THE REASON I INVESTED MY MONEY IN BUYING A BRAND NEW CAR AND CHOOSING MITSUBISHI SO I DONT HAVE TO SPEND MORE TIME IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR AND SPEND MORE CASH. THE CAR WAS ONLY SIX MONTHS OLD AND ALREADY EXPERIENCING A LOT OF PROBLEMS, NOW THE CAR HAS BEEN A YEAR AND I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO MITSUBISHI BOSAK DEALER TO HAVE THE REAR LIGHT FIXED BECAUSE WATER WAS GOING INSIDE AND STILL WAITING TO HAVE THE SUNROOF TO BE FIX BECAUSE IT DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY AND THE AXLE OF THE CAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACE. THEY WOULDNT REPLACE IT RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE ITEM TO BE DELIVERED. WHAT IF DURING THAT TIME OF WAIT SOMETHING HAPPEN TO THE CAR? (MAY GOD FORBID) I HAVE BEFORE TRY TO COMPLAIN WITH THE MITSUBISHI HEADQUARTER IN CALIFORNIA, BUT THE PERSON WOULDNT DO ANYTHING. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE OF MY CAR. I THINK THAT THE COMPANY SHOULD CHECK THEIR ENTIRE PRODUCT BEFORE SELLING IT TO THE PUBLIC. DRIVING MY ECLIPSE IS SOMETHING THAT I FEAR BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THE CARS DEFECT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10091344

11,940 miles · Sep 4, 2004
Power TrainCrashInjury

I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE CAR BESIDES HAVING TO TAKE IT IN WITHIN LIKE 3 MONTHS TO REPLACE A DEFFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE AM A PERSON THAT HAVE BEEN IN MANY CLOSE ACCIDENT CALLS THROUGHOUT MY LIFE SO I AM NOT A PERSON WHO TAKES THE CAR TO THE LIMIT WHATSOEVER. I HAVE HAD …

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I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE CAR BESIDES HAVING TO TAKE IT IN WITHIN LIKE 3 MONTHS TO REPLACE A DEFFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE AM A PERSON THAT HAVE BEEN IN MANY CLOSE ACCIDENT CALLS THROUGHOUT MY LIFE SO I AM NOT A PERSON WHO TAKES THE CAR TO THE LIMIT WHATSOEVER. I HAVE HAD DEFECTIVE CARS ALL MY LIFE. MY FIRST CAR I WAS IN A NEAR DEATH CALL IN MY FIRST ACCIDENT WHEN A MAN IN A RUSH DECIDED TO TRY TO PASS ME WHILE I WAS DOING A U-TURN. MY SECOND I BOUGHT FOR $4000 AND PUT OVER 2K IN IT TRYING TO GET IT FIXED AND RUNNING. MY THIRD CAR I BOUGHT WAS A TOYOTA CAMRY. IT WAS A GREAT CAR BUT ALSO HAD TO PUT $1,500 INTO A CAR I BOUGHT FOR ONLY LIK 5K, WHEN THE MANUFACTURER TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDNT FIX THE PROBLEM AND I HAD WASTED EVERY DIME I HAD ON THIS CAR. MY LAST AND PRESENT CAR IS MY 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GT. MY MOTHER DIDN'T LIKE ALL THE PROBLEMS I WAS HAVING WITH ALL OF MY PREVIOUS CARS, SO WHEN I RECEIVED AN ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP TO ANY SCHOOL IN FLORIDA SHE WENT OUT AND BOUGHT ME THE ECLIPSE. TO GET BACK TO THE PROBLEM AT HAND, AT 10,000 MILES I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CLUTCH. THE CAR WILL SEVERELY JERK WHEN SWITCHING GEARS EVERY TIME I START THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR INTO MY LOCAL MITSUBISHI DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY WHICH DIDN'T MAKE SENSE. THE CAR WAS UNDER 12K MILES AND I THOUGHT THERE WAS A WARRANTY UP TILL THEN. ANYWAYS, I AM NOT THE PERSON TO ARGUE SO I SAID "OK" AND WENT ON MY WAY. WELL, IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND I BELIEVE COULD HAVE PLAYED A LARGE PART IN MY ONLY OTHER ACCIDENT. BUT THE BAD THING IS THAT NOW I AM AT 14, 438 MILES, WHICH EITHER WAY IS OVER THE 12K MILE WARRANTY IF THERE WAS ONE. I HAVE ALL ORIGINAL RECEIPTS TO PROVE THAT I STARTED HAVING CLUTCH PROBLEMS BEFORE I HIT 12K MILES AND I AM NOT SURE IF I CAN DO ANYTHING. I GOT A QUOTE OF OVER $1,000 TO BUY THE CLUTCH AND INSTALL IT. WHAT CAN I DO?*AK

NHTSA ODI #10090444

2,000 miles · Aug 24, 2004
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainVisibility

MY 2003 ECLIPSE GTS HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR ABOUT 10 DIFFERENT THINGS IN A MATTER OF 8 MONTHS. 4 SEPERATE TIMES I HAD BROUGHT IT IN FOR A JERKING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WAS THE MATTER AND IT WAS FINE. FINALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEY THEN INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANSMISION NEEDED TO BE RE…

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MY 2003 ECLIPSE GTS HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR ABOUT 10 DIFFERENT THINGS IN A MATTER OF 8 MONTHS. 4 SEPERATE TIMES I HAD BROUGHT IT IN FOR A JERKING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WAS THE MATTER AND IT WAS FINE. FINALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEY THEN INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANSMISION NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. IT WORKED FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS. ALSO 20 DAYS AFTER BUYING THE CAR MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FUEL PUMP AND SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. 4 TIMES I HAVE ALSO BROUGHT THE CAR IN BECUASE WHEN THE SUNROOF OPENS IT JERKS REALLY BAD. EVERY TIME I WENT THERE ALL THEY DID WAS GREASE IT AND IT STILL DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. AT 17,000 THE POWER MIRROR ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND THAT WAS REPLACED. TODAY 8/23/04 AT 20,000 I JUST DROPPED IT OFF FOR THE SUNROOF (AGAIN) AND INFORMED THEM MY WHEEL SHOOK WHILE BRAKING AND WAS JUST NOTIFIED THAT MY ROTORS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE COST TO ME WAS $200.00 FOR A CAR WITH 20,000 MILES AND 1 YEAR OLD. MITSUBISHI STATES THEY HAVE THE BEST BACKED CARS BUT WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT THEY DO NOT BACK THIER CARS UP WHEN IT MATTERS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10088460

5,000 miles · Jul 22, 2004
Structure

WATER LEAKS IN FROM VENT WHEN GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH, NEVER REPAIRED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10082473

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2004
Visibility

WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY ON A CLEAR DAY, NO CONSTRUCTION, NO TRUCKS IN SIGHT, NOT GOING UNDER AN OVERPASS - MY SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODES! THE SUNROOF HAD ONLY BEEN PARTIALLY OPEN, AND THE INTERIOR SLIDE WAS ONLY OPENED JUST SLIGHTLY. THIS WAS LUCKY, OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOWERED WITH GLASS. EVEN THOUGH …

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WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY ON A CLEAR DAY, NO CONSTRUCTION, NO TRUCKS IN SIGHT, NOT GOING UNDER AN OVERPASS - MY SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODES! THE SUNROOF HAD ONLY BEEN PARTIALLY OPEN, AND THE INTERIOR SLIDE WAS ONLY OPENED JUST SLIGHTLY. THIS WAS LUCKY, OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOWERED WITH GLASS. EVEN THOUGH IT SCARED THE HECK OUT OF ME, I WAS ABLE TO KEEP MY VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. I HAVE RESEARCHED WINDOW EXPLOSIONS ON ECLIPSES AND FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. WHAT CAN I DO AND CAN I GET THE DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR DUE TO DEFECT?*AK

NHTSA ODI #10078915

Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER SMELLED STRONG CHEMICAL FUMES INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10079470

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.