2004 Mitsubishi ECLIPSE: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 10127847 · 2005-07-07 (July 7, 2005)
CAR WAS PARKED WITH EBRAKE PULLED UPWARDS TO HOLD CAR IN PLACE. THE 04 ECLIPSE GT ROLLED BACKWARDS OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT AND JUMPED THE CURB HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. 04 ECLIPSE TAKEN TO MITSUBISHI ON 7/7/05 AND THEY ADJUSTED THE EBREAK SAYING TI WAS LOOSE.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10127847 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10134086 · 2005-08-24 (August 24, 2005)
MY MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER 2004 [XXX], DONE NEARLY 21,000 MILES MET WITH AN ACCIDENT ON JULY 25, 2005. IT VEERED OFF THE ROAD, WENT DOWNHILL FOR OVER TWENTY FEET AND COLLIDED HEAD-ON WITH A TREE TO COME TO A HALT. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. DESPITE THE FRONT-ENDED CRASH, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO INFLATE. THE SEVERITY OF THE CRASH IS EVIDENT FROM THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CATEGORIZED AS A "TOTAL LOSS" BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I BELIEVE THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT. UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10134086 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10141192 · 2005-10-29 (October 29, 2005)
THE RUBBERS ON MY 2004 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER IS ALWAYS LEAKING WATER INTO THE CAR, CREATING A MOLD SMELL, DESTROYING THE SPEAKERS, ECT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THEM ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO OR LESS, AND THEY ARE LEAKING AGAIN ON THE CONVERTIBLE TOP, MAKING MY SEAT BELT WET, WHICH I BELIEVE IS A HAZARD IF IN A ACCIDENT, MY SEAT, AND FLOORS, NOT TO MENTION IT IS LEAKING INTO THE DOOR PANELS. MY SON HAS FALLEN OUT OF THE CAR SLIPPING ON THE WATER ON THE DOOR PANEL, NOT THAT HE NEEDED A AMBULANCE BUT GOT A FAT LIP WHEN HE PUT HIS TEETH INTO THEM WHEN…
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10141192 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10148878 · 2006-01-27 (January 27, 2006)
ON SECOND DAY OF OWNERSHIP I HEARD A VERY LOUD METAL CRACKING SOUND WHILE SITTING IN THE CAR PREPARING TO DRIVE. CAR WAS NOT STARTED OR MOVING). UPON INSPECTION THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DEFECT. ABOUT A WEEK LATER I HAD AN IDENTICAL EXPERIENCE. THIS TIME I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE BODY SEAM LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE DOOR WOULD NO LONGER CLOSE PROPERLY , AND I IMMEDIATELY SCHEDULED A REPAIR APPOINTMENT. THE DEALERSHIP ADJUSTED THE DOOR AND ASSURED ME THAT THE CRACK IN THE FRAME WAS ONLY COSMETIC. THE CRACK WAS FILLED AND PAINTED AND …
Owner-reported narrative. 450 miles reported. Look up ODI 10148878 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 10283044 · 2009-09-07 (September 7, 2009)
CLEARCOAT PEELING OFF MITSUBISHI-DEFECTIVE PAINT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10283044 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10290170 · 2009-10-28 (October 28, 2009)
I HAVE A 2004 BLACK MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE THAT THE PAINT HAS BEEN FALLING OFF OF, JUST LIKE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS. THE PAINT STARTED DELAMINATING ABOUT 3YEARS AGO AND JUST PROGRESSED FROM THERE. THE CAR LOOKS HORRIBLE! MITSUBISHI HAS BEEN DOWNRIGHT RUDE RE: THIS MATTER. THEY WILL NOT FIX THE PAINT ISSUE DUE TO CAR BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10290170 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V442000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2003-11-04 (November 4, 2003)
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.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V312000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2004-06-29 (June 29, 2004)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE IMPROPERLY MOLDED.
Consequence: BREAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A LEAKAGE OF FUEL AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, IT COULD RESULT A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V428000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2004-09-01 (September 1, 2004)
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.
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: 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 EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2005. THE NOTIFICATION TO THE NATIVA OWNERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL OR MAY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI CARIBBEAN AT 1-787-251-8715.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V338000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2015-06-02 (June 2, 2015)
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 affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.
Consequence: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Remedy: 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. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.
NHTSA campaign record ↗