NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 42 owner complaints for the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Most complaints involve service brakes (27) and air bags (8). The EPA rates it 19–23 mpg combined.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 20, 2005, to February 13, 2009, and 2007-2009 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured December 23, 2005, to February 13, 2009. Due to corrosion inside the antil-lock brake system (ABS) unit, one or more of the internal valves may seize. In a braking event that uses the ABS, a seized valve would increase brake pedal travel and reduce braking ability.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Eclipse model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 168 |
| 1997 | 164 |
| 1998 | 151 |
| 1999 | 135 |
| 2000 | 311 |
| 2001 | 300 |
| 2002 | 104 |
| 2003 | 166 |
| 2004 | 14 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 99 |
| 2007 | 107 |
| 2008 | 71 |
| 2009 | 42 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 8 |
“DECEMEBR 23, 2018 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON A FREEWAY, WHERE ALL THE TRAFFIC SUDDENLY CAME TO A STOP FROM 50 MPH. AS I PRESSED MY BREAKS IT WAS AS THOUGH THEY ALMOST DIDN'T WORK CAUSING ME TO STRIKE THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE ABS LIGHT THEN BECAME LIT, ALL AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED AND THE CAR WAS DETERMINED TOTALED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND I WAS NOT AT FAULT.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND GOING DOWN HILL WITH ACCELERATION, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BASE. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE REAR OF THE DRIVER SEAT TO DETACH THE OVER HEAD LIGHT AND THE CONSOLE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF HER BODY HEAD, BACK SHOULDER, HIP AND KNEES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V337000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WARPED PREMATURELY. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED IN THE AREA OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE EFFECT THAT THE WARPED DASHBOARD WOULD HAVE ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE DASHBOARD ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eclipse Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| Eclipse Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Eclipse Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,200 | 468 |
| Eclipse Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 19 | $4,200 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Oct 30, 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.
Owners filed 42 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (27), air bags (8), structure (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse at 19–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).