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Research · Subcompact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2000 Mitsubishi EclipseRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 311 owner complaints for the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Most complaints involve wheels (128) and structure (41). The EPA rates it 20–23 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20–23mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
10campaigns
Latest Jun 2015
Owner complaints
311
Top: wheels
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

10 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jun 2, 2015NHTSA 15V338000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

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 ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Exterior lightingReported Jun 29, 2006NHTSA 06E060000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE 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 DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Exterior lightingReported May 24, 2006NHTSA 06E049000
See all 10 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

311 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 1999 – Aug 2022
  1. Wheels128
  2. Structure41
  3. Exterior lighting25
  4. Visibility21
  5. Electrical system21
  6. Tires20
  7. Power train17
  8. Suspension11
  9. Steering11

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Eclipse model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996168
1997164
1998151
1999135
2000311
2001300
2002104
2003166
200414
20056
200699
2007107
200871
200942
20101
20111
20128
Crashes reported
14
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
13
Deaths reported
4
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Wheels

128 reports2 crashes
“MY RIMS ON MY 2000 ECLIPSE ARE ALL BENT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 OR 4 TIRES DUE TO BLOW OUTS IN THE LAST 3 YEARS. I WILL BUY NEW RIMS AND SEND IN ALL MY OLD ONES BECAUSE THIS IS UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF ALL OWNERS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 2, 2008WheelsODI 10232995

Structure

41 reports1 fire
“1) A COMMON ISSUE ACCORDING TO THE FORUMS AND FACEBOOK GROUPS, THE STRUT TOWERS RUST THROUGH WHICH PRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN CONSIDERING THAT THE SUSPENSION IS CONNECTED TO THE STEERING WHICH COULD PUT AN INDIVIDUAL OR OTHERS ON THE ROAD AT RISK 2) YET ANOTHER COMMON ISSUE, THE DASH AND ASSOCIATED BEZELS CRACK OVER TIME. THERE HAS BEEN NO SOLUTION OR ALTERNATIVE TO COMPLETE REPLACEMENT FROM ANYONE, INCLUDING (I'M SURE) MITSUBISHI.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 28, 2020Structure, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11319608

Exterior lighting

25 reports2 fires
“The contact owns a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the turn signal and headlights failed. The contact stated that the high beam failed to operate correctly whether the vehicle was turned or not. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V305001 (Exterior Lighting, Visibility). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 8, 2022Exterior lighting, VisibilityODI 11478198
All 2000 Eclipse problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Eclipse
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive
202823$2,700386
Eclipse
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC, CMODE CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
182521$2,950423
Eclipse
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC, 2MODE CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
182521$2,950423
Eclipse
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$3,700423
Eclipse
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC, 2MODE CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
182520$3,850444
  • Eclipse
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Eclipse
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC, CMODE CLKUP
    18 city · 25 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Eclipse
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC, 2MODE CLKUP
    18 city · 25 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Eclipse
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Eclipse
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC, 2MODE CLKUP
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2000 Eclipse questions

How many recalls does the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse have?

10 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems?

Owners filed 311 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are wheels (128), structure (41), exterior lighting (25). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse get?

The EPA rates the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 20–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026