MYRModel Year Report

2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse

▲ Better than typical
2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:31:47.029Z

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
73
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Wheels

41% of complaints

Complaints per year

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 2002: 73 complaints 2002 73 2003: 124 complaints 2004: 14 complaints 2005: 6 complaints 2006: 99 complaints 2007: 107 complaints 2007 2008: 71 complaints 2009: 42 complaints 2010: 1 complaint 2010 2011: 1 complaint 2012: 8 complaints
1989: 2 complaints 1989 1990: 47 complaints 1991: 55 complaints 1991 1992: 49 complaints 1993: 37 complaints 1993 1994: 35 complaints 1995: 307 complaints 1995 1996: 159 complaints 1997: 136 complaints 1997 1998: 129 complaints 1999: 120 complaints 1999 2000: 308 complaints 2001: 209 complaints 2002: 73 complaints 2002 73 2003: 124 complaints 2004: 14 complaints 2005: 6 complaints 2005 2006: 99 complaints 2007: 107 complaints 2007 2008: 71 complaints 2009: 42 complaints 2009 2010: 1 complaint 2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 8 complaints
1989: 2 complaints 1989 1990: 47 complaints 1990 1991: 55 complaints 1991 1992: 49 complaints 1992 1993: 37 complaints 1993 1994: 35 complaints 1994 1995: 307 complaints 1995 1996: 159 complaints 1996 1997: 136 complaints 1997 1998: 129 complaints 1998 1999: 120 complaints 1999 2000: 308 complaints 2000 2001: 209 complaints 2001 2002: 73 complaints 2002 73 2003: 124 complaints 2003 2004: 14 complaints 2004 2005: 6 complaints 2005 2006: 99 complaints 2006 2007: 107 complaints 2007 2008: 71 complaints 2008 2009: 42 complaints 2009 2010: 1 complaint 2010 2011: 1 complaint 2011 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% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing rim.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2003-04-29

Also filed under Tires

Structure

22% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing body and underbody shields.

FIREINJURY
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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-04-19

Tires

8% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing sidewall.

CRASHINJURY

Electrical system

7% · 5 reports

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-12-10

At 65MPH vehicle started to catch on fire under the hood, causing consumer to pull over. Dealer notified.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-07-30

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, 2012-03-19

Also filed under Fuel system, gasoline

Service brakes

5% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2002-05-31Engineering analysisClosed 2003-05-01 Aluminum alloy wheel denting
  2. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2006-08-01Exterior lighting06E060000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2015-07-20Air bags15V338000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    Date not on fileEquipment04V428000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Wheels: 30 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 16 reports on file for this year.
  • Tires: 6 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V428000 · Equipment
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E060000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 15V338000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.