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2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 124 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse, most often about the body and structure (25% of complaints, typically around 47,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Eclipse model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems
Body and structure
31 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 47,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
There was no incident, crash or injury. I purchased a black 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse, in 2005, which had 40000 mi on nit. The paint was ok at time of purchase. Unknown to me, Mitsubishi vehicles from 1999-2004 have defective primer which causes the paint to flake off in large quantities. I had the vehicle less than a…
Carpet on driver side front and back completed soaked with water everytime it rains .car always smells moldy. Have had it checked but noone can figure it out.
Transmission
20 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 19,000 miles. Parts named most often: clutch assembly, manual transmission, automatic transmission, driveline.
I bought my car in october of 2003 and immediately I noticed a grinding coming from the transmission. I took it into lancaster Mitsubishi in pennsylvania and they told me it was a common trans noise. A couple of weeks passed by and the noise kept getting louder and now my clutch is slipping. I have never beat or raced…
My clutch on my 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse spyder started to show signs of slipping at around 11,000 miles. I thought it was covered under the bumper-to-bumper warranty and did not get it fixed right away as my dealership is about an hour away. It finally became so bad that it was unsafe to drive at 19500 miles. The…
Wheels and tires
13 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 22,000 miles. Parts named most often: rim, sidewall, tread/belt.
Two out of four tires had bulges coming out of the sidewalls after less than 14,000 miles. Took them to goodyear and they blamed it on me. They said the plys delaminated because I was running into too many potholes (which I wasn't). I've never had a tire do this before. I think the rsa's are an accident waiting to…
I bought my 2003 Eclipse gt in march of 2004. At approximately 30,000 miles two bulges suddenlyappeared on left side front and rear tires (one bulge on each). When the car was taken to the goodyear retailer I was told it was the result of running over pot holes. However, the position of the bulges doesn't suggest so.…
Visibility and wipers
13 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 93,500 miles. Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly, defroster/defogger/hvac system, windshield, glass, side/rear.
Sun roof exploded and shattered while driving 65 MPH on a two lane highway on a clear night, no rocks on the road way, and one vehicle traveling approximately half a mile ahead when my glass shattered. When the closed sun roof exploded and shattered it sounded like a something fell from the sky on the roof of my…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The contact stated that the hatch back and sun roof had water leakage. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.
Engine
13 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 33,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
The consumer heard a knocking in the engine. This is the second time he has taken it to the Mitsubishi dealer approx. 4 months ago and they were suppose to have replaced the engine.
I have a 2003 ecipse that I have had in the shpo twice because my car is leaking oil. I have had continous run around at the garage waiting for parts etc. I am very dissatisfied with the fact that my garagf floor continues to have wet oil on it.I also am without a vehicle that I am paying for.my car has been returned…
Air bags
10 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 42,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Consumer's vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle, causing consumer's vehicle to rear end the vehicle in front. Upon impact, neither driver driver's side nor passenger's side airbags deployed. As a result the driver impacted the steering wheel.
I was in a car accident. We were hit on the front corner of the drivers side. We were going 35mph and the other driver was going about that speed. He was turning from the opposite direction and turned right into US. I'm not sure if you would describe it as head on because it was at an angle. The whole front of our car…
Fuel system
10 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
Service engine soon light came on; took car to dealership. Discoverd that filler neck has rusted out requiring replacement. This was reported to me by the dealership to be common with this model. The vehicle is a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse gs. The filler neck has completely rusted out. The filler neck is located directly…
: the contact stated the check engine light illuminated as the vehicle was traveling 40 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer, where computer diagnostics reported a major fuel leak that could not be identified. When the manufacturer was notified, the contact was informed that there was a NHTSA recall…
Other or unspecified
8 complaints · 7%We have a 2003 black Mitsubishi Eclipse. The paint is going bad on all the top areas of the car. The clear coat peeling and it is turning white. I have seen many other black Mitsubishi's like this and have seen other web sites that speak of this. It is unbelievable that in two or three years that a factory paint job…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 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.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel pump pressure. Those vehicles exhibiting higher than normal fuel pump pressure will receive fuel pump modifications. The recall began december 3, 2003. Owners should contact mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037 or mitsubishi caribbean at 1-800-981-0452.
Full defect summary
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.
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.
Questions about the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (31 complaints, typically around 47,000 miles); transmission (20 complaints, typically around 19,000 miles); wheels and tires (13 complaints, typically around 22,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse have?
- 3 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 2003 a bad year for the Mitsubishi Eclipse?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Eclipse model year since 2000, with 124 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.