VehicleVerdict

2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 8 complaints on file for the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

8

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Eclipse years?

See all Eclipse years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System225%
Latches & Locks225%
Lighting113%
Other113%
Body & Structure113%
Tires & Wheels113%

Does the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse have recalls?

4 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.

08V454000Fuel SystemSeptember 9, 2008 · 45,988 units

Defect

MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 45,988 MY 2005-2007 ENDEAVOR, GALANT, ECLIPSE COUPE, AND MY 2007 ECLIPSE SPYDER VEHICLES. THE BRACKET THAT IS THE ATTACHMENT POINT FOR THE LEFT REAR FUEL TANK MOUNTING STRAP MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY FORMED DURING A METAL STAMPING PROCESS. THE PROCESS MAY HAVE CAUSED THE METAL TO HAVE A SPLIT IN THE AREA WHERE THE BOLT THAT HOLDS ONE OF THE TWO FUEL TANK STRAPS TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS LOCATED. IN THE EVENT THE FUEL TANK IS FULL AND THE VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO A SEVERE COLLISION, THE BRACKET MAY BREAK AND ALLOW THE FUEL TANK TO DROP DOWN, POSSIBLY CAUSING A FUEL LEAK.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE IF THE LEFT REAR FUEL TANK STRAP MOUNTING BRACKET HAS SPLITTING BEYOND A SPECIFIC LIMIT. VEHICLES WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE SPLITTING WILL BE REPAIRED USING A REINFORCEMENT CAP, A SPECIAL STRUCTURAL ADHESIVE, AND A RIVET TO REINFORCE THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING BRACKET. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

AS I WAS DRIVING HOME IN MY BRAND NEW 2005 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE, THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS SUDDENLY UNLOCKED. THINKING I MUST HAVE RESTED MY ARM ON THE DOOR LOCK BUTTON, I SIMPLY RELOCKED THE DOORS. FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER, THE DOORS UNLOCKED AGAIN. THAT EVENING, I READ ABOUT THE CAR'S FEATURE THAT WILL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · October 28, 2004

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR AND A STREAM OF SMOKE EMITTING FROM INSIDE THE PASSENGER DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 8, 2015 · fire

IN THE MORNING, I DROVE THIS MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE 2005 TO WORK(35 MILES AWAY FROM HOME), IT WAS OK. AFTER WORK, I DROVE BACK TO MY HOUSE, ENTERED OUR GARAGE, I GOT OFF THE CAR, I SAW A SMALL FIRE ON THE RIGHT FRONT LIGHTING PLACE, THEN I QUICKLY BACKED MY CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE FIRE WAS GETTING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · December 6, 2013 · fire

THE RIMS ON THE 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE DENT EASILY AND THE TIRES BLOW OUT OR LOSE PRESSURE AS A RESULT OF NORMAL WEAR AND DRIVING. NORMAL POTHOLES AND BUMPS ARE ENOUGH TO CAUSE DAMAGE. I HAD A BLOWOUT YESTERDAY JANUARY 15TH, 2005. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED 2 RIMS AND 3 TIRES AS A RESULT OF THIS.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · January 15, 2005

IN THE MORNING, I DROVE THIS MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE 2005 TO WORK(35 MILES AWAY FROM HOME), IT WAS OK. AFTER WORK, I DROVE BACK TO MY HOUSE, ENTERED OUR GARAGE, I GOT OFF THE CAR, I SAW A SMALL FIRE ON THE RIGHT FRONT LIGHTING PLACE, THEN I QUICKLY BACKED MY CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE FIRE WAS GETTING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · December 6, 2013 · fire

2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse — common questions

Is the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse reliable?

The record is thin — 8 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 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.