Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
1) a common issue according to the forums and facebook groups, the strut towers rust through which presents a safety issue when considering that the suspension is connected to the steering which could put an individual or others on the road at risk 2) yet another common issue, the dash and associated bezels crack over time. There has been no solution or alternative to complete replacement from anyone, including (I'm sure) Mitsubishi.
The car makes a sound in the rear when I make a turn.the turning radius is very bad.I wouldn't do a u turn with it.the other issue is that the A/C stopped working on a very hot day.when I turned on the A/C the car turned off this almost caused a accident due to the sudden stop.the dashboard is all cracked.other than that the car seems good.everything else about the car I do like.the paint is peeling off and there seems to be some rust.
I have a black 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Problem1: the hard plastic dashboard deck has cracked all the way across it's width into 3 pieces. The car was never in a wreck or subjected to any unusual forces that would cause it to crack. The replacement cost and especially labor to replace it is expensive. I suspect the plastic used for the dashboard deck is not uv resistant and is breaking down and becoming brittle from exposure to the sunlight. Problem 2: around 1-1/2 years ago or maybe longer, the paint or primer on the hood, cab top and trunk lid started bubbling up into rough 'cancer' spots that began fading and turning white. They start with a small spot and then rapidly grow across the entire surface. My trunk lid and roof is almost completely covered and the hood is about 50%. The paint on the rest of the car has not exhibited the same problem so far. …
My 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse leaks water one the driver and passenger sides. The water leaks from the hatchback area, especially when the car is parked on a downhill position. The hatchback area only has a small hole for the water to drain and it clogs very easily. Sometimes it doesn't even clog but somehow the water still does not drain. The service department at Mitsubishi "blows out" the hole but this is only a temporary fix. I check it at least once a week and it still floods. The flooding gets so bad that it shorts the speakers and stero equipment which is located under the seat. My car has flooded at least 50 different times since owning this vehicle and the continue to tell me that nothing can be done except for this "blowing out" the hole garbage. Don't buy this car if you have to park on any sort of hills. …
I have experienced multiple problems with my 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse. I assumed they were all just normal wear and tear until my most recent incident - the cover to my shock, passenger side, completely rusted exposing my shocks and allowing them to pop up, denting my hood and remaining exposed while I drive. Since this is such an unusual problem, I began investigating the other issues and they are all related to multiple recalls issued on my vehicle. I contacted Mitsubishi to alert them to the defect(s) as well as encourage them to alert other owners of the same model. It took them less than a week to decide not to investigate my car. They haven't even seen the damage. I offered to send photos and they were declined. They didn't even want a licensed Mitsubishi dealer to inspect my car. I think their lack of interest and concern is irresponsible and dangerous.
Bought a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse new. About 3 years later noticed the paint was starting to come off the roof. Took it to the dealership and they said sorry it is not covered, it was probably due to hot texas sun. They did not even log the complaint. That dealership closed later on. Now my paint is off over most of the car and is very ugly. It is down to the metal. I am embarrassed to drive it but tell anyone who will listen that while still under warranty, Mitsubishi refused to repaint it. Also all the dashes crack in them. Mine within the first 3 years. There are too many complaints about the black paint on many of the 1999-2005 for there not to be something done about it. My car is almost 9 years old and still has less the 60,000 miles on it. Please someone help all of us drivers with black mitsubishes. I will never buy another.
The clear coat on my car is bubbling and then flaking off. I have multiple large sections of my car with the clear coat bubbling up and flaking off. It looks horrendous. On top of that, everytime there is any moisture in the air or it rains, the door handles become dotted. My car is patriot red pearl and the dots are a pinkish red. It is very odd. The dealers will typically repaint the handles but the dots will still appear. My biggest concern right now is the quality of paint and clear coat that is applied on the car. I would really like to see my car, and many other enthusiastic Mitsubishi Eclipse owners cars taken care of. (I own a 2000 Eclipse) thanks!
I have a 2000 Eclipse gt and the dash is cracked in it. It is made of a cheap plastic that cracks very very easily. I have complained to Mitsubishi numerous times and they have done nothing to help me. I know that there are thousands of eclipses that also are having this problem. Someone can go to numerous Eclipse forums and see this. I feel the dash being cracked can also be a safety hazard. Having cracks in the dash make it not as sturdy and could be dangerous when operating the vehicle. If there is any way you guys can forward this on to Mitsubishi I would greatly appreciate it.
Consumers daughter was driving, noticed black smoke coming through air conditioning vents, vehicle looked to be on fire, consumer took vehicle to dealer, and they could not determine what had cause the fire. Prior to the fire, the engine would start, air condition was inoperative,sunroff was inoperative, mirror were inoperative, emergency brake was inoperative needed to be readjusted,fog lights stayed on even with the key out of ignition, windshield wiper was inoperative, cargo cover was loose, there was a problem with the power steering
I have a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse gt. The dash started cracking about a year and a half ago. Almost every part of the dash is cracked now. I got a quote from a Mitsubishi dealer and the cost to replace the dash was $600+. I also checked a salvage yard with no luck at finding a replacement. I am worried that the cracking of the dash will cause an electrical failure or some other failure and I don't have the money to pay for a new one.
Body complaints in other Eclipse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the body & structure of the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 13% of the model year's 308 complaints. The component named most often is body (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.