VehicleVerdict

2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse sits mid-pack among Eclipse years: 44 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 65, with a single recall and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 64% of all reports (28 of 44), far ahead of airbags at 8.

44

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Eclipse years?

Eclipse NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted440 complaints1986: 0 complaints1987: 0 complaints1988: 0 complaints1989: 13 complaints1990: 59 complaints1991: 65 complaints1992: 65 complaints1993: 44 complaints1994: 53 complaints1995: 440 complaints1996: 220 complaints1997: 185 complaints1998: 174 complaints1999: 150 complaints2000: 380 complaints2001: 287 complaints2002: 84 complaints2003: 158 complaints2004: 20 complaints2005: 8 complaints2006: 118 complaints2007: 122 complaints2008: 83 complaints2009: 44 complaints2010: 1 complaints2011: 1 complaints2012: 11 complaints
Eclipse NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Eclipse years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes2864%
Airbags818%
Body & Structure614%
Seat Belts12%
Transmission12%

Does the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

15V337000BrakesJune 2, 2015 · 74,836 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 20, 2005, to February 13, 2009, and 2007-2009 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured December 23, 2005, to February 13, 2009. Due to corrosion inside the antil-lock brake system (ABS) unit, one or more of the internal valves may seize. In a braking event that uses the ABS, a seized valve would increase brake pedal travel and reduce braking ability.

Consequence

A sudden reduction of braking performance may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, flush and clean the ABS hydraulic unit using high grade brake fluid, free of charge. If the inspection shows that the valves may seize, the ABS unit will be replaced. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-004.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“DECEMEBR 23, 2018 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON A FREEWAY, WHERE ALL THE TRAFFIC SUDDENLY CAME TO A STOP FROM 50 MPH. AS I PRESSED MY BREAKS IT WAS AS THOUGH THEY ALMOST DIDN'T WORK CAUSING ME TO STRIKE THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE ABS LIGHT THEN BECAME LIT, ALL AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED AND THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 23, 2018 · crash

“ANOTHER DRIVER WAS TRAVELING WEST AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT. I WAS TRAVELING EAST WHEN THE OTHER CAR TURNED FROM A DIRECT LINE AND HIT THE FRONT OF MY CAR. MY CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS, SIDE AIRBAGS, AND SIDE HEAD CURTAIN AIRBAGS. AT THE MOMENT OF IMPACT MY AIRBAGS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 5, 2013 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS FRACTURED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · August 10, 2015

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE SHIFT GEAR WOULD INDEPENDENTLY SHIFT FROM THIRD GEAR TO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 4, 2014

“THE LADY CROSSED TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC AND RAN A RED LIGHT AND HIT MY CAR ON DRIVERS SIDE FRONT INCLUDING THE DOOR. DOOR WON'T OPEN AND AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS TOWED CAUSE IT COULDN'T START AND WASN'T DRIVABLE. SEAT BELTS DIDN'T LOCK SO THE PEOPLE IN MY CAR HIT STEERING, DASHBOARD AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · July 18, 2014 · crash

2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse — common questions

Is the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 44 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Eclipse year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2009 Eclipse problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (28 complaints), airbags (8 complaints), body & structure (6 complaints).

Does the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2009 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.