Model year

2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse

NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 73 complaints for the 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 2 recalls and 24 complaints under ECLIPSE SPYDER. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are WHEELS:RIM (20), WHEELS (10), STRUCTURE (9). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 20–23 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,900–$4,100, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.

ABOUT THIS DATA

Recalls

15V338000 · Jun 2, 2015

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles…

04V428000 · Sep 1, 2004

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE BILINGUAL ENGLISH/SPANISH REMOVABLE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DASH AND TO THE SUNVISOR DO NOT MEET THE SIZE REQUIREMENTS…

Complaints

73 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 5, fire flag on 4, injury field 7, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.

  1. WHEELS:RIM20
  2. WHEELS10
  3. STRUCTURE9
  4. TIRES4
  5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
  6. AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2
  7. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD2
  8. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE2
  9. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE2
  10. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2

Other NHTSA names

These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.

Other matched NHTSA names
Name Recalls Complaints
ECLIPSE SPYDER 2 24

Investigations

Investigations in the NHTSA file (1). "No close date" means the file has no close date. It is not a statement that the investigation is still active.
ActionSubjectOpenedClosed
EA02007ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEEL DENTING · WHEELSMay 31, 2002May 1, 2003

Safety ratings

NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.

Fuel economy

EPA configurations. Electric rows show MPGe in the combined column and kWh/100 mi separately. Annual fuel cost is EPA's published fuelCost08 figure.
ConfigurationFuelCityHwyCombkWh/100 miRangeAnnual fuel cost
Eclipse Spyder · 2.4L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel DriveRegular Gasoline192722——$3,050
Eclipse Spyder · 2.4L · Automatic (S4) · Front-Wheel DriveRegular Gasoline172420——$3,350
Eclipse Spyder · 3L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel DrivePremium Gasoline182621——$3,900
Eclipse Spyder · 3L · Automatic (S4) · Front-Wheel DrivePremium Gasoline172520——$4,100
Eclipse · 2.4L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel DriveRegular Gasoline182521——$3,200
Eclipse · 2.4L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel DriveRegular Gasoline202823——$2,900
Eclipse · 2.4L · Automatic (S4) · Front-Wheel DriveRegular Gasoline182520——$3,350
Eclipse · 3L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel DrivePremium Gasoline182621——$3,900
Eclipse · 3L · Automatic (S4) · Front-Wheel DrivePremium Gasoline172620——$4,100

Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.

Check a vehicle

This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.

All Mitsubishi Eclipse model years