MYRModel Year Report

2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse

● Typical for this model
2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:45:02.785Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% 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
124
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Structure

26% 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 2003: 124 complaints 2003 124 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 2001 2002: 73 complaints 2003: 124 complaints 2003 124 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 2003: 124 complaints 2003 124 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

2003: 124 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.

Structure

26% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing body and door.

Power train

18% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing clutch assembly and manual transmission.

CRASHINJURY

Visibility

10% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing sun/moon roof assembly and windshield.

Engine and engine cooling

10% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing engine and emission control.

FIRE

Air bags

8% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Passenger airbag deployed caused me to veer off to the right for safety.passenger visor flew off hit my arm and flew out window.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-11

Also filed under Visibility/wiper

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The contact stated that the front driver side air bag failed to deploy when the contact rear ended another vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent body shop for further inspection.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-09-22

The day after the vehicle was purchased driver applied pressure to brake pedal and the vehicle fishtailed across the road. Vehicle went airborne, and flipped over into a ditch. Vehicle was totaled. The air bags also did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-08-06

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    2003-12-03Fuel system, gasoline03V442000 On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel return line hose fitting on the electric fuel pump may be restricted, causing excessive fuel pressure to build up in the fuel injection system. Excessive…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel pump pressure. Those vehicles exhibiting higher than normal fuel pump pressure will receive fuel pump modifications. The recall began December 3, 2003. Owners…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  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

2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Structure: 32 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 22 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 12 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V428000 · Equipment
  • Recall 03V442000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • 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 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse have?
5 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.