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 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The contact stated that while driving, there was an odor of fuel present. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact also indicated that water had leaked from the floor board causing the brake pedal to become slippery. In addition, the vehicle would not start. While checking the battery connection the contact discovered that the battery cable was smoking and had melted. The vehicle was taken an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the air conditioning hose that failed caused the water leak. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The contact stated that the hatch back and sun roof had water leakage. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.
I purchased the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse new off the lot in April 2003. I have taken care of the car with regular washes and attempts to keep it clean. Last year started noticing light grey spots developing on the top of the car behind the sun roof. Now ,just a year later, the spots increased and are now located all over the car. Every day they appear to be getting wide r and larger in size. I have had many paint chips knocked off the front of the car in just normal driving conditions and those spots are now also starting to rust. I am very upset about this as I spent good money on this car thinking it would be a reputable company. I have never had a car this new start experiencing such paint problems. There is no excuse for this. I have completed research online about the paint problems with Mitsubishi, and it appeared I wa s not alone. …
I own a black 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse. On or about June 1, 2007 I noticed a mysterious white spot forming on the roof of my car. Within the next month or so, the white spot turned into several white spots and now currently on August 5, 2008 the entire roof is covered in white and one has even turned to rust. I contacted a Mitsubishi dealership and was told that the car is not covered after 36,000 miles. My question is, what does mileage have to do with paint? I then did some research online and found out that this is a very common problem with Mitsubishi vehicles produced around 2003 and that the issue is due to a defect in the primer used by the company. So why doesn't Mitsubishi fess up to their problem and fix the mess? There are thousands if not millions of dissatisfied customers with newer vehicles that look horrible. …
Tl contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse. When the contact bought the vehicle, she noticed that the paint was fading from gray to white. Through online research, she found a few complaints about the same defect on her vehicle. The dealer stated that there was a recall for the vehicle's paint, but her vehicle was excluded since it was purchased in 2006. The vehicle is currently at the insurance company, but would have to be repaired at the owner's expense. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 69,000.
There was no incident, crash or injury. I purchased a black 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse, in 2005, which had 40000 mi on nit. The paint was OK at time of purchase. Unknown to me, Mitsubishi vehicles from 1999-2004 have defective primer which causes the paint to flake off in large quantities. I had the vehicle less than a year when the paint starting coming off. The manufacturers aware of the problem, but only fixes some of the vehicles. My claim was denied. I believe these vehicles should be recalled due to defective paint.
Purchased 2003 silver Eclipse gs with 5000 miles in June 2003. With in 12 months, paint was showing signs of wear and flaking off exposing primer coat. This deterioration progressed quickly and after 5 years hood, roof and rear quarter panels are almost completely down to primer. I am filing now to hopefully raise the number of complaints to the point where somebody realizes this is not an isolated incident but a systemic defect for which Mitsubishi should be held accountable.
Purchased brand new 2003 Eclipse in 2004. I am experiencing paint delamination and it's spreading rapidly. Went to the Mitsubishi dealer after finding out many others are experiencing this problem. They took pictures and said they will contact Mitsubishi. I was notified the next day that my car has been declined any help due to expiration in warranty.
I noticed recently that a section of the roof on my car was whitish in color. Quite apparent as my car is black in color. I have heard and read from many sources that this issue was prevalent in 2003 models and obviously mine is not exempt much to my disappointment. I hope that Mitsubishi steps up to the plate to correct this manufacturer defect.
I own a 2003 black Mitsubishi Eclipse gts that has a horrible oxidizing paint problem. The hood, trunk and top of my car are nearly all gray at this point. The problem first appeared about two years ago when the car was only three years old. The dealership refused to repaint the car stating that it was past warranty.
Body complaints in other Eclipse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the body & structure of the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 25% of the model year's 124 complaints. The component named most often is body (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse, though it has 3 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 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
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.