Fuel System complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
Fuel mileage is bad and when filling up if you can it keeps clicking and smelling like fuel inside car. No lighting in car at all. Had to replace suspension as the bolts were worn. Paint chipping all over car. Cooling system keeps failing and somehow I have water keeps coming in on floor boards and the floor is soaked and stinks.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The contact stated that upon refueling the vehicle, fuel leaked out through the fuel neck due to rust. The contact also stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 185,000.
After checking out service engine codes p0456 and p0457 (evaporative emission control system leak detected) I found the fuel filler neck tube and all vent lines totally corroded through. The vehicle is a 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse and this assembly is located in the rear right side wheel well. Driving area is the northeast and found sand and debris packed all around assembly where tubes make a 90 degree turn through a support/protective bracket. I repaired with a new fuel neck assembly (part no. Mr73836) purchased from a local dealership at a cost of $200 for parts only. No fuel had yet leaked out but would have in a short time if this part was not replaced. Dealer stated that this vehicle was not recalled for this problem but other Mitsubishi models around this same year had been recalled for this same condition.
Prolonged wiring harness contact with the heat shield causes the wiring insulation to wear & ground out causing the engine to die-out. Had an iccident few days ago where the engine died out and I was in the middle of an intersection and almost got hit by oncoming traffic . This is seriously not okay and a major safety concern. Please help me.
The service engine light was on and the codes show an evaporative emissions leak. Several service visits did not resolve the problem. Finally it was found that the fuel filler tube was totally rusted out and close to falling off. Apparently this is a fairly common problem with the 2001 Eclipse and was causing fule leakage as well as vapor leakage. This could have caused a fire or resulted in the vehicle being disabled. The mechanic said he had never seen a fuel filler tube in such bad shape. Mitsubishi dealer stated they didnt want to deal with the issue due to the high repair cost.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The contact stated that while refueling, there was fuel leaking from the vehicle. The contact stated that the fuel lines were rusted and fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse. While refueling, the vehicle, the contact noticed fuel leaking. The contact stated that the fuel lines were rusted and fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Related recalls (6)
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Mitsubishi is recalling 45,988 my 2005-2007 endeavor, galant, eclipse coupe, and my 2007 eclipse spyder vehicles. The bracket that is the attachment point for the left rear fuel tank mounting strap May have been improperly formed during a metal stamping process.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect to see if the left rear fuel tank strap mounting bracket has splitting beyond a specific limit. Vehicles with moderate to severe splitting will be repaired using a reinforcement cap, a special…
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel return line hose fitting on the electric fuel pump May be improperly molded.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump. The recall began on July 26, 2004. Owners should contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel return line hose fitting on the electric fuel pump May be restricted, causing excessive fuel pressure to build up in the fuel injection system. Excessive fuel pressure May result in a leak in the fuel return hose.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel pump pressure. Those vehicles exhibiting higher than normal fuel pump pressure will receive fuel pump modifications. The recall began December 3, 2003.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A bulge in the fuel tank caused by the manufacturing process resulted in thinning of the material during a welding operation, increasing the risk of fuel leakage.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank assembly. Owner notification began March 26, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The outer layer only of this 3-layer fuel return hose does not contain the desired ozone protection due to a processing error.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel return hose.
Show 1 more recall
Fuel system, gasoline
The fuel tank gaskets for the fuel pump and/or gauge unit gasket could have been incorrectly installed allowing fuel or fumes to escape.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and if the gaskets are found to be leaking, replace the fuel tank, caps and gaskets.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mitsubishi Eclipse years have fuel system problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (23), 2001 (11), 2003 (10), 2000 (8) and 1996 (5) model years. Fuel System complaints make up 7% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Mitsubishi Eclipse fuel system problems?
Yes — 6 recalls, including 08V-454 (tank assembly, Sep 9, 2008); 04V-312 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Jun 29, 2004); 03V-442 (fuel pump, Nov 4, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mitsubishi Eclipse fuel system problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles; 14% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the storage › tank assembly (17 mentions), followed by the delivery › fuel pump (10).
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.