2004 Mitsubishi ECLIPSE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
38,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 14 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 14.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 14.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Structure | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Air:Controls:Hand Control/Valve | 1 |
Air Bags: 3; Structure:Body: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Structure: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine: 1; Service Brakes, Air:Controls:Hand Control/Valve: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2004: 1; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2009: 3; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10780005 · 2015-10-06 (October 6, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO STOP. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 15V337000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10780005 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10906428 · 2016-09-14 (September 14, 2016)
BRAKES WILL INTERMITTEDLY NOT RESPOND TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. CAR HAS NOW BEEN INVOLVED IN TWO REAR END COLLISIONS IN 3 MONTHS. REPAIR SHOP CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED. CAR WAS GOING 25 MPH BOTH TIMES IN TWO CITIES WHEN THE CAR FAILED TO BRAKE.
Owner-reported narrative. 146,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10906428 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10104963 · 2004-12-16 (December 16, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH AND TRYING TO GO AROUND ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE STEERING LOCKED. THIS WAS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED, CAUSING A COLLISION. *AK ........DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10104963 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10255583 · 2009-01-19 (January 19, 2009)
PROBLEM: HARNESS. EVERY TIME I LIFT THE STEERING WHEEL UP, THE ENGINE TURNS OFF. I HAVE TRIED TO GO TO THE MITSUBISHI DEALER AND TO HONDA SIERRA WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR (USED) AND THEY DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. I WAS LIKE A TENNIS BALL, SO, I GOT TIRED OF IT. I EVEN SEND A LETTER TO HONDA SIERRA TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I BOUGHT IF DEFECTIVE. UNFORTUNATELY, I DID NOT GET A RESPONSE. REPAIR COST MORE THAN 300 DOLLARS. I DON'T HAVE MONEY YET, AND IM STILL HOPEFUL THAT EITHER OF THE TWO PARTIES ARE WILLING TO WORK WITH THE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10255583 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10479881 · 2012-10-12 (October 12, 2012)
MY MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPUTTERS AND DIES WHEN THERE IS LESS THAN 1/2 TANK FUEL. MITSUBISHI 2004 HAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE. MITSUBISHI CLAIMS MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED ON A DIFFERENT PRODUCTION LINE, THEREFORE, IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. REALLY? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10479881 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11433597 · 2021-09-20 (September 20, 2021)
Electrical cable for Fuel Pump caught fire. My daughter was able to park and exit the car safely before it combusted but it took 8 minutes for the car to basically explode. I think this is very dangerous for a family with kids or someone that wouldn't be as fast as my kid to get out of the car. We found out the same car/year has a recall but this was not issued to my specific vehicle. https://www.kbb.com/mitsubishi/eclipse/2004/recall/ I requested Mitsubishi Motors to check the car and give me compensation and they denied. We have a case numbe…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11433597 at NHTSA ↗