Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
The contact owns a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the turn signal and headlights failed. The contact stated that the high beam failed to operate correctly whether the vehicle was turned or not. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V305001 (Exterior Lighting, Visibility). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
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.
I purchased a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse gt in 2001 and recently the left head lamp dimmed and I thought the head lamp needed to be replaced. I purchased a new bulb only to discover the head lamp harness had been melted. Shortly there after I driving home after sunset and both head lamps went out. All I could do was turn on my fog lamps to get light to see where I was going. I live in rural area and without any street lamps I could not even see the road. Once I arrived home I had my husband check the head lamp and the right head lamp harness is now melted as well. Mitsubishi should be held accountable for defective parts and design. I am very thankful that both my children had not been in the car with me when the head lamps decided to go. Additionally, my husband did verify that the fuses were not blown. I have read of others with the same year and model Eclipse with the same problem.
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
Tl contact owns a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The contact noticed that his turn signal lever was becoming loose. A month later, the turn signal lever fractured and is currently hanging on by the wiring. He discovered NHTSA campaign id number 99V305001 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer:switch/wiring); however, the dealer stated that the recall applied to Mitsubishi galants. The manufacturer also stated that the recall did not relate to his vehicle. The current mileage was 131,000 and failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 mitsubish Eclipse. The contact stated that the turn signal lever detached from the steering column and she was unable to use turn signals. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was made aware of the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 99V305001 (exterior lighting:turn signal:switch). The manufacturer was then notified and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 145,000.
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.
Both the right and left headlamp on my wife's 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse stopped working (both high and low beams) at the exact same time. Upon investigating, we found that all fuses were OK, but the headlamp wiring harnesses had melted. This is the same problem that has been reported in case numbers 10145878, 10111932, and 10100237. If this problem occured in the middle of a night-time drive, it could create a very dangerous situation.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The contact stated that she was unable to turn the headlights off, which caused the battery to die. As of July 16, 2007, the dealer has not inspected the vehicle. The dealer stated that her VIN was excluded from recall # 99V305001 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer:switch/wiring). The VIN, powertrain, and engine size were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 53,000.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The contact stated that the headlights and other exterior lighting no longer work on his vehicle. His VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 99V305001 (exterior lighting:turn signal:headlights). The failure and current mileages were 114,000.
NHTSA investigations
Headlights failure
Improper installation of the original equipment headlight connector can cause increased terminal resistance and overheat the headlight connector.this problem can affect independently either headlight but does not cause simultaneous failure of both headlights.
Headlight complaints in other Eclipse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the lights of the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 8% of the model year's 308 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to lights 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.