MYRModel Year Report

2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse

▲ Better than typical
2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
RENDERED 2026-09-16T20:38:15.878Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than 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, 2002 highlighted. 1989: 2 complaints 1989 1990: 47 complaints 1991: 55 complaints 1992: 49 complaints 1992 1993: 37 complaints 1994: 35 complaints 1995: 307 complaints 1995 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 2004 2005: 6 complaints 2006: 99 complaints 2007: 107 complaints 2007 2008: 71 complaints 2009: 42 complaints 2010: 1 complaints 2010 2011: 1 complaints 2012: 8 complaints 2012
2002: 73 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19860
19870
19880
19892
199047
199155
199249
199337
199435
1995307
1996159
1997136
1998129
1999120
2000308
2001209
200273
2003124
200414
20056
200699
2007107
200871
200942
20101
20111
20128

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

WHEELS 41%

41% of complaints: wheels — 30 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rim.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

RIMS BENT AT SPEED OF 50 MPH CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. *PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**770826

NHTSA ODI report, 20030429

Also filed under TIRES

STRUCTURE 22%

22% of complaints: structure — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and underbody shields.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

2002 MITSHABISHI ECLIPSE REAR BUMPER STARTED TO BURN AND I HAD JUST PARKED AT WORK I WAS FOUND SLUMPED OVER BEHIND THE WHEEL APPARENTLY FROM THE FUMES OF THE BURNING PLASTIC. I HOPE MY REPORTING THIS REMOVES PLASTIC IN AREAS THAT MAY BE IGNITED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20040419

TIRES 8%

8% of complaints: tires — 6 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing sidewall.

CRASH INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front underhood.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20141210

AT 65MPH VEHICLE STARTED TO CATCH ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020730

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120319

Also filed under FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

SERVICE BRAKES 5%

5% of complaints: service brakes — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20020531 — EA (closed 20030501)

ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEEL DENTING

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 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

2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for wheels issues (30 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for tires issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V428000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E060000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V338000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1994 ▲ 1993 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 2000 ■ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse?

The most-reported component is wheels, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.