VehicleVerdict

2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 158 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.4 times the median Eclipse year — the 2003 model ranks #7 of 27 Eclipse years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 15 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (32), transmission (22), and visibility & wipers (15), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

158

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

18

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

15

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Eclipse years?

See all Eclipse years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure3220%
Transmission2214%
Visibility & Wipers159%
Tires & Wheels138%
Engine138%
Airbags106%
Fuel System106%
Other96%
Electrical System74%
Steering64%
Lighting53%
Brakes43%
Speed Control43%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)32%
Suspension21%
Latches & Locks21%
Seats11%

Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

15V338000AirbagsJune 2, 2015 · 443,442 units

Defect

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

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.

06E060000LightingJune 29, 2006 · 87,745 units

Defect

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Remedy

AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

04V428000OtherSeptember 1, 2004 · 100,432 units

Defect

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

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.

03V442000Fuel SystemNovember 4, 2003 · 17,087 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I NOTICED RECENTLY THAT A SECTION OF THE ROOF ON MY CAR WAS WHITISH IN COLOR. QUITE APPARENT AS MY CAR IS BLACK IN COLOR. I HAVE HEARD AND READ FROM MANY SOURCES THAT THIS ISSUE WAS PREVALENT IN 2003 MODELS AND OBVIOUSLY MINE IS NOT EXEMPT MUCH TO MY DISAPPOINTMENT. I HOPE THAT MITSUBISHI STEPS UP…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 28, 2008

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 12, 2004 · crash

PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED CAUSED ME TO VEER OFF TO THE RIGHT FOR SAFETY.PASSENGER VISOR FLEW OFF HIT MY ARM AND FLEW OUT WINDOW. UNABLE TO SEE WITH AIRBAG IN MY FACE I ENDED UP HALF ON AND HALF OFF A CULVERT WITH CEMENT PIPE.CAR STOPPED AND THEN MY DRIVER AIRBAG SHOT FIRE AND CHEMICALS INTO MY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · October 29, 2016 · crash · fire

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

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · November 22, 2004 · crash

I HAVE A MITISUBISHI ECLIPSE 2003 100000 MILES ( MAJORITY HIGHWAY). IN THE SPRING OF 08-THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE WAS CHANGING GEARS HARD AND WAS ADVISE IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION/MOTOR MOUNDS. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AS MUCH AS 40MPH. TOOK…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 2, 2009 · fire

2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse — common questions

Is the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 158 complaints put the 2003 model at #7 of 27 Eclipse years. It is one of the Eclipse years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 Eclipse problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (32 complaints), transmission (22 complaints), visibility & wipers (15 complaints).

Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mitsubishi Eclipse years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Eclipse years to avoid are 1995, 2000, 2001, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2003, 1999, 2007, 2006. The cleanest record among Eclipse years belongs to 1988.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.