Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
Also the person that did the sunvisor recall repair gave me a dirty and/ or used passenger side sun visor tether strap assembly. I was also charged 130 dollars for a miscellaneous diagnostic which states could not duplicate customers concern at this time and I would like to have that same 130 dollars refunded back to me and the $160 dollars for air conditioning inspection deducted from the costs of repairs. I had previously taken this vehicle totowsontowne garage in towson md. For service and was informed to have the air conditioning unit serviced by Mitsubishi because he could not locate where the wiring was for or leading to the compressor. Towsontowne garage never mentioned anything about needing a condenser or timing belts on July 22nd 2020.
Recall notice 99V305001 the turn signals wont cancel and wont stay on and the headlights stay on. I contacted the dealer and Mitsubishi customer service [phone] and both say my car is not part of the recall. The turn signals don't work when the car is in motion and the headlights stay on when I parked and turned off the car.
The 30 amp fuse connection that controls the A/C-heater blower motor, burns out in the fuse block. I have replaced the fuse block 3 times and they end up burning out this circuit. This could easily start an electrical fire should the fuse be faulty and not blow itself out...
I have 2 complaints. My wheels were also dented and fractured upon inspection and had visible wear to my tires. Two different garages had stated to go to the dealer and check on it. They of course said there was no problem and just to buy new rims at $385.00 each or tires. Of course, after buying tires a few times, I just bought after market rims. The second complaint, is I have had visible corrosion on the battery cables on my car for years and asked the dealer if there was a reason so much is gathering, they advised no. Well, I have replaced the battery and still am having the same problems such as: air conditioner goes out with the light blinking, car does not start, or while driving it will stall as well as run very sluggish. I have asked repeatedly if there is a problem and they stated not for my car, due to the date made. …
When attempting to start the vehicle after driving for a while the car would not start. I would have to move the cable harness and clamp around the battery posts to get a good connection so the car would start. I could not tighten the nut and bolt any further without breaking the bolt that secured the clamp around the battery post. I could not get my air conditioning unit to work since August of 2019 when parking my vehicle, then removing my key from the ignition, then opening the door to exit the vehicle, the horn activated and would not stop until removing the clamps to the battery posts. The front lights would start to flash if all doors were locked and the car was in park and the trunk door was opened with key. The passenger side window would not at times operate even after the regulator and motor was replaced. …
I am the technician who repaired this defect. The vehicle was a no start, no crank complaint. Also vehicle had no dash or accessory power. The main ignition feed from the underhood fusebox had no power at the ignition switch & testing proved it was shorted to ground. There were also several other components with no power such as pin 16 at dlc, starter & anti-theft relays. These circuits are hot at all times. After extensive troubleshooting I found a severely burned and shorted wire harness that rubbed through the insulation from contacting the sharp edges of the fender sheet metal. This harness runs from the under hood fusebox through the fender well to the junction block under the dash. There were no blown fuses found as a result of this which is highly unusual with the amount of current on these circuits. …
Tl contact owns a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse. In November of 2007, the contact had to replace the battery and the negative terminal due to corrosion. Several months later, the vehicle would not start and was towed to a local mechanic. The mechanic stated that the failure was caused by a defective fuse and it was replaced. The dealer stated that her VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 99V333001 (electrical system:battery:cables). The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer. They have not provided any assistance. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 65,000.
I am now replacing the second headlamp connection socket on my 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Both have failed by buildup of corrosion of the socket material, dimming of the headlamp, heating and melting of the socket material to failure. Two safety issues exist: first the possibility of a fire in the engine compartment from the over heated connector and melted wiring. Second the gradual dimming of the headlamp leads to inadequate illumination of the road during operation after dark. The local dealer knew the part before I could fully explain, leading me to believe the failure is widespread.
At approx. 55,000 miles, the starter relay burned out and vehicle could not be started. Symptoms were erratic indicator lights on dashboard and unpredictable behavior of all electrical devices. For example, the cd player spontaneously ejected the cd. Replacing the starter relay solved the problem. Given that this occurs without warning and with no clear indication of what's wrong, it can easily lead to stranded motorists when the fault is with a very inexpensive, inadequately designed electrical component.
While driving at night on interstate, one headlight dimmed and then went out completely. Repairshop was unable to repair because headlight socket was melted. Referred me to Mitsubishi dealer. Before repair completed, the second headlight went out while driving at night on interstate on subsequent evening. Fog lights were also not operational. Only parking lights operational. It appears from other complaints that this is a chronic lighting safety issue with the Mitsubishi Eclipse.
Related recalls
Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery › Cables
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with v6 engines and federal emission equipment. The battery cable harness can become heat damaged by the front exhaust manifold which could cause grounded circuits.
Remedy: Dealers will remove and discard a metal manifold bracket (from galant models only - eclipse has no such bracket). Dealers will also inspect the harness.
Electrical complaints in other Eclipse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the electrical system of the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 7% of the model year's 308 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery › cables (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 99V333001 (cables, Nov 23, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 99,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.