2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure (2) · Service Brakes (2) · Air Bags (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mitsubishi Eclipse model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
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 (40)
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 40 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2021-09-20 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“electrical cable for fuel pump caught fire. my daughter was able to park and exit the car safely before it combusted but it took 8 minutes for the car to basically explode. i think this is very dangerous for a family with kids or someone that wouldn't be as fast as my kid to get out of the car. we found out the same car/year has a recall but this …”
2016-09-14 · Service Brakes · 146,000 mi · 💥 crash“brakes will intermittedly not respond to the brake pedal being depressed. car has now been involved in two rear end collisions in 3 months. repair shop cannot duplicate the problem described. car was going 25 mph both times in two cities when the car failed to brake. …”
2016-05-10 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2004 mitsubishi eclipse. the contact stated while driving at 65 mph, the vehicle crashed into another vehicle on the driver side that led to the vehicle rolling over three times. the air bags failed to deploy. there was one injury reported that required medical attention. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where…”
2015-10-06 · Service Brakes · 63,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2004 mitsubishi eclipse. while driving approximately 35 mph, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle hesitated to stop. the failure recurred multiple times. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign id number: 15v337000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the part was unavailable to perform the repairs. the …”
2013-07-02 · Wheels · 83,000 mi · 💥 crash“roommate driving my vehicle with myself in passenger seat. struck a dear monday morning at approximately 60mph. vehicle was put into a ditch and rolled at least 1 time into a marsh on left side of the road. vehicle received major: front, both side, rear and roof damage. not one air bag was deployed. *tr…”
2012-10-12 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 98,000 mi“my mitsubishi eclipse sputters and dies when there is less than 1/2 tank fuel. mitsubishi 2004 has a recall on the fuel return line hose fitting on the fuel pump, which could cause a fire. mitsubishi claims my car was manufactured on a different production line, therefore, it is not their problem. really? *tr…”
2009-10-28 · Structure:body · 36,000 mi“i have a 2004 black mitsubishi eclipse that the paint has been falling off of, just like several other complaints. the paint started delaminating about 3years ago and just progressed from there. the car looks horrible! mitsubishi has been downright rude re: this matter. they will not fix the paint issue due to car being out of warranty. *tr…”
2009-09-07 · Structure · 40,000 mi“clearcoat peeling off mitsubishi-defective paint. *tr…”
2009-01-19 · Steering“problem: harness. every time i lift the steering wheel up, the engine turns off. i have tried to go to the mitsubishi dealer and to honda sierra where i bought the car (used) and they didn't want to take responsibility for it. i was like a tennis ball, so, i got tired of it. i even send a letter to honda sierra to deal with the problem because i bo…”
2006-01-27 · Structure:body:door · 450 mi“on second day of ownership i heard a very loud metal cracking sound while sitting in the car preparing to drive. car was not started or moving). upon inspection there was no visible defect. about a week later i had an identical experience. this time i noticed a crack in the body seam located on the driver's side door. the door would no longer c…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.