NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 124 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mitsubishi dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse owner complaints

Owners have filed 124 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse, describing incidents dated March 6, 2002 to November 28, 2024.

Most-cited components

  • Structure 31 complaints
  • Power Train 20 complaints
  • Engine 13 complaints
  • Visibility/Wiper 13 complaints
  • Air Bags 10 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 10 complaints

Of the 124 complaints on file, 15 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 124 complaints, owners report 10 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11644440 · Filed

    The crankshaft sensor is faulty and isn't working properly so my car has been shutting off randomly while I am driving it.

  • ODI #11234926 · Filed

    DASHBOARD CRACKS IN MULTIPLES OF AREA'S, WHICH DOES EFFECT THE POSITION OF THE AIRBAG. THE PLASTIC IS VERY BRITTLE TO THE POINT WHEN IT CRACKS IT'S AS SHARP AS A RAZOR. I REVIEWED SEVERAL WEB SITE AND NOTED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL TYPE OF MITSUBISHI'S. I HAVE A 2003 ECLIPSE THAT HAS A…

  • ODI #11062091 · Filed

    PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED CAUSED ME TO VEER OFF TO THE RIGHT FOR SAFETY.PASSENGER VISOR FLEW OFF HIT MY ARM AND FLEW OUT WINDOW. UNABLE TO SEE WITH AIRBAG IN MY FACE I ENDED UP HALF ON AND HALF OFF A CULVERT WITH CEMENT PIPE.CAR STOPPED AND THEN MY DRIVER AIRBAG SHOT FIRE AND CHEMICALS INTO MY…

Read all 124 complaints

Sun Visor May Detach During Air Bag Deployment

NHTSA #15V338000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported June 2, 2015 · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 443,442 vehicles

Repair completion: 3.62% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mitsubishi campaign SR-15-005 (FCA R30) · Owners notified July 20, 2015 · Vehicles built April 5, 1999 – December 17, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.

Safety consequence

If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.

Manufacturer 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. 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS

NHTSA #06E060000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported June 29, 2006 · AAI MOTORSPORTS USA, LLC

Potentially affected: 87,745 vehicles

Owners notified August 1, 2006

Defect description

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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Safety consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AAI MOTORSPORTS AFTERMARKET LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS."CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS

NHTSA #06E026000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported March 23, 2006 · PRO-A MOTORS, INC.

Potentially affected: 61,944 vehicles

Owners notified April 3, 2006

Defect description

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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Safety consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO PRO-A MOTORS AFTERMARKET LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS."CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN/FMVSS 208/AIR BAG LABEL

NHTSA #04V428000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported September 1, 2004 · MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN

Potentially affected: 100,432 vehicles

Vehicles built June 1, 1999 – September 30, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Safety consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Manufacturer 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. IN ADDITION, ALL CURRENT 2000-2004 NATIVA OWNERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG ALERT LABELS FOR THE SUN VISORS. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.

Notes

THE MANUFACTURER'S PETITION WHICH REQUESTED THAT NHTSA DETERMINE THIS FMVSS NONCOMPLIANCE DOES NOT CREATE AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY WAS PARTIALLY DENIED ON JANUARY 26, 2005. THEREFORE, THIS MANUFACTURER IS OBLIGATED TO CONDUCT AN OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY CAMPAIGN.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236.

MITSUBISHI/FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE

NHTSA #03V442000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported November 4, 2003 · MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 17,087 vehicles

Owners notified December 3, 2003 · Vehicles built June 11, 2003 – July 25, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 FUEL PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.

Safety consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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 SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037 OR MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-800-981-0452.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Other Mitsubishi Eclipse model years

Check your 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mitsubishi Eclipse at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Mitsubishi VIN