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2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 73 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse, most often about the wheels and tires (44% of complaints, typically around 32,000 miles). It is 6th of 13 Eclipse model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems
Wheels and tires
32 complaints · 44%Half of these problems showed up before 32,000 miles. Parts named most often: rim, sidewall.
Third time wheels have failed causing rapid deflation of tire and subsequent control of the car. Tire sustains no damage, but lip on rim gets bent back releasing air. Rims are too soft, or the car needs a higher profile rim and tire. Damage always occurs on front wheels due to extra weight of engine, etc. On front…
Hit a small pot hole in may of 2003, rim dented immediately. I was traveling about 48 MPH when I hit it. Hit a small indenture in the road in may of 2004 and it bent another rim. Traveling at about 32 MPH. Rims are too soft!!! Had both rims replaced-- out of my own pocket.
Body and structure
15 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
After having my car washed and detailed in late may of 2008, I noticed a white deterioration of paint on the hood. Over the past few months the damage has spread over the hood and the trunk of the vehicle like a fungus. I recently went online to research the problem and discovered hundreds of Mitsubishi owners are…
I own a 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse gt with a paint-peeling problem. The vehicle has a horrible paint-peeling problem all over the top areas of the car. I bought the car with about 48,000 miles, and the paint problem started about two thousand miles later. I have seen many, many vehicles with the same problem as my car. I…
Electrical
5 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: wiring.
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.
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.
Transmission
4 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly.
Dt: started having problems shifting and started hearing a noise sounding like metal spinning. Was told by two dealers that the noise was normal. He has had the reverse synchros, pressure plate and clutch replaced. Work done at dealer where he bought it. Was told by manufacturer that they will research the problem. In…
Fuel system
4 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: storage.
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…
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.
Brakes
3 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
: the contact stated while driving 25 MPH on normal road conditions, the antilock brake system did not function properly, and there was no response from both front brakes. Also, the brake pedal went to the floor when this occurred. There were no warning signals prior to the incident. The vehicle had not been inspected…
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.
Lights
3 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: headlights.
: the contact stated while driving, the driver side headlight became inoperable. The dealership replaced the headlight assembly, plugs, and cables for the driver side. Afterwards, the passenger side headlight became inoperable. The same components were replaced for that headlight.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The contact stated that the column switch lever became detached while attempting to turn the vehicle. The lever was replaced. The manufacturer stated that his VIN was excluded from recall # 99v305001 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer:switch/wiring). The purchase date was…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: labels
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Aluminum alloy wheel denting
Summary
See attached report.
Questions about the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: wheels and tires (32 complaints, typically around 32,000 miles); body and structure (15 complaints, typically around 67,000 miles); electrical (5 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 2, 2015 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Mitsubishi Eclipse?
- It is 6th of 13 Eclipse model years by number of complaints, with 73 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.