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Research · Subcompact Cars

2003 Mitsubishi EclipseRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 166 owner complaints for the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Most complaints involve structure (40) and power train (25). The EPA rates it 21–24 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–24mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Jun 2015
Owner complaints
166
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 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 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 DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Exterior lightingReported Mar 23, 2006NHTSA 06E026000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

166 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2002 – Feb 2025
  1. Structure40
  2. Power train25
  3. Air bags15
  4. Tires15
  5. Engine and engine cooling14
  6. Visibility14
  7. Fuel system, gasoline10
  8. Electrical system9
  9. Wheels7

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
22
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
15
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

40 reports1 crash1 fire
“TAKATA AIRBAG: MY INCIDENT HAS ALREADY BEEN REPORTED. I AM ADDING THE POLICE REPORT. I AM STILL REQUIRING SURGERY AND UNABLE TO USE MY LEFT ARM 10 MONTHS LATER.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2017Power train, Air bags, StructureCrash reportedFire reportedODI 11024118

Power train

25 reports3 crashes1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD IDLE LOW, CAUSING IT TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,450.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 13, 2012Power trainODI 10447784

Air bags

15 reports13 crashes3 fires
“PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED CAUSED ME TO VEER OFF TO THE RIGHT FOR SAFETY.PASSENGER VISOR FLEW OFF HIT MY ARM AND FLEW OUT WINDOW. UNABLE TO SEE WITH AIRBAG IN MY FACE I ENDED UP HALF ON AND HALF OFF A CULVERT WITH CEMENT PIPE.CAR STOPPED AND THEN MY DRIVER AIRBAG SHOT FIRE AND CHEMICALS INTO MY FACE.HORRIBLE STILL AFTER A WHOLE YEAR NOONE CARES NOONE HELPS NO THERAPY FOLLOW UP NONE ONLY ER WHEN I CAN NO LONGER TOLERATE THE EXTREME PAIN.2 TITANIUM RODS N 38 SCREWS HOLD IT TOGETHER. SOME SCREWS ARE COMING OFF AND 3 BONES ARE STILL SHATTERED. SOME ARE EVEN MISSING. PLEASE HELP”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 11, 2018Air bags, Visibility/wiperCrash reportedFire reportedODI 11062091
All 2003 Eclipse problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic (S4) · 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 Oct 28, 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
212924$2,700370
Eclipse
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive
202823$2,800386
Eclipse
Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC, 2MODE CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
192521$3,050423
Eclipse
Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC, 2MODE CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$3,050423
Eclipse
Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC, 2MODE CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
182521$3,800423
Eclipse
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC, CMODE CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
192521$3,050423
Eclipse
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC, CMODE CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
192621$3,050423
Eclipse
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$3,800423
  • Eclipse
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Eclipse
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Eclipse
    Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC, 2MODE CLKUP
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Eclipse
    Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC, 2MODE CLKUP
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Eclipse
    Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC, 2MODE CLKUP
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Eclipse
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC, CMODE CLKUP
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Eclipse
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC, CMODE CLKUP
    19 city · 26 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Eclipse
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 4981
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

2003 Eclipse questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse have?

5 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems?

Owners filed 166 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (40), power train (25), air bags (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 21–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026