2008 Mitsubishi ECLIPSE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
71 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
71,937 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 47 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 50 of 71 complaints (70.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 58 | 81.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 2.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.4% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 50 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 7 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
Service Brakes: 50; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 7; Air Bags: 6; Electrical System: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Engine: 2; Power Train: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 14 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 14; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 24 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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 28 |
| 2016 | 19 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 3; 2014: 7; 2015: 28; 2016: 19; 2017: 3; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2021: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 58 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10429463 · 2011-10-11 (October 11, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, HE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. AS A RESULT, HE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE A REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10429463 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10511664 · 2013-05-13 (May 13, 2013)
WHEN BRAKING TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXPERIENCED A LONGER THAN NORMAL PEDAL STROKE RESULTING IN A REAR END COLLISION. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE 2006 ECLIPSE HAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. 2007-2008 ECLIPSES SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED TO FIX THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM. THERE ARE SEVERAL ONLINE POSTS DESCRIBING THIS PROBLEM ON A 2008 ECLIPSE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10511664 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10466631 · 2012-07-19 (July 19, 2012)
MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED STARTING. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY SO I HAD THAT REPLACED, BUT UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT MY STARTER HAD GONE BAD. I HAD THE STARTER REPLACED IN AUGUST OF 2011 (THAT'S TOO SOON FOR A 2008). ON JULY 16, 2012 I HAD TO HAVE ANOTHER BRAND NEW STARTER INSTALLED IN MY ECLIPSE. TWO BRAND NEW STARTERS IN LESS THAN A YEAR IS UNACCEPTABLE AND IT MAKES IT WORSE THAT THE CAR IS A 2008. I FEEL LIKE MITSUBISHI NEEDS TO DO A RECALL ON THIS PART. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10466631 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11737358 · 2026-05-12 (May 12, 2026)
Wiring harness for air bag system that is under driver seat severed by normal seat movement
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11737358 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10821530 · 2016-01-21 (January 21, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INDEPENDENTLY INTO THE REVERSE POSITION, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, RIGHT ARM, AND FINGERS. THE CONTACT ALSO SUFFERED FROM A LARGE HEMATOMA ON THE RIGHT HIP. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED FOR THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10821530 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11590989 · 2024-05-28 (May 28, 2024)
The contact owns a 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, for unknown reasons, he veered off the road, traveled over a hill, and crashed into a dirt pile. The steering wheel air bag failed to deploy. The contact had previously unplugged, the passenger seat air bag. The air bag and check engine warning lights were illuminated. After the crash, the curtain and driver's seat air bag were deployed. The contact noticed the passenger's side rear tire was low and had a slash in the side wall. The contact sustained wh…
Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11590989 at NHTSA ↗