Model year
2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 124 complaints for the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 3 recalls and 27 complaints under ECLIPSE SPYDER. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are STRUCTURE (14), STRUCTURE:BODY (14), POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY (8). NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 20–24 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,800–$4,100, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 308 complaints
- 2001 209 complaints
- 2002 73 complaints
- 2003 124 complaints
- 2004 14 complaints
- 2005 6 complaints
- 2006 99 complaints
- 2007 107 complaints
- 2008 71 complaints
- 2009 42 complaints
- 2010 1 complaints
- 2011 1 complaints
- 2012 8 complaints
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…
03V442000 · Nov 4, 2003
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.
Complaints
124 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 15, fire flag on 4, injury field 10, 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.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| ECLIPSE SPYDER | 3 | 27 |
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eclipse Spyder · 2.4L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 28 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Eclipse Spyder · 2.4L · Automatic (S4) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Eclipse Spyder · 3L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| Eclipse Spyder · 3L · Automatic (S4) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| Eclipse · 2.4L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 25 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Eclipse · 2.4L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Eclipse · 2.4L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 28 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Eclipse · 2.4L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 29 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Eclipse · 2.4L · Automatic (S4) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 25 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Eclipse · 2.4L · Automatic (S4) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Eclipse · 3L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| Eclipse · 3L · Automatic (S4) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 25 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
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 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.