Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH and descending an incline on the road, the contact depressed the brake pedal, and the brake pedal went to the floorboard. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact used the parking brake to slow down the vehicle. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer because the closest dealer was 2 hours away, and the brakes had failed. The contact was aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V337000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact had called the manufacturer and was advised to find a local independent mechanic, and the manufacturer would ship the parts needed to complete the recall repair. The manufacturer had not included a key computer tool to set the ABS system correctly. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed about the lack of support. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard when depressed and the vehicle continued to accelerate. The vehicle spun out of control and the transmission shifted independently into the reverse position, which caused the vehicle to crash into a tree. The contact sustained injuries to the head, right arm, and fingers. The contact also suffered from a large hematoma on the right hip. The front passenger sustained head injuries. Medical attention was required for the injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a salvage facility. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact mentioned that the failure was related to the recall associated with NHTSA campaign number: 15V337000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 15V337000 (service brakes, hydraulic) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The dealer stated that the parts were not available for the recall repair and that a second notification would be issued when the recall parts were available. The manufacturer was made aware of the delay. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the brakes failed. As a result, the contact was involved in a head on collision. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 90,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse. While driving at various speeds and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brakes failed and the contact's vehicle rear ended another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 15V337000 (service brakes, hydraulic), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,000.
My daughter was driving the Eclipse, she turned onto a side street and the car spun out of control causing her to hit a parked car. The passenger side tire is sideways, I have pictures of the car after the accident. My insurance company totaled the car. The police are saying she was at fault for the accident. There is a recall on the VIN number.
As many others have described; anti-lock brakes engaged in light snowy conditions. Pedal firmness was lost. Initially brakes would grab when pedal pushed, then loss of brake pressure until pedal was pushed all the way down to floor (hissing sound). Some brake pressure could be restored by tapping brake as brakes were applied, but this application was not always consistent. Took car to national chain brake/tire shop. They looked at car and determined that calipers were hung up, so adjusted and lubricated calipers. This did not fix problem so brake lines were bled, still did not fix problem. Shop determined that they needed Mitsubishi proprietary diagnostic equipment to repair (refunded money for failed repair). Recommended car be returned to dealer for repairs. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 15V337000 (service brakes, hydraulic) in July of 2015. The vehicle was taken to goldstein Mitsubishi (613 new loudon rd, latham, ny 12110, [phone]) in April of 2016 to be repaired. The contact stated that a temporary remedy was performed because the parts were not available to permanently repair the corrosion of the ABS hydraulic unit. However, the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was repaired in 2016. While driving 40 MPH over a bump or pothole, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard and the vehicle would become very difficult to stop. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing since the brakes were replaced two months ago. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The contact stated that the brake pedal was applied and extended to the floorboard numerous times. The failure progressed for years. The vehicle was taken to more than two repair shops and they were not able to replicate and diagnose the failure. The vehicle was to be taken to the dealer to receive the recall repair, but the contact was informed that the repair would not be scheduled until the second recall notification was received. The contact was unable to determine when the second recall notice would be mailed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V337000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the progressing failure, which occurred prior to notification of the recall. Until the second notice was received, the repair was unable to be scheduled because the remedy was not available. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V337000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact experienced a failure. While driving approximately 25 MPH and attempting to apply the brakes, the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The contact had to exert an abnormal amount of pressure in order for the vehicle to stop. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 2/4/16 the consumer stated when he attempted to apply the brake, it went to the floor. The rotors were recently turned and there were no signs of a brake fluid leak. Updated 02/25/16.
Safety recall notice received on ABS brakes, brake stroke has increased dramatically, breaks are squishy and need to be pumped, symptoms are as described on recall notice, pads are OK, no air in lines, fluid level OK. Called local dealer ......Mitsubishi(delete) and was told they were not authorized yet to make repairs on the recall . I could take it in and pay for the checks and repairs my self and submit bill for refund to Mitsubishi. Not acceptable to me at this time,( expect several hundred dollars). Called Mitsubishi customer relations department number listed on the recall notice [phone]) was told the same thing that parts are not available but I could take it in, have local dealer make repairs, pay for it myself and send bill to them. Again not acceptable. Will wait until I get the second notice to take the car in for repair I guess.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 20, 2005, to February 13, 2009, and 2007-2009 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured December 23, 2005, to February 13, 2009.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, flush and clean the ABS hydraulic unit using high grade brake fluid, free of charge. If the inspection shows that the valves may seize, the ABS unit will be replaced.
Brake complaints in other Eclipse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse?
NHTSA has 58 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 82% of the model year's 71 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-337 (control unit/module, Jun 2, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes 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.