2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mitsubishi Eclipse Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2001 highlighted. 1986: 0 complaints 1986 1987: 0 complaints 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 2 complaints 1990: 46 complaints 1990 1991: 54 complaints 1992: 49 complaints 1993: 36 complaints 1994: 34 complaints 1994 1995: 307 complaints 1996: 159 complaints 1997: 136 complaints 1998: 129 complaints 1998 1999: 120 complaints 2000: 308 complaints 2001: 209 complaints 2001 2002: 73 complaints 2002 2003: 124 complaints 2004: 14 complaints 2005: 6 complaints 2006: 99 complaints 2006 2007: 107 complaints 2008: 71 complaints 2009: 42 complaints 2010: 1 complaints 2010 2011: 1 complaints 2012: 8 complaints 2012
2001: 209 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19860
19870
19880
19892
199046
199154
199249
199336
199434
1995307
1996159
1997136
1998129
1999120
2000308
2001209
200273
2003124
200414
20056
200699
2007107
200871
200942
20101
20111
20128

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

WHEELS 30%

30% of complaints: wheels — 62 distinct reports on file.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 7%

7% of complaints: exterior lighting — 14 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
AIR BAGS 6%

6% of complaints: air bags — 13 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH MAKING A SHARP TURN, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150810

WHEELS 6%

6% of complaints: wheels — 12 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE TRYING TO AVOID A SPIN OUT IN HEAVY SNOW. I TURNED TO INTO THE CURB TO HELP STOP MY CAR. MY WHEEL IS ALUMINUM SPOKE DESIGN. ALL THE SPOKES FRACTURED COMPLETELY OUT OF THE WHEEL. THE TIRE STILL HAD AIR. MY WHEEL CAME OFF.

NHTSA ODI report, 20010403

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6%

6% of complaints: electrical system — 12 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

I almost got into a accident because it's late sobits really hard to see because the headlights u cnt see any at all at night I can use a flash light out the window and see better like that but on top of that my car just decides to up and stall on...

NHTSA ODI report, 20221116

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20001120 — engine and engine cooling

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HARNESS FOR THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH A NEW PROTECTIVE SHIELD CAUSING A GROUNDED CIRCUIT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HARNESS.

Campaign 00V299001 — check if this car was fixed

2001 — complaint volume: 209
R 20010115 — fuel system, gasoline

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OUTER LAYER ONLY OF THIS 3-LAYER FUEL RETURN HOSE DOES NOT CONTAIN THE DESIRED OZONE PROTECTION DUE TO A PROCESSING ERROR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.

Campaign 00V320001 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010215 — seats

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A NUMBER OF INCORRECT DRIVER SIDE SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS WERE INSTALLED INTO VEHICLES.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS AND THEN REPLACE THE BOLTS IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 15, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREE

Campaign 01V005001 — check if this car was fixed

I 20010301 — PE (closed 20011106)

FRONT SHOULDER BELT WEBBING GUIDE

R 20010326 — fuel system, gasoline

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A BULGE IN THE FUEL TANK CAUSED BY THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS RESULTED IN THINNING OF THE MATERIAL DURING A WELDING OPERATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF FUEL L

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 26, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FR

Campaign 01V069000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010326 — power train

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A HOSE WAS MIS-MANUFACTURED AND COULD WEAKEN OVER TIME, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FL

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOSE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING WILL BE PHASED OVER A FIVE-MONTH PERIOD STARTING MARCH 26, THROUGH JULY 23, 2001. OWNERS

Campaign 01V011001 — check if this car was fixed

I 20011218 — PE (closed 20020531)

ALLOY WHEEL DENTING AND FRACTURING

I 20020531 — EA (closed 20030501)

ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEEL DENTING

I 20050210 — PE (closed 20050608)

HEADLIGHTS FAILURE

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060701 — exterior lighting

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 N

Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060801 — exterior lighting

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 RE

Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

Campaign 06E060000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150720 — air bags

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 15V338000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — equipment

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.

Remedy: MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN WILL MAIL A CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER CONTAINING A WRITTEN DESCRIPTION AND A GRAPHIC OF THE BI-LINGUAL DASHBOARD AIR BAG WARNING LABEL.

Campaign 04V428000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for wheels issues (62 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (13 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V428000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V299001 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V320001 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V005001 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V069000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V011001 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E060000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V338000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1994 ▲ 1993 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 2000 ◆ 1996

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse?

The most-reported component is wheels:rim, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse have?

10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.