2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Wheels:rim (20) · Wheels (9) · Structure (8)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mitsubishi Eclipse model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
39 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2015-06-02 · campaign 15V338000 · 443,442 vehicles
Defect: 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 po
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.
Service bulletins (123)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-07-21 · DEALER LETTER · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a dealer letter sent to dealers informing that mitsubishi technical training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
Structure 2023-04-24 · TSB-23-00-004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-04-24 · TSB-23-00-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more than 1.5 percent of the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr) or 100 lbs.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-04-21 · DEALER LETTER · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a dealer letter sent to dealers informing that mitsubishi technical training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
Unknown Or Other 2022-04-07 · TSB-22-54-003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part.
Equipment 2019-11-26 · TT253 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a service newsletter (tech talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Showing the 6 most recent of 123 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2015-09-01 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 185,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi eclipse. the contact stated that upon refueling the vehicle, fuel leaked out through the fuel neck due to rust. the contact also stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 185,…”
2015-07-29 · Structure:body · 200,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mitsubishi eclipse. while in park, the contact noticed that there were multiple fractures across the dashboard. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 200,000. …”
2014-12-10 · Electrical System · 70,000 mi · 🔥 fire“caught fire over night while parked in my drive way. woke up the following morning to find the dash board melted, windows smoked out, front windshield cracked and driver side door burnt. *tr…”
2014-07-29 · Structure:body“the dashboard on my 2002 mitsubishi eclipse cracked several years ago. i had no idea what had happened, as i was not involved in an accident. i had assumed that it possibly got too hot from the sun one day. i was appalled to hear that this is a common problem. parts of a car should not break in two or three pieces. mitsubishi should take responsibi…”
2013-07-25 · Child Seat:latch Connector/Clip“tl* the contact owns a baby trend child restraint seat, model number: tj94128 (na), and manufactured july 7, 2012. the child seat was being used in a 2002 mitsubishi eclipse. the contact stated that the child seat lower latch connector failed to lock during the installation of the base. the manufacturer was not notified of the defect. the contact s…”
2012-10-23 · Exterior Lighting“my left turning signal would not return to the off position after turning and then out of the sudden my headlights on high beam would stay on permanently, low beams would not start . my turning signal stop working and now my car wont start. *tr…”
2012-05-19 · Power Train · 135,000 mi“transmission stops functioning due to wave/cushion spring failure. *tr…”
2012-03-19 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 132,000 mi“we were driving and car just died. but it still wanted to start just acted like didn't have gas. to but we just filled up. so we figured fuel pump. replaced it and nothing still so then we call a dealer and he says most common thing that happens in these cars is computer gets fried. *js…”
2011-09-22 · Vehicle Speed Control · 172,000 mi“while driving northbound on 95 in virginia (about 20 mins outside of richmond) my 2002 mitsubishi eclipse's accelerator became stuck. the car ended up overheating and the brakes failed (the front driver rotor actually ripped apart) before i put the car into neutral. *tr…”
2011-08-22 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 96,000 mi“after checking out service engine codes p0456 and p0457 (evaporative emission control system leak detected) i found the fuel filler neck tube and all vent lines totally corroded through. the vehicle is a 2002 mitsubishi eclipse and this assembly is located in the rear right side wheel well. driving area is the northeast and found sand and debris pa…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.