Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 2 | 25% | 89,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 4% | 130,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2006 | 3 | 3% | 13,000 miles |
| 2005 | 2 | 33% | 100,000 miles |
| 2004 | 1 | 7% | — |
| 2003 | 7 | 6% | 114,000 miles |
| 2002 | 5 | 7% | 132,000 miles |
| 2001 | 19 | 9% | 72,000 miles |
| 2000 | 21 | 7% | 99,000 miles |
| 1999 | 8 | 7% | 70,000 miles |
| 1998 | 9 | 7% | 81,000 miles |
| 1997 | 4 | 3% | 60,000 miles |
| 1996 | 9 | 6% | 52,000 miles |
| 1995 | 46 | 15% | 96,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse. While driving approximately 70 MPH, there were white fumes emitting from the hood of the vehicle as an unknown warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was overheated. The failure recurred on one occasion. The vehicle was taken a dealer where it was diagnosed that the unit breaker and the water pump needed to be replaced and the head gasket needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The contact stated that a bump was encountered while driving at 5 MPH, and the brakes hesitated to respond. 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 manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,000. The VIN was not available.
Today, April 21, 2011, I put my key in the ignition switch and my key broke. The metal part of the key had broken out of the plastic end. I was able to get the key out of the ignition. Upon inspecting both sets of keys, I noticed that both keys have a crack in the plastic starting from the posterior left corner base of the metal end extending mid way into the posterior plastic part. Both keys have the exact type of crack located in the same area consisting of the same width and pattern. Naturally, the crack in the broken key is alittle longer then the other key. This is obviously a design flaw considering that both keys consist of the same type of cracks. I have pictures of the keys and I also still have the defective key parts in my possession. I went to a Mitsubishi dealership in shreveport, louisiana later this evening to repair one of the keys.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The horn will sound without warning. Occasionally, the horn will not sound when pressed. The only way to stop the horn from blowing was to remove the fuse. The manufacturer was unable to diagnose the failure. The dealer attempted to repair the vehicle four times by replacing the horns twice and performing maintenance to the air bag, yet the problem recurred. The contact has a repair invoice. The current mileage was 19,000, and failure mileage was 13,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse. While rolling down the passenger side window, the contact noticed smoke and flames coming from the window switch area. The contact extinguished the fire and called the fire department. A fire report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that faulty wiring in the window caused the fire. The vehicle was repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.
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.
We were driving and car just died. But it still wanted to start just acted like didn't have gas. To but we just filled up. So we figured fuel pump. Replaced it and nothing still so then we call a dealer and he says most common thing that happens in these cars is computer gets fried.
My left turning signal would not return to the off position after turning and then out of the sudden my headlights on high beam would stay on permanently, low beams would not start . My turning signal stop working and now my car wont start.
Related recalls (1)
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mitsubishi Eclipse years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (46), 2000 (21), 2001 (19), 1996 (9) and 1998 (9) model years. Electrical complaints make up 15% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Mitsubishi Eclipse electrical problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 99V333001 (cables, Nov 23, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mitsubishi Eclipse electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles; 18% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the ignition (23 mentions), followed by the horn (14).
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.