2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 73 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is wheels (38% of complaints); the 2004 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 73 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi eclipse. While in park, the contact noticed that there were multiple fractures across the dashboard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi eclipse. The contact stated that upon refueling the vehicle, fuel leaked out through the fuel neck due to rust. The contact also stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 185,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2015
“Caught fire over night while parked in my drive way. Woke up the following morning to find the dash board melted, windows smoked out, front windshield cracked and driver side door burnt. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a baby trend child restraint seat, model number: tj94128 (na), and manufactured july 7, 2012. The child seat was being used in a 2002 mitsubishi eclipse. The contact stated that the child seat lower latch connector failed to lock during the installation of the base. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The contact stated that the child seat would be replaced. The vehicle information was unavailable.”Owner report · Child Seat · Jul 2013
“My left turning signal would not return to the off position after turning and then out of the sudden my headlights on high beam would stay on permanently, low beams would not start . My turning signal stop working and now my car wont start. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2012
“We were driving and car just died. But it still wanted to start just acted like didn't have gas. To but we just filled up. So we figured fuel pump. Replaced it and nothing still so then we call a dealer and he says most common thing that happens in these cars is computer gets fried. *js”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2012
“While driving northbound on 95 in virginia (about 20 mins outside of richmond) my 2002 mitsubishi eclipse's accelerator became stuck. The car ended up overheating and the brakes failed (the front driver rotor actually ripped apart) before I put the car into neutral. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2011
“2002 eclipse coupe, ok this is a major promblem, hope someone will listen the wheels (rims) crack on these cars "cheap" both front wheels and drivers side back wheel. If you hit a pothole your gonna purchase new wheels. I am a single mom my kids ride in this car. Many others have "complained" do something before you are scrapping children off the expressway.....these wheels on the 2002 eclipse are dangerous and expensive to keep replacing I can not afford it,, *tr”Owner report · Wheels · Nov 2010
“2002 mitsubishi eclipse the liftback door suddenly fell. *nj the consumer stated the liftback detached from the left piston and violently slammed shut. The piston assembly had to be welded back into place. *jb”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2009
“I bought a black 2002 mitsubishi eclipse in 2004. The paint job seemed fine but soon I realized that my paint is dissolving off my car! The clear coat is almost completely gone and I am afraid my car will soon start to rust. I have seen many other black eclipses with the same problem. I believe that the manufacturer did not apply the black paint or the clear coat correctly on the black 2002 eclipses. I feel like the manufacturer should be responsible for fixing the problem because they did not make their product to last. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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."
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Eclipse by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse reliable?
NHTSA has 73 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The most complained-about area is wheels (38% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 47,797 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:other:labels. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.