2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse: 3 recalls, 124 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #03V442000 · 2003 · 17,087 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
The fix: 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. Owners should contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037 or Mitsubishi caribbean at 1-800-981-0452.
Equipment Vehicle recall #04V428000 · 2004 · 100,432 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 of the standard.
Why it matters: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
The fix: Mitsubishi caribbean will mail a customer notification letter containing a written description and a graphic of the bi-lingual dashboard air bag warning label. In addition, all current 2000-2004 nativa owners will also receive replacement air bag alert labels for the sun visors. This recall is…
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V338000 · 2015 · 443,442 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the…
Why it matters: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
The fix: Mmna will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015.
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E026000 · 2006 · 61,944 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E060000 · 2006 · 87,745 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and May possibly result in a vehicle crash
The fix: Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2006.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 10 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Body & structure (31): the most common themes are leaks (4), rust / corrosion (3), door / lock issues (2).
- Transmission & drivetrain (20): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (9), noise or vibration (8), leaks (3).
- Engine & cooling (12): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (5), leaks (5), noise or vibration (3).
- Airbags (10): the most common themes are fails to deploy (7).
The 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse has 124 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 23 Eclipse model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 93). Complaints peaked in 2003 (21 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 36,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (73 complaints, 2 recalls), 2004 (14 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S4) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S4) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S4) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse problems?
Owners have filed 124 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are body & structure (31), transmission & drivetrain (20), engine & cooling (12).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse get?
EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (2.4 L, Manual 5-spd), across 8 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.