10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,538 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse engine problems

engine problem

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2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Owner Comments

problem #4

Aug 192011

Eclipse 4-cyl

  • 68,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This vehicle suddenly started stalling whether idling, accelerating, or coasting. It would then have trouble starting and run fine again. After taking it to the mitsubshi dealership on western blvd in jacksonville, nc, they could not diagnose it but found in their data base that there is a tiny part in the crank shaft that could cause this problem. After waiting a week for parts they realized they had the wrong tool. Another week waiting for the tool and the new part did not fix the problem. Another week of keeping my car they replaced the fuel injection regulator with a used part, this did not fix it. Another week with a new fuel injector. Now it does not stall but I cant get gas in the gas tank, the car smells like gas, there is still occasional stalling, and the new timing belt they put on screeches with the first start of the day everyday. The gas tank problem is found to be that the valve is stuck in the full and closed position and whole new gas tankis recommended. Another two weeks and still waiting on the gas tank. My car has been in the shop since August 22nd and it is now October first and my car is still unsafe to drive and waiting for parts. How is it that Mitsubishi can allow their service department to take this long, cost this much, and to return a vehicle to the customer in worse shape than it was given? I paid for all of these new parts and labor, and still have a vehicle that I cant use. Also, as a side note, it is black which means the cheap factory clear coat is coming off, the ac leaks on the driverside floor, the trunk does not open when you pull the lever...these are all things that should not be expired on an 03 vehicle and are so common with this vehicle. This is not acceptable.

- Jacksonville, NC, USA

problem #3

Aug 192011

Eclipse

  • 68,000 miles
This vehicle suddenly started stalling whether idling, accelorating, or coasting. It would then have trouble starting and run fine again. After taking it to the mitsubshi dealership on western blvd in jacksonville, nc, they could not diagnose it but found in their data base that there is a tiny part in the crank shaft that could cause this problem. After waiting a week for parts they realized they had the wrong tool. Another week waiting for the tool and the new part ddid not fix the problem. Another week of keeping my car they replaced the fuel injection regulator with a used part, this did not fix it. Another week with a new fuel injector. Now it does not stall but I cant get gas in the gas tank, the car smells like gas, there is still occasional stalling, and the new timing belt they put on screeches with the first start of the day everyday. The gas tank problem is found to be that the valve is stuck in the full and closed position and whole new gas tankis recommended. Another two weeks and still waiting on the gas tank. My car has been in the shop since August 22nd and it is now October first and my car is still unsafe to drive and waiting for parts. How is it that Mitsubishi can allow their service department to take this long, cost this much, and to return a vehicle to the customer in worse shape than it was given? I paid for all of these new parts and labor, and still have a vehicle that I cant use. Also, as a side note, it is black which means the cheap factory clear coat is coming off, the ac leaks on the driverside floor, the trunk does not open when you pull the lever...these are all things that should not be expired on an 03 vehicle and are so common with this vehicle. This is not acceptable.

- Jacksonville, NC, USA

problem #2

Jun 022009

Eclipse

  • 100,000 miles
I have a mitisubishi Eclipse 2003 100000 miles ( majority highway). In the spring of 08-the vehicle was making noise when accelerating, the vehicle was changing gears hard and was advise it was the transmission/motor mounds. The problem occurred intermittently while driving as much as 40mph. Took it back to mitisubishi dealer for service/diagnosis-told possible eventually trans, timing belt and possibly radiator, which was one of another consumers resolve. Well, they flush the radiator and it resolve the problem of driving but not the noise. Also June 2009-after driving 5 mph I noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment, the consumer pulled over ( call for tow and later opened the hood to see all the insulation smolder). After being stranded for over an hour I was towed to my destination. The car was later towed to contractor advise possible distributor, realized it was not the distributor and suggest car is towed to mitsubish for official computer service diagnosis ( due to car starting but not turning over). Advise, by the mitisubishi service tech all of the electrical wires were melted... computer failure/extreme electrical system damage, harness melted etc; I ask the dealer service manager @ the dealership, what would cause this and had this happen before" he stated ?not sure of cause"and was really shocked to the damage "possible fuse, ignition wires something" not sure. Diagnostic testing cost $112 repair estimate $5400. Help!!!I the manufacture needs to be made aware of this hazard of a problem; if not already. With recall/replacement and/or reimburse good faith and loyal Mitsubishi consumers. I won't began to explain the numerous brake/rotors & tires replaced/repaired within 5 years of purchased in September 2002.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #1

Oct 122003

Eclipse 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 2,150 miles
Oil leak from engine at only 2K miles, dealer is making repair. Cause cracked oil pump housing.

- Poughkeepsie, NY, USA

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