MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE · model year

2004 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE

20 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004MITSUBISHIECLIPSE carries 20 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 3 fires, 4 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 2004 ECLIPSE is air bags with 3 filings, followed by structure:body (3) and structure (2). 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 5 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 2004 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.

20
Complaints
9
Crashes
3
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

20 filings

Crashes Reported

9 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS3
STRUCTURE:BODY3
STRUCTURE2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
SERVICE BRAKES2
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE1
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:CONTROLS:HAND CONTROL/VALVE1
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR1
STEERING1
WHEELS1
ENGINE1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1

Recalls (5)

04V31200029/06/2004

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE IMPROPERLY MOLDED.

06E02600023/03/2006

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

03V44200004/11/2003

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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.

15V33800002/06/2015

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

04V42800001/09/2004

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.

Recent Complaints

20210920FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Electrical cable for Fuel Pump caught fire. My daughter was able to park and exit the car safely before it combusted but it took 8 minutes for the car to basically explode. I think this is very dangerous for a family with kids or someone that wouldn't be as fast as my kid to get out of the car. We found out the same car/year has a recall but this was not issued to my specific vehicle. https://www.kbb.com/mitsubishi/eclipse/2004/recall/ I requested Mitsubishi Motors to check the car and give me compensation and they denied. We have a case number with them. The car showed the check engine light but we changed spark plug cables and alternator. It seemed fine otherwise.

20210920FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

Electrical cable for Fuel Pump caught fire. My daughter was able to park and exit the car safely before it combusted but it took 8 minutes for the car to basically explode. I think this is very dangerous for a family with kids or someone that wouldn't be as fast as my kid to get out of the car. We found out the same car/year has a recall but this was not issued to my specific vehicle. https://www.kbb.com/mitsubishi/eclipse/2004/recall/ I requested Mitsubishi Motors to check the car and give me compensation and they denied. We have a case number with them. The car showed the check engine light but we changed spark plug cables and alternator. It seemed fine otherwise.

20210920FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Electrical cable for Fuel Pump caught fire. My daughter was able to park and exit the car safely before it combusted but it took 8 minutes for the car to basically explode. I think this is very dangerous for a family with kids or someone that wouldn't be as fast as my kid to get out of the car. We found out the same car/year has a recall but this was not issued to my specific vehicle. https://www.kbb.com/mitsubishi/eclipse/2004/recall/ I requested Mitsubishi Motors to check the car and give me compensation and they denied. We have a case number with them. The car showed the check engine light but we changed spark plug cables and alternator. It seemed fine otherwise.

20160914CrashSERVICE BRAKES

BRAKES WILL INTERMITTEDLY NOT RESPOND TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. CAR HAS NOW BEEN INVOLVED IN TWO REAR END COLLISIONS IN 3 MONTHS. REPAIR SHOP CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED. CAR WAS GOING 25 MPH BOTH TIMES IN TWO CITIES WHEN THE CAR FAILED TO BRAKE.

Mileage: 146,000

20160510CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE THAT LED TO THE VEHICLE ROLLING OVER THREE TIMES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WAS ONE INJURY REPORTED THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

20151006SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO STOP. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 15V337000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

Mileage: 63,000

20130702CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

ROOMMATE DRIVING MY VEHICLE WITH MYSELF IN PASSENGER SEAT. STRUCK A DEAR MONDAY MORNING AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH. VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO A DITCH AND ROLLED AT LEAST 1 TIME INTO A MARSH ON LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD. VEHICLE RECEIVED MAJOR: FRONT, BOTH SIDE, REAR AND ROOF DAMAGE. NOT ONE AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED. *TR

Mileage: 83,000

20130702CrashWHEELS

ROOMMATE DRIVING MY VEHICLE WITH MYSELF IN PASSENGER SEAT. STRUCK A DEAR MONDAY MORNING AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH. VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO A DITCH AND ROLLED AT LEAST 1 TIME INTO A MARSH ON LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD. VEHICLE RECEIVED MAJOR: FRONT, BOTH SIDE, REAR AND ROOF DAMAGE. NOT ONE AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED. *TR

Mileage: 83,000

20130702CrashENGINE

ROOMMATE DRIVING MY VEHICLE WITH MYSELF IN PASSENGER SEAT. STRUCK A DEAR MONDAY MORNING AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH. VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO A DITCH AND ROLLED AT LEAST 1 TIME INTO A MARSH ON LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD. VEHICLE RECEIVED MAJOR: FRONT, BOTH SIDE, REAR AND ROOF DAMAGE. NOT ONE AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED. *TR

Mileage: 83,000

20130702CrashAIR BAGS

ROOMMATE DRIVING MY VEHICLE WITH MYSELF IN PASSENGER SEAT. STRUCK A DEAR MONDAY MORNING AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH. VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO A DITCH AND ROLLED AT LEAST 1 TIME INTO A MARSH ON LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD. VEHICLE RECEIVED MAJOR: FRONT, BOTH SIDE, REAR AND ROOF DAMAGE. NOT ONE AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED. *TR

Mileage: 83,000

20121012FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPUTTERS AND DIES WHEN THERE IS LESS THAN 1/2 TANK FUEL. MITSUBISHI 2004 HAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE. MITSUBISHI CLAIMS MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED ON A DIFFERENT PRODUCTION LINE, THEREFORE, IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. REALLY? *TR

Mileage: 98,000

20091028STRUCTURE:BODY

I HAVE A 2004 BLACK MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE THAT THE PAINT HAS BEEN FALLING OFF OF, JUST LIKE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS. THE PAINT STARTED DELAMINATING ABOUT 3YEARS AGO AND JUST PROGRESSED FROM THERE. THE CAR LOOKS HORRIBLE! MITSUBISHI HAS BEEN DOWNRIGHT RUDE RE: THIS MATTER. THEY WILL NOT FIX THE PAINT ISSUE DUE TO CAR BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

Mileage: 36,000

20090907STRUCTURE

CLEARCOAT PEELING OFF MITSUBISHI-DEFECTIVE PAINT. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

20090119STEERING

PROBLEM: HARNESS. EVERY TIME I LIFT THE STEERING WHEEL UP, THE ENGINE TURNS OFF. I HAVE TRIED TO GO TO THE MITSUBISHI DEALER AND TO HONDA SIERRA WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR (USED) AND THEY DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. I WAS LIKE A TENNIS BALL, SO, I GOT TIRED OF IT. I EVEN SEND A LETTER TO HONDA SIERRA TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I BOUGHT IF DEFECTIVE. UNFORTUNATELY, I DID NOT GET A RESPONSE. REPAIR COST MORE THAN 300 DOLLARS. I DON'T HAVE MONEY YET, AND IM STILL HOPEFUL THAT EITHER OF THE TWO PARTIES ARE WILLING TO WORK WITH THE PROBLEM. *TR

20060127STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

ON SECOND DAY OF OWNERSHIP I HEARD A VERY LOUD METAL CRACKING SOUND WHILE SITTING IN THE CAR PREPARING TO DRIVE. CAR WAS NOT STARTED OR MOVING). UPON INSPECTION THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DEFECT. ABOUT A WEEK LATER I HAD AN IDENTICAL EXPERIENCE. THIS TIME I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE BODY SEAM LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE DOOR WOULD NO LONGER CLOSE PROPERLY , AND I IMMEDIATELY SCHEDULED A REPAIR APPOINTMENT. THE DEALERSHIP ADJUSTED THE DOOR AND ASSURED ME THAT THE CRACK IN THE FRAME WAS ONLY COSMETIC. THE CRACK WAS FILLED AND PAINTED AND SEEMS TO BE HOLDING, BUT THERE IS A LEAK IN THE DOOR THAT LEAVES WATER ON THE DOOR SILL PLATE EVERY TIME IT RAINS OR I WASH THE CAR. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING ADDITIONAL REPAIRS FOR THAT NOW.*AK

Mileage: 450

20060127STRUCTURE:BODY

ON SECOND DAY OF OWNERSHIP I HEARD A VERY LOUD METAL CRACKING SOUND WHILE SITTING IN THE CAR PREPARING TO DRIVE. CAR WAS NOT STARTED OR MOVING). UPON INSPECTION THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DEFECT. ABOUT A WEEK LATER I HAD AN IDENTICAL EXPERIENCE. THIS TIME I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE BODY SEAM LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE DOOR WOULD NO LONGER CLOSE PROPERLY , AND I IMMEDIATELY SCHEDULED A REPAIR APPOINTMENT. THE DEALERSHIP ADJUSTED THE DOOR AND ASSURED ME THAT THE CRACK IN THE FRAME WAS ONLY COSMETIC. THE CRACK WAS FILLED AND PAINTED AND SEEMS TO BE HOLDING, BUT THERE IS A LEAK IN THE DOOR THAT LEAVES WATER ON THE DOOR SILL PLATE EVERY TIME IT RAINS OR I WASH THE CAR. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING ADDITIONAL REPAIRS FOR THAT NOW.*AK

Mileage: 450

20051029STRUCTURE

THE RUBBERS ON MY 2004 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER IS ALWAYS LEAKING WATER INTO THE CAR, CREATING A MOLD SMELL, DESTROYING THE SPEAKERS, ECT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THEM ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO OR LESS, AND THEY ARE LEAKING AGAIN ON THE CONVERTIBLE TOP, MAKING MY SEAT BELT WET, WHICH I BELIEVE IS A HAZARD IF IN A ACCIDENT, MY SEAT, AND FLOORS, NOT TO MENTION IT IS LEAKING INTO THE DOOR PANELS. MY SON HAS FALLEN OUT OF THE CAR SLIPPING ON THE WATER ON THE DOOR PANEL, NOT THAT HE NEEDED A AMBULANCE BUT GOT A FAT LIP WHEN HE PUT HIS TEETH INTO THEM WHEN HE FELL, ALSO GETTING A BRUISED LEG. *JB

Mileage: 23,000

20050824CrashAIR BAGS

MY MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER 2004 [XXX], DONE NEARLY 21,000 MILES MET WITH AN ACCIDENT ON JULY 25, 2005. IT VEERED OFF THE ROAD, WENT DOWNHILL FOR OVER TWENTY FEET AND COLLIDED HEAD-ON WITH A TREE TO COME TO A HALT. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. DESPITE THE FRONT-ENDED CRASH, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO INFLATE. THE SEVERITY OF THE CRASH IS EVIDENT FROM THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CATEGORIZED AS A "TOTAL LOSS" BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I BELIEVE THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT. UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20050707CrashSERVICE BRAKES, AIR:CONTROLS:HAND CONTROL/VALVE

CAR WAS PARKED WITH EBRAKE PULLED UPWARDS TO HOLD CAR IN PLACE. THE 04 ECLIPSE GT ROLLED BACKWARDS OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT AND JUMPED THE CURB HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. 04 ECLIPSE TAKEN TO MITSUBISHI ON 7/7/05 AND THEY ADJUSTED THE EBREAK SAYING TI WAS LOOSE.

Mileage: 7,600

20041216CrashSTEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH AND TRYING TO GO AROUND ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE STEERING LOCKED. THIS WAS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED, CAUSING A COLLISION. *AK ........DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK

Mileage: 10,000

Compare 2004MITSUBISHIECLIPSE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE have?
The 2004 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE has 20 NHTSA complaints, 9 crashes, 3 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE?
Yes, the 2004 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE?
The most-complained component for the 2004 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE is AIR BAGS with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE:BODY and STRUCTURE.
Is the 2004 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.