Total Complaints
84 filings
MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE · model year
84 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2002MITSUBISHIECLIPSE carries 84 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 4 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 ECLIPSE is wheels:rim with 20 filings, followed by wheels (10) and structure (9). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2002 ECLIPSE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
84 filings
Crashes Reported
6 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| WHEELS:RIM | 20 |
| WHEELS | 10 |
| STRUCTURE | 9 |
| TIRES | 4 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 2 |
| TIRES:SIDEWALL | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 1 |
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 ASSOCIA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 D
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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, 200
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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.
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.
Mileage: 185,000
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.
Mileage: 200,000
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
Mileage: 70,000
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CRACKED SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAD HAPPENED, AS I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD ASSUMED THAT IT POSSIBLY GOT TOO HOT FROM THE SUN ONE DAY. I WAS APPALLED TO HEAR THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. PARTS OF A CAR SHOULD NOT BREAK IN TWO OR THREE PIECES. MITSUBISHI SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ISSUES. I HAVE TO TAKE A BITE IN THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE, THE FUNDS SHOULD COME OUT OF MITSUBISHI'S POCKET, NOT MINE! I ALSO AM HAVING ISSUES WITH THE PAINT ON THE SPOILER. THE PAINT HAS STRANGELY DISAPPEARED AND THE PART HAS TURNED WHITE. IT'S WEIRD! AGAIN, I FEEL THAT IF MITSUBISHI HAD A PROBLEM WITH THEIR PAINT JOBS, THEY SHOULD FIX THEM! *JS
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.
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
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
TRANSMISSION STOPS FUNCTIONING DUE TO WAVE/CUSHION SPRING FAILURE. *TR
Mileage: 135,000
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
Mileage: 132,000
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
Mileage: 132,000
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
Mileage: 172,000
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
Mileage: 172,000
AFTER CHECKING OUT SERVICE ENGINE CODES P0456 AND P0457 (EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM LEAK DETECTED) I FOUND THE FUEL FILLER NECK TUBE AND ALL VENT LINES TOTALLY CORRODED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE AND THIS ASSEMBLY IS LOCATED IN THE REAR RIGHT SIDE WHEEL WELL. DRIVING AREA IS THE NORTHEAST AND FOUND SAND AND DEBRIS PACKED ALL AROUND ASSEMBLY WHERE TUBES MAKE A 90 DEGREE TURN THROUGH A SUPPORT/PROTECTIVE BRACKET. I REPAIRED WITH A NEW FUEL NECK ASSEMBLY (PART NO. MR73836) PURCHASED FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AT A COST OF $200 FOR PARTS ONLY. NO FUEL HAD YET LEAKED OUT BUT WOULD HAVE IN A SHORT TIME IF THIS PART WAS NOT REPLACED. DEALER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT OTHER MITSUBISHI MODELS AROUND THIS SAME YEAR HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS SAME CONDITION. *TR
Mileage: 96,000
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
Mileage: 15
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIMS WERE BENDING ABNORMALLY AND CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. THE RIMS WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIMS WERE BENDING ABNORMALLY AND CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. THE RIMS WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ
THERE IS A MAJOR DEFECT IN THE DASHBOARDS OF MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE'S (YEARS 2000-05). THE DASHBOARD WILL CRACK AS THE CAR HITS UNEVEN ROAD SUCH ASH POT HOLES. IN THE HEAT AND COLD ALTHOUGH COVERED AND PROTECTED FRO DIRECT SUNLIGHT THE DASH WILL EXPAND AND RETRACT IN SIZE CREATING SMALL FRACTURES THAT CAN CRACK. ONCE THE CRACKS BECOME LARGE ENOUGH PIECES WILL EITHER FLY OUT TOWARDS THE DRIVER OR FALL INTO THE HEATING AND COOLING DUCTS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CARS BLOWER MOTOR. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE FOR PIECES OF THE DASHBOARD TO SHATTER AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DURING A COLLISION CAUSING FATAL DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGERS OR DRIVER. THIS IS NOT A CASE BY CASE BASIS BUT ON EVERY 2000-05 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE I HAVE COME ACROSS. *TR
Mileage: 85,000
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
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
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
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.